Valaida Fullwood

VALAIDA FULLWOOD | Described an idea whisperer, Valaida brings a mix of unbridled imagination and a gift for harnessing wild ideas to her work as a writer, creative consultant and project strategist. Her client base ranges widely and her work centers on bringing social innovation in philanthropy, education and arts & culture. In short, she helps people and organizations drive bold ideas forward by guiding their projects and writing their stories.

Valaida is the award-winning author of Giving Back, a 400-page hardcover book profiling of stories of philanthropy among African Americans that was developed with photographer Charles Thomas. Giving Back, her first book, was named one of the 10 Best Black Books of 2011 and received the prestigious 2012 McAdam Book Award, which recognizes the most inspirational and useful new book for the nonprofit sector.

A born-and-bred North Carolinian, Valaida is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she majored in International Studies with a focus in Economics. For nearly a decade, she managed international development projects for major corporations, living and working overseas prior to establishing a Charlotte-based consulting practice.

Valaida's lifelong passion is bridging relationships and understanding across culture, race and nationality, which have propelled her travels to more than 20 countries, four continents and counting. Closer to home, she enjoys involvement with Charlotte ViewPoint, Community Investment Network, On Q Performing Arts and Wesley Heights Community Association and serves on the organizing committees of artistic and innovative forums, The Quasimodo Project, Pecha Kucha and TEDxCharlotte.

She blogs at valaida.com and blackgivesback.com and enjoys social media connections on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter at @ValaidaF and @BlkGivesBackCLT.