LaTosha Brown

EXCLUSIVE
  • Political Strategist and Award-Winning National Organizer
  • Contributor to MSNBC, The New York Times, and More
  • Co-Founder, Black Voters Matter
  • Advocate for Democracy, Civic Engagement, Philanthropy, and Women's Empowerment

Award-winning community organizer, political strategist, and jazz singer LaTosha Brown is a trusted expert and resource in political strategy, rural development, and special programming for philanthropies. Brown is the co-Founder of Black Voters Matter Fund – a power-building southern-based civic engagement organization – leveraging over two decades of experience as a revered institution-builder in non-profit and philanthropy sectors. A renowned philanthropic consultant, she has served as an advisor for groups such as the Ford Foundation, Friends of New Orleans, and the Clinton Global Initiative for over 25 years, and is the principle owner of TruthSpeaks Consulting, Inc. Brown is the Visionary, Founder, and Co-Anchor of the Southern Black Girls & Women’s Consortium, a $100M, 10-year initiative to invest in organizations that serve Black women and girls. She has launched and served countless organizations with her nationally recognized expertise in issues related to social justice, economic and leadership development, wealth creation, and civil rights.

Brown has served as an American Democracy Fellow with the Charles Warren Center at Harvard University, and is a Senior Practice Fellow in American Democracy at the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard’s Kennedy School. She serves on the board of the National Coalition on Black Civic Engagement (NCBCP), the Southern Documentary Fund, and is an active member of several national and international organizations. She and her work have received numerous awards, including the Redbook Magazine Spirit and Strength Award, NCBCP’s Spirit of Democracy Award, the White House Champion of Change Award, the Philanthropy Women Breakthrough Award for Thought and Strategy Leadership, and many more. Sought after for her uplifting keynote speeches, Brown shares message of hope and shared humanity, inviting audiences to envision a future and a democracy we deserve.

 



LaTosha Brown photo 3
LaTosha Brown photo 2
LaTosha Brown headshot
Past Hosts Include:
  • William Paterson University
  • Benedictine University
  • Rowan University
Rave Reviews About LaTosha Brown as a Speaker
I just wanted to say, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! She was phenomenal!!! I received several comments including this one that said, “LATOSHA BROWN FOR PRESIDENT”. She came onto the stage singing with that powerful voice of hers and it set the tone for one of the most powerful messages that we have heard in a long time. The president of Rowan University enjoyed her message.

Commencement - Your very presence says you are deserving | Pitzer College [19:32] - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with LaTosha Brown
Expand all >

We the People: Mobilizing Voters, Strengthening Voting Rights & Combating Voter Suppression

Award-winning community organizer and political strategist LATOSHA BROWN discusses the biggest existential threat to American democracy in modern times: infringements on the guaranteed right to vote. Since 2014, over 33M American citizens have been dropped from voting rolls. Most have been moved fro ...

Award-winning community organizer and political strategist LATOSHA BROWN discusses the biggest existential threat to American democracy in modern times: infringements on the guaranteed right to vote. Since 2014, over 33M American citizens have been dropped from voting rolls. Most have been moved from the rolls due to a resurgence of voter suppression tactics and politics. Minority voters have been intentionally targeted with these efforts and are disproportionately impacted.

In this hopeful call for change, Brown lays out how, as voters and citizens, we can solve the voter suppression issue in ways that not only protects the right to vote but ultimately strengthens our democracy. Brown poses to audiences some of the most critical questions of our day:

  • How do we implement innovative practices and new political organizing models to reverse this trend?
  • How do we reinforce and expand America’s commitment to democracy? How do we inspire, engage, and motivate American citizens to participate in the political process?
  • Are we moving towards reflective democracy?

Trends in America’s Shifting Political Landscape

Award-winning community organizer and political strategist LATOSHA BROWN has seen America’s political landscape shift in both the global and domestic arenas in ways that threaten the foundation of this country as being a democratic nation. Brown explains the passage and implementation of deeply trou ...

Award-winning community organizer and political strategist LATOSHA BROWN has seen America’s political landscape shift in both the global and domestic arenas in ways that threaten the foundation of this country as being a democratic nation. Brown explains the passage and implementation of deeply troubling policies, state sanctioned acts, and legislation that impact the civil and human rights of immigrant groups, women, people of color, and the LGBTQ community.

Culture & Context Matters: Building Political Power through Storytelling and Strategic Messaging

Award-winning community organizer and political strategist LATOSHA BROWN proposes ways to rebuild trust in the American democratic system. Looking ahead, Brown discusses the impact of an era where people are receiving information and developing political ideologies through non-vetted social media ou ...

Award-winning community organizer and political strategist LATOSHA BROWN proposes ways to rebuild trust in the American democratic system. Looking ahead, Brown discusses the impact of an era where people are receiving information and developing political ideologies through non-vetted social media outlets, political soundbites, and opinion-based news networks.

The Power of Historically Disenfranchised Voters

Political organizer LATOSHA BROWN identifies the impact of historically disenfranchised voters on this election cycle and beyond, considering America’s ongoing demographic shifts. Brown examines the factors propelling increased representation, the impact of identity on the national political landsca ...

Political organizer LATOSHA BROWN identifies the impact of historically disenfranchised voters on this election cycle and beyond, considering America’s ongoing demographic shifts. Brown examines the factors propelling increased representation, the impact of identity on the national political landscape, and differences between previous and current social movements.

Instagram  Twitter 
(-)
Speaker News
<p><strong>LaTosha Brown activates voters for the 2024 election</strong></p>

LaTosha Brown activates voters for the 2024 election

Award-winning community organizer and political strategist LATOSHA BROWN addresses the ways voter disengagement threatens the foundations of this country. She empowers audiences to acknowledge and call out the challenges to democracy we are witnessing today. Brown highlights that while times are complicated, LaTosha offers a hopeful call for change by envisioning a path forward.

Watch LaTosha Brown in conversation with Yale University >>

Watch LaTosha Brown’s keynote at William Patterson U. >>

<p><strong>LaTosha Brown wins major Civil Rights Advocate Award</strong></p>

LaTosha Brown wins major Civil Rights Advocate Award

Award-winning community organizer and political strategist LATOSHA BROWN has been honored by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law honored Brown with the Civil Rights Advocate Award for her work in grassroots community organization. Brown is a Harvard Kennedy School of Government Fellow, board member of the National Coalition on Black Civic Engagement (NCBCP), and co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund, a power-building, southern-based civic engagement organization. Throughout her career, Brown has distinguished herself as a trusted expert and resource in political strategy, rural development, and special programming for several national and regional philanthropies.

Watch LaTosha Brown give Pitzer College’s commencement speech >>

Watch LaTosha Brown on MSNBC’s Hardball >>

<p><strong>LaTosha Brown is a national treasure, tailoring memorable messages of hope and shared humanity</strong></p>

LaTosha Brown is a national treasure, tailoring memorable messages of hope and shared humanity

When LATOSHA BROWN stopped by the Harry Walker Agency for a virtual visit, we were simply blown away by her high-energy message of hope and shared humanity. Ms. Brown is an award-winning organizer, political strategist, and consultant with over two decades of experience working in the non-profit and philanthropy sectors, and is perhaps best known for co-founding the Black Voters Matter Fund. Also an accomplished jazz singer, she kicked off the riveting virtual event with an incredible musical interlude, sharing her passion for connection through song as a reminder of our shared humanity. No stranger to the obstacles of advocating for social justice, political empowerment, economic development, and civil rights, Ms. Brown views the current political climate as an opportunity to be honest about the challenges and offers solution-oriented insights geared toward transforming our companies and communities through authenticity, connection, and joy – the laughter on our call was contagious!

As she says, Ms. Brown has the “unmitigated gall to believe humanity can be better,” drawing on her experience as an organizer and Black feminist thought leader to invite us to close our eyes and envision the future, and specifically the democracy, that we deserve. Ms. Brown compels us to consider the current, defining moment in our nation’s history and to reclaim our humanity – focus on the message we’re trying to share, calling one another in, and trusting that, as she affirms, “our greatest resource is each other.” A gifted and one-of-a-kind orator, Ms. Brown thoughtfully tailors each event, working with clients to understand what their unique audiences need to ensure the biggest impact possible. Our team described the resounding message of connection as spirit-lifting” and “amazing!” As she closed with a rendition of ‘This Little Light of Mine’, positivity erupted in our office, with folks jumping out of their seats to talk about what an impactful conversation Ms. Brown started that is sure to reverberate long after our memorable event.

<p>Case Study: LaTosha Brown speaks to a captivated audience at William Paterson University</p>

Case Study: LaTosha Brown speaks to a captivated audience at William Paterson University

Co-founder of Black Voters Matter, national organizer, political strategist, and fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, LATOSHA BROWN spoke to students, faculty, and staff at William Paterson University, delivering her 40 minute keynote “Protecting The Crown: Breaking Generational Curses," followed by a 30 minute Q&A. She is also an accomplished singer and full of electrifying energy, and seamlessly transitioned from spiritual song into her remarks. Eloquent and knowledgeable, Brown held the audience in the palm of her hand as she spoke, and evoked a powerful visualization of the students as the future of America. Brown spoke on her recent work and the current national conversation, and inspired students to redefine and protect the crown of Black identity, family, culture, and more. She received many rave reviews from the community for her captivating speech: Amazing! We need to bring her back again!,” “Definitely loved her message and her exchange with students!,” and LaTosha Brown was fire...great start to the month.”

Watch part of her speech here >>

<p><strong>LaTosha Brown, who was recently tapped to develop the Harvard Kennedy School’s “Combating Racism” school-wide initiative, is the grassroots organizer, educator, and speaker all audiences love!</strong></p>

LaTosha Brown, who was recently tapped to develop the Harvard Kennedy School’s “Combating Racism” school-wide initiative, is the grassroots organizer, educator, and speaker all audiences love!

You cannot turn on the TV without seeing LATOSHA BROWN speaking about the work she’s doing to advance racial justice and political power for marginalized people. Her organization, Black Voters Matter works to activate progressive power in the rural south. In a letter entitled “Combatting Racism”, the Dean of the Harvard Kennedy School outlined steps the graduate school will take to address this political moment, shift practices within the school, and expand offerings to students around racial justice. Fellow at the Kennedy School Center for Public Leadership, the Kennedy School Institute of Politics (IOP), Kennedy School Women and Public Policy Program (WAPPP) and the Kennedy School Hauser Institute for Civil Society, Brown will help launch “Teach-in Summer” — a summer of listening, learning, and galvanizing our community to action.

Asked to speak on the recent election and current political and social climate, Brown has appeared on CNN, CBS News, MSNBC, Pod Save America, and countless other outlets. Organizations rave, “I just wanted to say, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! She was phenomenal!!! LATOSHA BROWN FOR PRESIDENT! She came onto the stage singing with that powerful voice of hers and it set the tone for one of the most powerful messages that we have heard in a long time.” (Rowan University)

(-)
Press & Media
(-)
Ideas for Meeting Planners
(-)
Biography

LaTosha Brown

Co-founder of Black Voters Matter Fund, jazz singer, and fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government

LaTosha Brown is an award-winning community organizer, philanthropic consultant, jazz singer and political strategist with over twenty years of experience working in the non-profit and philanthropy sectors on a wide variety of issues related to social justice, economic development, leadership development, wealth creation and civil rights.

She is the co-founder of Black Voters Matter Fund, a power building southern based civic engagement organization that played an instrumental role in the 2017 Alabama U.S. Senate race.

Ms. Brown is also principal owner of TruthSpeaks Consulting, Inc., a professional facilitation and philanthropy advisory consulting business based in Atlanta, GA. For more than 25 years, she has served as a consultant and advisor for individual donors, various public foundations and private donors. Former Director of a funder working group of Neighborhood Funders Group (NFG).  GSP is comprised of Southern and national funders committed to improving the outcomes, conditions, and opportunities for those who are least well off socially, economically, and politically in the South.

She is a founding member of the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors’ Gulf Coast Fund for Community Renewal and Ecological Health and also served as fund’s first Executive Director. Under her leadership the Gulf Coast Fund gained national recognition, created strategic national partnerships and distributed over $6 million in re-granting dollars for community and coastal organizations in the gulf coast region.

Throughout her career, Ms. Brown has distinguished herself as a trusted expert and resource in community organizing, rural development and special programming for a number of national and regional philanthropies. She has consulted and advised foundations such as the Marguerite Casey Foundation, the Ford Foundation, Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation, the Black Belt Community Foundation, Friends of New Orleans, New World Foundation, Open Society Institute, Surdna Foundation, Community Foundation of South Alabama, Clinton Foundation, Clinton Global Initiative, Ibis Partners Investment Group and the Tides Foundation to name a few. 

As a native of Alabama, Ms. Brown has dedicated her life’s work towards organizing resources and supporting the development of community-based institutions in the South, particularly in the Black Belt and Gulf Coast regions. She has also worked as a trainer, speaker and facilitator in the international arena. She has traveled and/or presented to more than 23 countries abroad. She is currently working with the Guyanese Black Women’s Roundtable on a project that will provide training and increase funding and investment opportunities for women led institutions based in Guyana, South America. 

Ms. Brown is a well-respected leader that has led numerous initiatives, campaigns and special projects to empower marginalized communities in the South.  She is the founder of Saving OurSelves Coalition, a community-led disaster relief organization that helped hundreds of families in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the Southern Black Women Organizing Project that works to strengthen the network of Black women grassroots leaders in the South. She also currently serves as a board member for the National Coalition on Black Civic Engagement and the Southern Documentary Fund and is an active member of several national and international organizations.

She is the recipient of several national awards including the 2006 Redbook Magazine Spirit and Strength Award, 2007 Spirit of Democracy Award from the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, the Louis E. Burnham Award for Human Rights, the 2008 Emory Business School MLK Service Award, 2010 Audubon Award, the 2011 White House Champion of Change Award, and most recently the 2020 Breakthrough Award for Thought and Strategy Leadership from the Philanthropy Women magazine. Ms. Brown currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia.