“An idea is salvation by imagination.” — Frank Lloyd Wright

Described an “idea whisperer,” Valaida Fullwood brings 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 interests center on social innovation in philanthropy, education and the arts. In short, she helps people and organizations drive bold ideas forward by guiding their projects and by 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.”

Since the release of Giving Back, Fullwood is recognized a thought leader on African American philanthropy and is frequently invited by a variety of groups to write, talk and consult on the topic. She is featured in a 2013 TEDx Talk on philanthropy and was selected the 2014 Lake Distinguished Visitor at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University—the first African American to receive the honor. She was named a 2012 Charlotte Catalyst by Uptown Magazine.

A born-and-bred North Carolinian, Valaida has deep hometown roots in Morganton and is 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 economic development projects for major corporations, living and working overseas prior to establishing a Charlotte-based consulting practice.

Her primary passions are foreign cultures and international exploration. Perpetual wanderlust has led her to more than twenty countries, four continents and counting. Closer to home, she throws delicious parties and thrives from social and philanthropic involvement with Community Investment Network and On Q Performing Arts, as well as the innovative forums Pecha Kucha and TEDxCharlotte. She is a founding member of New Generation of African American Philanthropists—a giving circle that gives back.

Valaida is a contributing writer for the blog BlackGivesBack.com. She also blogs, blogs, blogs at valaida.com and enjoys social media connections on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter at @ValaidaF and @BlkGivesBackCLT. As a writer and public speaker, she enjoys sharing stories and engaging audiences around Giving Back and looks forward to publishing more books.

More here.

“All the forces in the world are not so powerful as an idea whose time has come.” — Victor Hugo