LaTosha Brown is a force of nature—a visionary thought leader, groundbreaking institution builder, cultural activist, and dynamic artist whose impact reverberates across
the realms of Black voting rights, women’s empowerment, and transformative philanthropy. As a vibrant nexus between the Civil Rights Movement, the Black Power
Movement, and Black Lives Matter, Brown harnesses her powerful platform to bridge disparate worlds and ignite change.
Her tireless work has not only raised millions for grassroots groups across the nation but has also directly granted over $40 million to organizations in the South and Midwest. These remarkable achievements are fueling a seismic shift in the political landscape, amplifying the voices and power of marginalized Black communities.
In addition to her trailblazing work in voter advocacy, LaTosha Brown is the visionary founder and co-anchor of the Southern Black Girls & Women’s Consortium. This
audacious $100 million, 10-year initiative is redefining philanthropy by investing in organizations led by Black women and girls in the South, ensuring that every phase—from conception to execution—is deeply rooted in their experiences and leadership.
Brown’s commitment to empowerment extends to academia with the groundbreaking Power, Innovation, and Leadership executive leadership program at Harvard Kennedy School. Designed to be a transformative resource for high-impact women leaders uplifting Black women and girls, this program exemplifies Brown’s dedication to expanding influence and fostering deep, meaningful connections.
Her groundbreaking work has earned her a spot on the 2024 Forbes 50 Over 50 Impact list and prestigious accolades such as Glamour Magazine’s “Women of the Year” in 2021, the 2023 Women of Vision Award from the Ms. Foundation, and the 2021 Rosa Parks Award, among others. Brown’s influence is further recognized through her numerous fellowships, including as a 2020 Hauser Leader and a 2020-2021 American Democracy Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School. LaTosha’s impact is truly global, with her work spanning 23 countries, including Kenya, Guyana, and Brazil, all aimed at empowering women across the Diaspora. She is also a celebrated cultural leader and jazz and soul singer, performing across the country and
working on a captivating one-woman show. Her artistic endeavors and cultural events are dedicated to amplifying the voices and narratives of Black women.
In the media landscape, Brown’s thought leadership shines through features on MSNBC, CNN, PBS, and other major outlets. Her op-eds in The New York Times and Essence, along with her appearances in docuseries like “What’s Eating America?”, “Finding Justice,” and “Battleground Georgia,” highlight her profound influence and
insights. Beyond her groundbreaking work, LaTosha Brown serves on several boards and advisory committees, including the Progressive Caucus Center, CARE Action, the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, and the Harvard Institute of Politics. As an IMPACT Partner with Level Forward and an ambassador for the Congressional Black Caucus NREI Task Force for Social Justice, she is relentless in her pursuit of social justice and equity.
For more about LaTosha Brown’s transformative work and initiatives, visit www.ms.latoshabrown.com.
I often say it’s not our politics that will save us but our humanity. The work is the process. The people are the purpose. That’s the foundation of everything we do at Black Voters Matter.
I see my work as an expression of love, and I believe that love of humanity is the reason why we get things done. The work itself – the structure, the strategy, the organizing – that’s the container. That’s how we get it done. But we can never lose sight of why. We find ourselves in this moment because in many ways we’ve moved away from centering humanity. We’ve let our politics erode the way we see each other.
What feeds my spirit is my belief in people and the understanding that it has always been the power of united people that makes change. So I lead by keeping that spirit alive – by never forgetting that our work is ultimately about the love we have for our communities and for each other. Structure without spirit is just bureaucracy. Spirit without structure is just a moment. We need both to build movements that last.
I don’t know if I ever became an activist. Instead, I see myself as someone who always, even as a child, cared about people and was always intrigued with power. I always wanted to know who has the power to change things. Even as a little child, I would often ask my grandmother or other adults who was in charge when we would go into any store or establishment. I always wanted to know who had the power to make decisions or the power to change circumstances. That curiosity never left me.
When I was a young woman, I got recruited to organize in public housing. There was a woman named Ms. Caroline who taught me something foundational: that organizing is about relationship. She showed me that real change doesn’t happen through transactions or programs alone – it happens when we see each other’s humanity and build authentic connections rooted in trust and care. That lesson shaped everything. It taught me that power isn’t just about who’s in charge – it’s about what we can build together when we truly see and value one another.
There’s a Bible verse that says perfect love drives out all fear, and I truly believe that love is the vehicle that makes the difference. But I think love is not just the kind that makes us feel warm and fuzzy. Love also holds us accountable and to truth. Love is not just an emotion – it’s a value. I think of it as the highest expression of humanity.
It’s the thing that makes us struggle together, to have difference without destroying each other, holding each other at the highest standard because we believe in each other’s ability to transform. Love offers the possibility of redemption. Love forgives, but it also acknowledges that harm has caused pain and repents.
When I face opposition, I try to remember that we’re all human beings who’ve been shaped by our experiences. My faith has been such a cornerstone to my view of the world. I seek wisdom, understanding, and spiritual grounding from the Bible, and it reminds me that even in moments of conflict, we’re called to lead with love. That doesn’t mean we’re soft or that we don’t fight for what’s right. It means we fight harder – but we never lose sight of the humanity in everyone, including those who oppose us. That’s what sustains us for the long haul.
Understanding that everything is an opportunity to learn, improve, and evolve. Everything. My grandmother would often say, “What the devil meant for harm, God can use for your good.” I carry that wisdom with me every single day.
Every setback, every challenge, every closed door – they’re all opportunities for growth and transformation. When you approach life and work with that mindset, nothing can stop you. You’re always moving forward, even when it doesn’t feel like it. The obstacles become the pathway. The resistance becomes the teacher. And what looks like an ending is often just a new beginning you couldn’t have imagined before.
My mother, Rosetta Gamble Brown. She integrated her high school at the age of 16 and was part of a landmark case in Mobile that integrated public high schools in the state of Alabama. Over the years, I’ve come to really understand how strong she was and how she opened a path for me and so many others to have access to educational opportunities.
I miss my Rosey Posey every day. She died of breast cancer in 2016, but her legacy lives on – not just in the history books, but in every door that was opened because of her courage, and in the work I do today. She taught me what it means to fight for what’s right, even when you’re young, even when you’re afraid. She showed me that one person’s bravery can change the trajectory of countless lives. Her courage didn’t just open doors – it showed me that love and determination can transform the world, and that legacy of hope is what I carry forward every day.
Music and community. I am a musician, and I incorporate music into my work in every way I can. I use it to organize, to inspire, and even to express what I feel. Music is the heartbeat of movement work – it brings people together, lifts spirits, and helps us remember why we’re here. There’s something about a song that can say what speeches can’t, that can heal what logic can’t touch.
And community is everything. We aren’t meant to do this work – or live this life – alone. Community holds us when we’re tired. Community celebrates with us when we win. Community reminds us who we are when we forget. I couldn’t do any of this without the people around me, and I wouldn’t want to.
I’m watching people reclaim a sense of community. People are starting to reclaim what really matters and lean more into community care, family, into their neighborhoods, and into real connection with one another. I believe this is an opportunity for people to truly focus on what really matters.
But I also feel like people are being forced to face themselves and stand up for what they believe. I think we are in an era where everyone is being revealed. Because of all that is happening in our nation, we can see who is willing to stand up for what is right.
This is a moment of truth – we’re witnessing who has the courage to stand up for democracy, who has the clarity to tell the truth, and who has the love in their heart to fight for others. We’re seeing who has the deep sense of humanity to stand up to anything that doesn’t center people.
This is an era where many must stand in their truth, a moment where what people truly value is being revealed. And while that can be painful, it’s also clarifying. It separates what’s real from what’s performative. It shows us who our true allies are. And ultimately, I believe that clarity – as hard as it is – will help us build the world we need.
By far, the Bible. My faith has been such a cornerstone to my view of the world. I seek wisdom, understanding, and spiritual grounding from scripture, and it shapes how I see everything – justice, leadership, community, love. It’s not just a book I read; it’s the lens through which I understand my purpose and my calling.
Right now, I’m also deeply inspired by the documentary Love, Joy and Power, which tells the story of Black Voters Matter’s work. It’s currently on the festival circuit, and seeing our movement captured on film has been incredibly moving. It reminds me of what’s possible when we lead with love and organize with purpose.
I have so many favorite films, but I’m currently obsessed with Andor, which is part of the Star Wars series. There are so many parallels to what we are currently experiencing in this nation. I believe there are so many lessons about love, friendship, and freedom in that series that speak to this moment. It’s about ordinary people rising up against overwhelming systems of oppression – and isn’t that the story we’re living right now?
