Lifting As We Climb: Inspiring BIPOC Women Entrepreneurs with Ayris T. Scales, President & CEO Walker's Legacy

The Black Fundraisers's Podcast was founded in 2021 by Kia Croom, a 20-year nonprofit fund development professional and DEI champion. Learn more about Kia Croom at www.kiacroom.com. Email the Black Fundraisers' Podcast at [email protected] with show ideas, inquiries, advertising and more. Subscribe to the Black Fundraisers' Podcast wherever podcasts are available Connect with us on IG & Youtube @Blackfundraiserspodcast ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUEST Ayris T. Scales has built a strong reputation as a champion of women, entrepreneurs, and underinvested communities in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Scales has nearly 20 years of leadership experience at both the local and national levels addressing racial and gender inequities. In 2018, Ayris was appointed by DC Mayor Muriel Bowser to serve as the District’s official Chief Service Officer where she led Serve DC, the Mayor’s Office on Volunteerism and Partnerships. Scales has nearly 20 years of leadership experience at both the local and national levels addressing racial and gender inequities. In 2018, Ayris was appointed by DC Mayor Muriel Bowser to serve as the District’s official Chief Service Officer where she led Serve DC, the Mayor’s Office on Volunteerism and Partnerships. Scales utilizes a mission-centered approach to driving solutions which has led to transformative public-private partnerships with numerous global brands, as well as innovative policies and initiatives in which she has secured over $50M in funding, and overseen more than $100M in grants and subsidies. Ayris has centered her career on creating access, driving solutions, and amplifying authentic messaging. She has held leadership roles in Indianapolis, Savannah, Atlanta, Chicago, and Washington, DC in all three sectors. To learn more about Walker's Legacy visit: https://www.walkerslegacy.org/ This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

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Research indicates Black fundraisers bring incredible intrinsic motivation, passion and lived experience to their work, yet they are not experiencing inclusion within their organizations. Instead, they’re confronted by white supremacy, anti-Blackness and experience workplace racial trauma as a result. Tune in as we shed light on the challenges Black fundraisers contend with, and how they find the motivation to carry on in spite of them. Learn with us, as we explore next-in-class strategies for fund development, fundraising, diversity, equity and inclusion. Celebrate with us as we pay homage to Black culture. Lastly, join our network of fundraisers of color and allies as we elevate Black voices and push for a more equitable and inclusive sector. The Black Fundraisers’ Podcast was founded by Kia Croom, a 22-year fundraising maven who has raised nearly half a billion dollars in a variety of cause areas including but not limited to STEM, anti-poverty initiatives, education, health, HIV/AIDS, advocacy, children & youth, workplace development, re-entry and more. The Black Fundraisers’ Podcast is produced by Kia Croom Fundraising & Philanthropy, a full-scale, Black-woman-owned fundraising firm that works exclusively with organizations fighting the byproducts of structural racism (e.g. poverty, mass incarceration, education inequity, economic injustice and more. Visit www.kiacroom.com to learn more. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Black Fundraisers’ Podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.