EPISODE · Dec 23, 2025 · 34 MIN
"Somebody Has to Say It": Standing up for yourself and your sector
from Small Nonprofit: Fundraising Tips, Leadership Strategies, and Community-Centric Solutions · host Further Together: Fundraising Strategies for Nonprofit Organizations
Send us Fan MailEver wondered how to critique the nonprofit sector while leading an organization within it? Join Maria Rio for a conversation with Amber Hamilton, President and CEO of the Memphis Music Initiative, who went viral for saying what every nonprofit leader thinks but won't say out loud. Amber shares why humor became her weapon of choice; creating satirical videos that called out philanthropy's racist funding practices, absurd application processes, and performative accountability measures. She is simultaneously running a grant-making organization that proves it can all be done differently. She tackles the real price Black women pay for speaking truth to power, why somebody has to be willing to say "the emperor is wearing no clothes," and how telling the truth (even when it's uncomfortable) ultimately works in your favor.Because if one more data sheet or think piece was going to change philanthropy, it would've happened by now. Resources:Connect with Amber Hamilton on LinkedInMemphis Music Initiative YouTube Channel- where the viral satirical videos are hostedAmber Says The Things - Amber's speaking and coaching websiteMemphis Music Initiative WebsiteSupport the show
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Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how to critique the nonprofit sector while leading an organization within it? Join Maria Rio for a conversation with Amber Hamilton, President and CEO of the Memphis Music Initiative, who went viral for saying what every nonprofit leader thinks but won't say out loud. Amber shares why humor became her weapon of choice; creating satirical videos that called out philanthropy's racist funding practices, absurd application processes, and performative acc...
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"Somebody Has to Say It": Standing up for yourself and your sector
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