Akilah S. Wallace

Akilah S. Wallace, collectively has 20+ years of expertise in nonprofit leadership, events, and fund development, and is most passionate about grassroots social change and influencing the emerging generation of Black philanthropists. Most recently she served as Vice President of Development at Big Thought, where she oversaw a $7 million contributed revenue budget to equip and empower youth to create their best lives and world. Akilah's past work as executive director for Faith in Texas gained her national attention while leading community organizing campaigns, public policy change and the launch of a bail fund, impacting the lives of countless Texans.

Now, representing a culmination of love for bridging community-based initiatives with much-needed resources, Akilah provides consulting services through JAMYCE. Working on social impact projects with passionate change agents and advocates seeking equitable philanthropy, financial and in-kind support, revenue capacity building and strengthened organizational operations.

Akilah’s philanthropic leadership includes the founding of HERitage Giving Fund, a Black women’s giving circle that has awarded $100,000+ in grants to Black womxn-led nonprofits/programs and #BlackDFWGives, an educational and inspiring, online initiative seeking to elevate platforms for philanthropy education, charitable giving and a pipeline for philanthropists of color.

Distinguished honors include the Inaugural Black Women Give Back List presented by Women's Philanthropy Institute, Black Philanthropy Month and The WISE Fund, Young Black and Giving Back Institute's Philanthropist of the Year, the Dallas Business Journal 40 Under 40 Award and The Dallas Foundation Top 10 Good Works Under 40 Award. Akilah is a founding member of Power in Action, charter member of the Texas Women's Foundation’s XIX Society and a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Her servant leadership includes the board of directors for Friends of Juanita J. Craft House and Museum and The Dallas Summit.

Akilah is a former Dallas Public Voices Greenhouse, Op Ed fellow and sought-after public speaker.

At home, Akilah is the proud mother to HBCU student and businessman, Jamel and student-athlete, Jayce.

Her mantra is: “There is no royal flower-strewn path to success. And if there is, I have not found it for if I have accomplished anything in life it is because I have been willing to work hard." – Madame C.J. Walker