The presidential candidacy of Vice President Kamala Harris highlights the considerable impact that Black women have on America, showcasing their education, power, and influence in elections and beyond. Black women serve as essential, multi-dimensional leaders across various sectors, including politics, non-profit organizations, entrepreneurship, and corporate leadership. Their contributions merit acknowledgment and respect.
Yet, Black women leaders in North Carolina face a host of challenges that hinder their effectiveness and visibility. Key obstacles include intersectional discrimination, which combines racial and gender biases, alongside a stark lack of representation in leadership roles. Workplace biases further complicate hiring and promotion processes, impeding their professional advancement. Limited access to networking opportunities and mentorship stifles their growth, while the demands of juggling multiple responsibilities can lead to burnout.
Tracey Greene-Washington is tackling these challenges head-on. Tracey is a Black woman leader in North Carolina committed to creating more opportunities for Women of Color. Based in Charlotte, she is an entrepreneur, award winning author, Tedx speaker, and philanthropist dedicated to driving social change. Her initiatives focus on amplifying the voice and impact of women who confront cultural stereotypes and challenges, helping them to step into leadership roles, particularly in the philanthropic and nonprofit arena. Originally from Asheville, Tracey is a certified coach through the Coach Diversity Institute and holds bachelor's and master's degrees in social work.
As a thought leader and strategic partner in the national philanthropic and social change movement, Tracey has expanded her influence and reach by providing strategic thought partnership and consulting support to diverse philanthropic entities across the country and most recently five prominent women-led giving circles across the country, in collaboration with Philanthropy Together, Philanos, and the Community Investment Network.
Tracey serves as the President of Indigo Innovation Group, a consulting firm dedicated to working with philanthropic, nonprofit, and public/private organizations to drive systemic change through systems change, equity and strategic partnerships. She is also the founder of CoThinkk, a BIPOC-led philanthropic initiative designed to foster systems change in Western North Carolina, with an emphasis on strategic investments, racial equity, network-building, and civic engagement.
In addition to her consulting work, Tracey is a social entrepreneur and co-owner of NoGrease Northlake, Razored Technologies and No Grease Premium Barbershops, in partnership with her husband, Edmund Washington.
In recognition of her dedication and commitment to her work, Tracey recently received the Black Women Give Back Award. This annual honor celebrates ten distinguished philanthropists and funders who have made a significant positive impact on the lives of Black women and girls around the globe. The Reunity Ceremony brings together diverse Black and allied communities to honor these leaders, mark the end of Black Philanthropy Month, kick off the global Black giving season, and acknowledge the UN's International Day for People of African Descent at the close of August.
Tracey’s nomination for the Black Women Give Back Award highlights her notable contributions across multiple platforms, showcasing her profound impact in the field. She has provided consulting services to philanthropic and nonprofit organizations, as well as private and public sectors. Furthermore, Tracey actively participates in two giving circles—the NGAAP and the Women’s Impact Fund in Charlotte—demonstrating her deep commitment to the giving circle movement.
This award comes at a pivotal time as CoThinkk celebrates its tenth anniversary. Founded in 2014, CoThinkk is a philanthropy organization focused on social change, operating as a giving circle that prioritizes shared leadership, equity, systems change, and systemic transformation. Spearheaded by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Latine, and Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander) leaders, CoThinkk tackles pressing social challenges and advocates for racial equity in Western North Carolina (WNC). Over the past decade, CoThinkk has distributed nearly $1 million to support a variety of initiatives through strategic grants, self-care stipends, coaching support, and capacity-building efforts.
With more than 25 years of experience addressing complex social issues, Tracey has emerged as a distinguished female leader dedicated to fostering meaningful change for women in North Carolina, across the nation, and around the world through collaboration and strategic risk-taking.
Virgil L. Smith formerly served as president and publisher of the Asheville Citizen-Times and Vice President for Human Resources for the Gannett Company. He is the principal for the Smith Edwards Group and the author of "The Keys to Effective Leadership.” He is the founder and a writer for Carolina Commentary.
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