Power, Philanthropy, and Drag with Michael Barrett Jones

Michael Barrett Jones - Activist, Director of a Nonprofit and Storyteller —joins Mattie Bynum and Shane Lucas as he shares a powerful journey from grassroots HIV activism to leading fundraising efforts that center equity and inclusion. Reflecting on his time at Iris House, he unpacks how women of color were historically excluded from funding and strategy conversations—and what it means to challenge that. He also opens up about how his drag persona, Witty Repartee, helped him find confidence and voice in both performance and advocacy spaces. Through humor and honesty, Michael illustrates how identity, art, and activism intersect in his life. This episode is a story of growth, accountability, and using your platform with intention.

Guest descriptors:

Insightful, Theatrical, Unapologetic

Episode tags:

#philanthropy #LGBTQ #activism #Fundraising #Strategy #HIVadvocacy #racial #equity #drag #performance #community #organizing #socialjustice #nonprofitleadership #queervoices

Tags again:

#philanthropy   #fundraisingstrategy    #HIVadvocacy #racialequity #dragperformance #communityorganizing #socialjustice #nonprofitleadership #queervoices

Tags again:

#LGBTQ #activism #fundraisingstrategy #philanthropy  #HIVadvocacy #racialequity #dragperformance #communityorganizing #socialjustice #nonprofitleadership #queervoices