Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership Expert; Founding CEO of Silicon Valley Community Foundation; COO at Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
Emmett D. Carson Biography
Emmett D. Carson, Ph.D., is a leader in philanthropy, nonprofit management, and social innovation. Carson graduated Phi Beta Kappa in economics from Morehouse College and earned master's and doctorate degrees in public and international affairs from Princeton University. His early research at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, focusing on African American giving and volunteering, contributed to the development of ethnic philanthropy studies. Carson later became the first manager of the Ford Foundation's global grantmaking program on philanthropy and the nonprofit sector.
Carson served as president and CEO of The Minneapolis Foundation for 12 years, where he led community initiatives addressing social issues and oversaw significant asset growth. He then became the founding CEO of Silicon Valley Community Foundation, guiding the merger of two major community foundations. Under Carson's leadership, the foundation's assets grew substantially, and it became the largest community foundation in the United States, distributing grants to organizations in 66 countries.
Carson has published more than 100 works on philanthropy, social justice, public accountability, and African American giving. He has been recognized by Nonprofit Times as one of the most influential nonprofit leaders in the United States and has received honorary degrees from Indiana University, Morehouse College, Becker College, and The National Hispanic University. Carson was the inaugural Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Chair on Community Foundations at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Carson has contributed to the creation of institutions, programs, and research aimed at advancing equity in society. After his tenure at Silicon Valley Community Foundation, he served as chief operating officer of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles, where he established operational systems and identified strategies for various business functions. Carson continues his scholarly work at the Valdry Center for Philanthropy, focusing on Black philanthropy and presenting research at the Association of Fundraising Professionals conference.
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Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Emmett D. Carson for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Emmett D. Carson, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Emmett D. Carson or any other speaker of your choice. -
What are the speaker fees for Emmett D. Carson
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What topics does Emmett D. Carson speak about?
Emmett D. Carson is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Anti-Racism, Business Leadership, DEI, Disruptive Thinking, Entrepreneurship, Ethics & Integrity, Executive Leadership, Leadership, Non-Profit, Philanthropy, Social Activism, Social Entrepreneurship, Thought Leadership -
Where does Emmett D. Carson travel from?
Emmett D. Carson generally travels from Atlanta, GA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent. -
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Emmett D. Carson is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Emmett D. Carson for your event is available upon request. Emmett D. Carson generally travels from Atlanta, GA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Arthur C. Brooks, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, Craig Newmark, Marc Kielburger and Frederick J. Riley. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Emmett D. Carson for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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