Welcome!
I’m Khayriyyah (kuh-RYE-yah)
MuhammadSmith
I have over a decade of experience working in the philanthropy and nonprofit realms. And yes, I know I look pretty young to have spent that much time working in philanthropy, but over the last 15 years, I've helped plan, conduct sessions, and participated in more than 12 youth philanthropy conferences across the country. It’s amazing what happens when you give young people the decision-making power! My time spent serving on the Michigan Community Foundation’s Youth Project (MCFYP), working with Youth Philanthropy Connect through the Freida C. Fox Family Foundation, the Foundation Center (now Candid), and the Young Funding Network in the UK has shown me the empowering effect youth empowerment can have throughout the US and across the globe. I was selected as a member of NYC’s inaugural cohort of Community Fellows through the Institute for Nonprofit Practice. I have also worked with the PCLB Foundation, Ashinaga USA, ELMA Philanthropies Services (U.S.), and currently work as a Philanthropy Advisor with Geneva Global where I collaborate with high-net-worth individuals, families, and foundations to develop and implement strategic philanthropic plans.
As a young woman of color, I understand what it is like to have people talk about you instead of to you. This is why I always strive to be a well-informed and collaborative co-conspirator in any work that I do. I had an amazing opportunity to support asylum-seekers in securing additional aid during my time with the British Red Cross as a Refugee Grant Writer.
I love conducting research! Qualitative to be exact. I believe in the importance of data that shows a complete picture and always try to incorporate elements of both qualitative and quantitative methods into my research projects. I’ve traveled to France to conduct an independent research project on far-right youth politics, worked with girls’ empowerment organizations to learn more about cross-cultural exchanges, and researched global youth grantmaking initiatives to help launch Youthgiving.org.
My education is the most valuable possession I have come to own. Through opportunities like studying abroad and being an international student, I’ve been able to learn so much about the larger world and myself. These experiences have also made me a passionate advocate for the right to access quality education and sexual reproductive health information--especially for girls across the world. I hope to seize more opportunities to work with education initiatives, girls’ empowerment in the Global South, and cross-cultural exchange. I have also served as a GirlSPARKS Goodwill Ambassador where I raised awareness on their engaging Girl-Centered Design method.
I attended Oakland University where I earned BA Honors Degrees in International Relations and French Literature and Language. I also earned my MA in Human Rights, Culture, and Social Justice at Goldsmiths, University of London.
Contributing to work for positive, sustainable change is something I am always trying to incorporate into my everyday life. I currently serve as a Junior Board Member for the First Tech Fund, am a proud Lifetime Girl Scout and Silver Award recipient, blogger for Girls Globe, served as a United Nations Advocacy Team Member for the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, interned with Me Too & Co., and volunteered with She’s the First in a variety of forms.
