Who we are
Who we are
See Her. Hear Her. Let Her Lead
About Let Her lead
At Let Her Lead, we are committed to championing the authentic leadership of Black women in predominantly White religious spaces. Through storytelling, education, and collaboration, we strive to foster dialogue, build understanding, and dismantle barriers that hinder equity, visibility, and thriving leadership.
We recognize the unique challenges that Black women face in these environments—often navigating systemic biases and historical inequities while striving to lead authentically. Let Her Lead was founded to amplify their voices, honor their contributions, and inspire transformative change within these spaces.
What We’re About
Our work is rooted in creating opportunities for connection, education, and action. We aim to empower Black women to step boldly into their leadership roles while engaging White religious leaders as allies in this transformative journey. Through a collaborative approach, we envision a future where every leader can thrive authentically, and every community can benefit from diverse, inclusive leadership.
Why It Matters
Let Her Lead isn’t just about leadership—it’s about transformation. By amplifying voices, building bridges, and fostering collaboration, we are creating a movement that challenges the status quo and sets the stage for equity, authenticity, and empowerment in every space we touch.
Our 4 Pillars
Amplify Voices
We believe every story matters. Through workshops, storytelling, and media like documentaries and books, we bring Black women’s experiences to the forefront giving their voices the platform they deserve.
Equip Allies
Change begins with understanding. We provide training, resources, and actionable steps to help White religious leaders address biases, foster equity, and create truly inclusive environments.
Catalyze Change
Actionable solutions are essential. We develop tools such as best practices, policies, and frameworks to reshape cultural and organizational norms, ensuring systemic change that benefits everyone.
Celebrate Black Leadership
Leadership deserves recognition. We highlight and honor Black women thriving in their authentic leadership roles, showcasing their achievements, and voices as examples of what is possible.
Dr. Jonita Fair-Payton
Dr. Jonita is an accomplished nonprofit leader and strategist with over 20 years of experience empowering organizations to achieve impactful change. She has a proven track record of identifying systemic challenges, creating innovative solutions, and leading cohesive teams toward mission-focused goals. A recognized expert in fund development, Jonita has successfully secured over $54 million in grant funding, with particular expertise in navigating the complexities of federal grants. Her leadership extends to program evaluation, cultural sensitivity training, and process improvement, making her a sought-after facilitator and consultant.
In addition to her professional achievements, Jonita’s passion lies in creating spaces for equity and inclusion. She is the founder of Let Her Lead, an initiative aimed at fostering dialogue and collaboration to address the sociological factors that hinder Black women in leadership within white religious spaces. Through workshops, research, and creative projects, Let Her Lead seeks to establish best practices and transform these environments into places where all leaders can thrive authentically.
Committed to both personal and professional growth, Jonita is currently pursuing a Master’s in Theological Studies, further deepening her understanding of the intersection between faith, leadership, and justice. Her specialties include strategic visioning, program assessment, compliance, talent management, and relationship building, all guided by a mission to create lasting, meaningful impact.
