McClaurin Solutions (profile) is a consulting practice with creative solutions (coaching, evaluations, strategic planning, convenings, publications, workshops, training) for individuals, non-profits, businesses, and higher education in diversity/inclusion; social disparities & equity; communications, social media & branding; community partnerships; endowment development; grantee effectiveness;  leadership; succession & organizational change; and social policy.  Committed to community partnerships, Dr. McClaurin is a new member of the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Boards of Artspace , the Afro-Latin@ Project, and the Hip-Hop Education Center at NYU.


McClaurin Solutions 

Projects 

Book--What have WOMEN contributed to Hip-Hop??  Dr. Irma McClaurin (co-editor) joins Editor, Martha Diaz and co-editor Dr. Rachel Ramist in answering this question. They have compiled the first collection of essays and encyclopedic entries of women's global contributions to Hip-Hop and its culture in Fresh, Bold, and So Def: Women in Hip-Hop Changing the Game (tags: hip hop, cultural studies, women, feminism).  Forthcoming....for now; read about it.


 The Oberlin-Pine View Cemetery Preservation Project 

McClaurin Solutions provided technical assistance to the Friends of Oberlin and Pine View Cemetery in their efforts to maintain these two historic grave sites of Raleigh's early African American residents and their descendants.  Preparation is underway to have the area designated a city landmark and cultural treasure in Raleigh, N.C.  View more photos or the Video on the Friends of Oberlin-Pineview Cemetery.

 SIGN FOR OBERLIN CEMETERY DESIGNED BY MCCLAURIN SOLUTIONS

Coaching/Mentoring in ACTION 

Dr. McClaurin mentoring students at the 2006 Annual Meeting of the Caribbean Studies Association's "Tia & Tio" (Auntie & Uncle) Program in Trinidad.   Read Dr. McClaurin's thoughts on Mentoring.

James Haskins Endowment Fund, University of Florida

Dr. McClaurin, a former faculty member in the Department of Anthropology at UF, helped develop the fundraising action plan to establish the James Haskins Endowment Fund, now divided into the "James Haskins Visiting Scholars Fellowship" and the Jim Haskins Library Collection.  McClaurin also conceptualized and wrote the content for the Case Statement (excerpted below) and contributed to its design in collaboration with his wife, Kathy Benson Haskins and the University of Florida Foundation staff. 

Portrait of a 'Humanitarian Philosopher''

"On the most basic level, it is this historical ability to define our own humanity, and thereby to create a heritage of which we can be proud, that to me is the most significant aspect of being a Black Alabamian." James Haskins

A Small Ounce of Privacy

Who could imagine that from a small place like Demopolis, Alabama, would emerge a man of such enormous vision and talent? James Haskins was born there on September 19, 1941.  Family and relatives knew him by his basket name, "Dazzle," and later Uncle D; his teachers knew him as James; and to friends and neighbors he was simply Jim.  Amidst the noise and antics of a houseful of siblings, Jim found a small ounce of privacy in reading.  It opened up the windows of his imagination and transported him away from the segregated borders of Alabama to the world beyond.

(View the  Endowment Case Statement) 

Photo Courtesy of The University of Florida          

Restoration and Renovation of the Connie E. Kimbo Black Cultural Center, Grinnell College

When the Black alumni at Grinnell College wanted to preserve the Connie Kimbo Black Cultural Center, they turned to one of their own for help.  In 2010, Dr. McClaurin was invited to develop a fundraising action plan to raise the matching funds to aid in the renovation and re-imagination of the Connie Kimbo Black Cultural Center.

 Webinars/Workshops

Since 1991, Dr. McClaurin has designed numerous presentations, workshops, and webinars on various topics: community engagement, cultural preservation, national and international policies, diversity, domestic violence, leadership, legacy building (fundraising/endowments), post-graduate professionalization, racism and sexual harassment,  writing (academic, policy, public), and tenure and promotion.  Below are some of the groups she has worked with:

 Association of Black Anthropologists/ Caribbean Studies Association Columbia Teacher’s College/ Des Moines Department of Health and Human Services/Grinnell Middle School Staff/ Illinois Research Center’s Administrator’s Institute on Early Childhood Education/ Iowa Department of Economic Development/ MN Mayo Clinic and community partners/ Ms. Magazine Feminist Scholars Writers Workshop/ National Women’s Studies Association/ University of Minnesota’s Executive Leadership Institute in the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs & Women’s Leadership Institute/ University of Florida’s anthropology graduate program/ USAID Mission Staff