About Ebonie Johnson Cooper

Ebonie Johnson Cooper believes Black giving is magic! For more than fifteen years Ebonie has used her research, thought-leadership, and expertise to inform national and local projects and speaking engagements related to nonprofit racial equity, African American donor engagement, church ministry, partnership development, and fundraising strategies. She has worked with institutions and nonprofits that include, The Lilly Endowment, The Center for Congregations, IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Central Carolina Community Foundation, The Cleveland Foundation, The Washington Area Women’s Foundation, Odyssey Impact, and Teach for America.

Ebonie currently serves full-time in the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland as Faculty Director, Nonprofit Executive Education and Training for The Do Good Institute and an Associate Clinical Professor. In her spare time, she serves as a trusted nonprofit consultant through Friends of Ebonie, LLC, and Founding Executive Director of the Young, Black & Giving Back Institute (YBGB).

Ebonie was recognized by ESSENCE Magazine (April 2022, November 2016) and JET Magazine(September 2013), as one of the nation’s top leaders for her innovation around NextGen African – American philanthropy. Ebonie’s leadership and achievements have also been featured on CNN’s HLN network, The Washington Post, and ABC-7 (NY). She is a National Museum of African American History & Culture Ambassador, and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and Black Benefactors Giving Circle (DC). She is also an ordained Itinerant Deacon for AME Church’s 2nd Episcopal District and serves faithfully as the Young Adult Minister at Kingdom Fellowship AME Church. Ebonie is a proud graduate of North Carolina A&T State University (BS), New York University (MS) and Wesley Theological Seminary (MDiv.). Her greatest role however, is being a mother to her precocious, adorable, and loving toddler son.