Meet the Team

  • Growing up in a household boasting five generations, nonprofit consultant and CEO, Maleka Lawrence, learned about social impact and philanthropy from her great-grandmother, Mama Mae and her paternal grandmother Lillie Belle. Inspired by Mama Mae’s radical generosity and Lillie Belle’s relentless activism within church and grassroots organizations, Maleka used their influence as a model for making positive change in her community. 

    Pursuing a degree in Psychology at American University, a Master of Social Work from NYU, followed by a post-graduate training in nonprofit leadership at Columbia, Maleka started her career off as a clinical social worker, offering individual, family, and group therapy. Interested in learning more about nonprofit management, she eventually transitioned into taking on leadership roles in fundraising, strategic planning, and equity-driven initiatives. After years of being one of the only people of color in the room, Maleka launched Village Nonprofit Solutions in 2020 to provide a space for learning, community, and support for other POC in social impact. Bringing over 20 years of expertise, Maleka is a dedicated leader committed to supporting local and national nonprofit organizations and their leaders with holistic fundraising strategies, diverse leadership development, and practical tools for success. Having worked with organizations of all sizes, including equity-centered national and community-based organizations, her client roster now includes The Education Trust, the National Summer Learning Association, and DREAM (formerly known as Harlem RBI), among others. 

    Through Village Nonprofit Solutions, Maleka provides a space for learning, connection, and empowerment, offering nonprofits the resources necessary to uphold the rich legacy of philanthropy in marginalized communities by “Cultivating Good.” Her work ensures that organizations not only thrive, but remain deeply aligned with the principles of equity and inclusion, along with Mama Mae and Lillie Belle’s focus on community. 

  • Kaylé Barnes knew she wanted to be a consultant on October 15th, 2016. She remembers the exact date because of a reflective practice she calls ‘Life Mapping’—a process that helps assess one’s values, challenges, and inspirations. Through this process, one name consistently appeared in the inspiration section - who was none other than nonprofit consultant, Maleka Lawrence.

    A proud graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Kaylé’s passion for advocacy took root early. She served as Executive Secretary of the Black Student Association and represented her peers on the Big XII Council on Black Student Government, experiences that cemented her commitment to community-centered leadership.

    After moving to Washington, D.C. in 2013, she began building a career rooted in service, securing millions in funding for nonprofits like the Education Trust, Reading Partners, YMCA of San Francisco, Youth Speaks, and the San Francisco Housing Action Coalition. She has led teams through leadership transitions, designed sustainable fundraising strategies, and developed donor communications that have driven long-term impact.

    Now, nearly a decade after first naming consulting her dream, Kaylé has returned to work alongside Maleka Lawrence at Village Nonprofit Solutions. As a Senior Consultant, she helps mission-driven organizations overcome challenges, strengthen their financial foundations, and build joyful, sustainable workplaces. Her years of experience have taught her that when mission-driven teams have a village behind them, they don’t just succeed—they thrive.