The Board Pro

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Last week in Fargo, I spoke at the WellTold Conference about something I believe nonprofit boards desperately need more ...
05/07/2026

Last week in Fargo, I spoke at the WellTold Conference about something I believe nonprofit boards desperately need more of: story.

Not performative storytelling.

Not trauma storytelling.

Human storytelling that helps boards lead, fundraise, connect, and make better decisions.

Because boards don’t fund spreadsheets. They fund stories they understand.

I pulled together a few reflections from the session in my latest article. I’d love to hear what resonated with you.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/boards-dont-fund-spreadsheets-stories-christal-m-cherry-0axle/











So, I hopped on the mic with Black Philanthropy: Our Stories and Michelle Renee Jackson 👀We talked boards, power, and wh...
05/05/2026

So, I hopped on the mic with Black Philanthropy: Our Stories and Michelle Renee Jackson 👀

We talked boards, power, and what really happens when you finally get a seat at the table.

Here’s the truth:

Getting on a board is one thing…

Walking into one that actually knows how to use your brilliance? That’s something else.

👉🏾 How to get on a board

👉🏾 How to choose the right one

👉🏾 What boards get wrong about leadership + fundraising

👉🏾 Why Black philanthropy has always been leading the way

And this right here:

The board problem isn’t just people… it’s how the board is built.

You can recruit amazing folks…

…but without clarity, expectations, and accountability?

That board will struggle. Every time.

That’s the work I do—helping boards actually function, not just exist.

If you’re thinking about joining, already serving, or leading a board that needs a reset… this one’s for you.

If it hits… share it. We’ve got boardrooms to fix.

https://www.blackphilanthropypodcast.com/030-christal-cherry/

Something feels off with your board… but no one’s really naming it.People care.They show up.But things feel heavier than...
05/05/2026

Something feels off with your board… but no one’s really naming it.

People care.

They show up.

But things feel heavier than they should.

A few people are doing most of the work.

Fundraising isn’t happening.

Follow-through is inconsistent.

👉🏾 That’s friction.

And it usually has less to do with effort…

and more to do with clarity, expectations, and accountability.

I’m offering a 60-minute Board Reset Diagnostic to help you get clear on what’s actually going on and what needs to shift.

Simple. Focused. No fluff.

If your board is ready for a reset…

👉🏾 Send me a note with the word RESET, https://www.theboardpro.com/contact

and I’ll follow up with next steps.









You’ve done the training.The board showed up.Everyone nodded.The training was great!And still… not much changed.You’re s...
04/21/2026

You’ve done the training.

The board showed up.

Everyone nodded.

The training was great!

And still… not much changed.

You’re scratching your head.

Something else is happening…

Let’s figure it out!

I created a free Board Vehicle Diagnostic to help you see what’s actually going on beneath the surface.

👉🏾 Get it here:

https://www.theboardpro.com/board-vehicle-diagnostic









I’m opening a limited number of spots this spring for board retreat facilitation.Not the kind where you watch a long sli...
04/10/2026

I’m opening a limited number of spots this spring for board retreat facilitation.

Not the kind where you watch a long slide presentation and leave with a longer to-do list.

The kind where boards:

✔ have candid conversations about roles and accountability

✔ address what’s not being said

✔ leave aligned on what matters

Most of the boards I work with are navigating:

• leadership transitions

• growth and scaling decisions

• fundraising expectations

• or internal tension that hasn’t been addressed

That’s where this work gets critical.

And often, the retreat is just the beginning. It creates the clarity board’s need, and surfaces the deeper work required to truly move forward.

If your board is heading into a pivotal moment and needs to pause, reset, and move forward with intention, let’s talk.

www.theboardpro.com













Everyone is talking about volunteers this month. But let’s talk about your board for a second.They are volunteers too… a...
04/08/2026

Everyone is talking about volunteers this month. But let’s talk about your board for a second.

They are volunteers too… and if we’re being honest, they don’t always feel appreciated or clear about what they’re supposed to be doing.

That’s where things start to break down.

I wrote a quick blog on how to actually show your board some love in a way that lands and leads to better engagement.

It’s simple. It’s real. And you can start today:

https://www.theboardpro.com/post/volunteer-appreciation-month-let-s-talk-about-your-board-for-a-second













I’ve been chatting it up with a few nonprofit leaders and they all agree on one thing:Their boards really do care about ...
04/07/2026

I’ve been chatting it up with a few nonprofit leaders and they all agree on one thing:

Their boards really do care about their missions.

They show up. They say yes. They want to help.

And still… something is off.

Fundraising isn’t happening

Meetings feel long and boring

Expectations remain unclear

But this is not a “we don’t care” issue.

Clarity and structure are missing:

👉🏾 “What are we actually supposed to be doing as a board?”

👉🏾 “How do we talk about giving without making people uncomfortable?”

👉🏾 “Why does it feel like a few people are doing everything?”

This sound familiar?

Let’s talk. I have a few open spots for my Board Vehicle Diagnostic. It’s a focused 60-minute session where we look at what’s really going on and what to do next.

👉🏾 https://www.theboardpro.com/contact









On Monday, I had the chance to host a conversation on board fundraising with my colleague, Brian Saber.And one thing was...
04/02/2026

On Monday, I had the chance to host a conversation on board fundraising with my colleague, Brian Saber.

And one thing was clear:

Board fundraising is still a problem.

It’s a clarity problem.

Many boards are uncomfortable, unwilling, or unsure…

Unsure what to say.

Unsure what’s expected.

Unsure how to show up.

And that uncertainty?

It keeps people quiet.

So here’s the real question:

What’s getting in the way of your board supporting fundraising right now?

If you’re ready to figure that out:

👉🏾Brian’s tool (great for building stronger donor conversations):: https://boards.askingmatters.com/webinar-special/

👉🏾Or work with me to identify what’s getting in your board’s way and map a path forward: https://www.theboardpro.com/contact

Six seats.Fully sponsored.And I want them to go to the right women.I’m hosting Take Your Seat (April 27–28)—a board read...
03/31/2026

Six seats.

Fully sponsored.

And I want them to go to the right women.

I’m hosting Take Your Seat (April 27–28)—a board readiness experience for Women of Color ready to step into nonprofit leadership with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

And thanks to the generosity of:

✨ Andy Robinson Consulting

✨ Capital Campaign Pro

✨ The Aspire Research Group
.. we’re able to offer 6 sponsored seats.

No cost.

Just commitment.

👉🏾The only requirement:

You must be available for both sessions.

This is for the woman who’s been thinking about board service…

who knows she has something to offer…

but just needs the right door to open.

First come, first serve.

If this is you—or someone you know—

I’ll drop the details in the comments.

Let’s get more of us in these rooms, ready.









I’m sitting with a lot of gratitude right now.I was included on Our "Own Damn List" — and if you haven’t seen it yet, ta...
03/24/2026

I’m sitting with a lot of gratitude right now.

I was included on Our "Own Damn List" — and if you haven’t seen it yet, take a moment.

https://ourowndamnlist.com/Home

This isn’t just another “top voices” list.

This is what happens when someone like Madison Butler 🏳️‍🌈🦄, CPT gets tired of the same names, the same narratives, the same gatekeeping… and decides to build something different.

Over 300 Black women.

Leaders. Creators. Truth-tellers. Builders.

Not waiting to be recognized.

Not shrinking to fit the mold.

Not asking for permission.

Just… showing up and shaping what leadership actually looks like.

And here’s what I love most:

This isn’t about proximity to power.

It’s about redefining power.

It’s about the women who are already doing the work, in boardrooms, in communities, in organizations, behind the scenes, often without the spotlight.

As someone who spends my days helping nonprofit boards become more inclusive, more accountable, and actually reflective of the communities they serve…

THIS is the leadership pipeline.

THIS is what the future of boardrooms should look like.

Not a shortlist.

A movement.

To every woman on that list—and every woman who should have been,

I see you. I celebrate you. And I’m building with you.



When an executive director leaves, the board suddenly becomes very important.A founder steps aside.A long-time leader re...
03/16/2026

When an executive director leaves, the board suddenly becomes very important.

A founder steps aside.

A long-time leader retires.

A new executive director steps in.

These moments can either strengthen an organization… or create real instability.

And in those moments, the board’s leadership matters more than ever.

That’s why I’m excited to be co-hosting an in-person workshop in Atlanta with Naomi Hattaway, creator of Leaving Well:

The Governance Handoff: Board Leadership During Executive Transitions

📅 April 20, 2026

⏰ 1–3 PM

📍 In Person, Atlanta

This will be a small, interactive session designed for nonprofit board members and executive leaders who want to navigate leadership transitions with clarity, partnership, and confidence.

We’re intentionally keeping the group small so the conversation can be meaningful.

Only 12 participants will be able to join us.

If your organization is experiencing a leadership transition — or preparing for one — this conversation will be especially helpful.

You can learn more here:

https://www.theboardpro.com/the-governance-handoff-workshop











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