(BALTIMORE – December 19, 2024) – Be sure to attend the Black Wall Street New Year EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT on Saturday, January 4, 2025, from 10 am to 2 pm at the Sankofa Children’s Museum of African Cultures at 4330 Pimlico Rd. This will be an inspiring event filled with workshops, speakers, networking opportunities, and, of course, the coveted Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards. This event is presented by BMORENews.com, the West North Avenue Development Authority (WNADA), and Fulton Bank.
RSVP to BlackWallStreetSummit2025.eventbrite.com.
Honorees receiving the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards include Chrissy M. Thornton.
Who is Chrissy?
Chrissy M. Thornton serves as the dynamic President and CEO of Associated Black Charities (ABC), a 40-year-old racial equity organization headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. With a career built on the pillars of community empowerment, coalition-building, and economic justice, Chrissy brings not just leadership but a movement-driven approach to everything she touches.
Under her guidance, ABC thrives as a catalyst for equity and systemic change, leveraging strategic partnerships to uplift Black communities and advance opportunities across sectors.
A native New Yorker with a deep-rooted passion for transformative leadership, Chrissy is recognized for seamlessly integrating visionary strategy with hands-on execution. She balances high-level goal setting with practical implementation, from developing professional pipelines and innovative events to digital inclusion initiatives and community dialogues. She uniquely brings people together across divides, cultivating trust and collaboration to create meaningful impact.
With over 20 years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, digital engagement, grant writing, and program execution, Chrissy has a proven track record of elevating organizations to new heights. Her leadership extends to designing and facilitating staff development activities, large-scale events, and board initiatives while also executing exceptional fundraisers, training seminars, education conferences, and peer-to-peer engagement efforts.
Chrissy has consulted with non-profits nationwide, diagnosing challenges, rebuilding programs, onboarding boards and committees, and driving organizational growth through innovative fundraising strategies and marketing efforts. Her work reflects a strong belief that equity, entrepreneurship, and community engagement are essential to systemic change.
In addition to her non-profit expertise, Chrissy is an author, consultant, and entrepreneur. Her notable book, Stop Scrambling, Start Bringing Home the Bacon: A Guide to Establishing an Effective Fundraising Plan for Your Non-Profit Organization, has become a trusted resource in the sector. As a former real estate investor and franchise owner, Chrissy champions financial literacy, economic education, and the power of entrepreneurship.
A community advocate and arts enthusiast, Chrissy previously served as the President of the Board of Directors for ArtsCentric, a color-conscious theatre organization. She also volunteers as the Administrator for The Carter Legacy Singers, a performance ensemble named after Dr. Nathan M. Carter, one of her alma maters at Morgan State University. She is an active member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity. Her involvement extends to Jack and Jill of America, Inc., where she was recognized nationally for her award-winning youth programs, served as the Past President of the Greater Baltimore County Chapter, and is the Immediate Past Regional Teen Advisor.
Chrissy is also the founder of My Girl Power Matters, a discussion and event series that empowers women to overcome obstacles and live their best lives. Her dedication to community leadership is reflected in her affiliations with several organizations, including the Black Leadership Circle, Executive Alliance, CHIEF, and the Baltimore Women’s Civic League. She also serves on multiple boards and advisory councils, such as the Greater Baltimore Committee, Baltimore Center Stage, The Arc Baltimore, Baltimore County Human Relations Commission, Color of Gastrointestinal Illnesses (COGI), Advisory Board for the Liberal Arts College of Morgan State University, and others.
Chrissy’s numerous accolades include being named a Baltimore Sun 2023 Top 25 Woman to Watch, a Daily Record 2023 Maryland Top 100 Woman, 2024 Most Influential Marylander, 2024 Empowering Women awardee, and 2024 Most Admired CEO, and a 2024 Baltimore Business Journal PowerShift Honoree. She is the 2024 Woman of the Year for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., a 2024 Baltimore City Council Trailblazing Woman, a 2024 National Philanthropy Day “Champion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” from AFP Maryland, a 2024 Baltimore County Community Hero, and a 2024 Black History Hero named by the Maryland Washington Minority Companies Association. A member of the 2024 Class of Leadership Baltimore County, Chrissy continues to push boundaries, ensuring that equity and inclusion remain central to Baltimore’s progress.
Armed with a master’s degree in business with a concentration in Organizational Management, Chrissy is also a sought-after public speaker on topics ranging from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and health equity to entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment, wealth building, and non-profit stakeholder engagement. Her motivational speaking style reflects her unwavering belief that energized leadership and strategic action are key to achieving lasting impact.
At the heart of everything Chrissy does is a commitment to creating spaces for dialogue, trust, and transformation. Whether leading complex initiatives, mentoring young leaders, or building bridges between communities, Chrissy exemplifies what it means to lead with passion, purpose, and vision. She is not just running an organization—she is advancing a movement for equity, justice, and empowerment.
