Nonprofits Are Messy Podcast

Ep 257: Presence ≠ Power: What Nonprofit Leaders Need to Know (with Rashad Robinson)

by Glennda Testone

Most nonprofits know how to get people to pay attention. Fewer know how to turn that attention into lasting change. In this conversation, Rashad Robinson shares what makes the difference.

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“Why does it feel like we’re losing every battle?”

I’ve lost count of how many times I asked myself this question while leading a nonprofit organization…

I knew how hard my team worked, that our mission mattered, and I saw growth in our community of steadfast supporters. But still, it felt like the systems we were trying to change were more entrenched than ever.

This question sits at the heart of this conversation, and it’s exactly what originally drew Glennda Testone, CEO of the Nonprofit Leadership Lab, and me to guest Rashad Robinson’s new book, From Presence to Power.

Too often, nonprofit leaders mistake visibility for influence. We celebrate attention, media coverage, and social engagement – but those things alone don’t change policy, shift culture, or rewrite the rules. A strong nonprofit advocacy strategy requires more than raising awareness – it requires building the power to change systems.

Drawing from decades of experience leading campaigns for social change, Rashad shares practical lessons about strategy, infrastructure, perception, and leadership. Together, they explore why awareness alone isn’t enough, why hope needs a strategy, and how a stronger nonprofit advocacy strategy can help organizations build the power to create lasting change.

TUNE IN TO LEARN:

  • Why awareness isn’t enough: Discover why attention, media coverage, and social engagement don’t automatically translate into meaningful change – and what actually does.

  • How to build power instead of just presence: Learn the difference between being visible and having the ability to change the rules that shape your mission.

  • Why hope still needs a strategy: Explore the difference between believing change is possible and building the infrastructure that makes it happen.

KEY QUOTES:

  • “Presence is important. But my argument here is that in this attention economy, when we can mistake presence for power, we can mistake this sort of input of getting more visibility and awareness for actually being able to change the rules.” – Rashad Robinson

  • “You can’t do good strategy work if you don’t understand your opponent’s motivations. If you don’t understand what gets them out of the bed each day and keeps them fighting.”
    – Rashad Robinson

  • “I, for one, as a former nonprofit leader myself and someone who works with thousands of other leaders, really appreciate you sharing that. Because it’s not all win, win, win, forward, forward, forward. We are learning from mistakes, we are making mistakes. We are human. I think you say with regard to power, the worst form of magical thinking is the idea that feeling powerful is the same thing as being powerful.” – Glennda Testone

ABOUT GUEST:

For more than two decades, Rashad Robinson’s strategic campaigns, media expertise and movement leadership have played a critical role in winning real change for real people—from bail reform, decarceration and the progressive prosecutor movement, to winning net neutrality, anti-discrimination practices across the tech landscape, inclusive representations across the media landscape, and the elimination of predatory Big Bank fees. Today, through Rashad Robinson Advisors (RRA), he advises and collaborates on developing high-impact strategies to bring about progress with foundations, nonprofits and leaders across media, politics, government and business.

Rashad’s work and insights are regularly featured across broadcast, print and social media, and his forthcoming book, From Presence to Power: How to Take On the Fights That Matter—and Win, will be published by One World Random House in July of 2026. Rashad led the racial justice organization Color Of Change for nearly 14 years and previously led advocacy at GLAAD. More information can be found at www.rashadrobinson.com

RESOURCES:

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Sponsorship

Donor Perfect

Sponsored By DonorPerfect

DonorPerfect provides nonprofits with powerful fundraising tools to drive success. Built on a foundation of integrity and innovation, the company prioritizes its clients over investors, cultivating a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and a commitment to making a difference. 

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