Tara Phillips, Executive Director
Tara Phillips has enjoyed a diverse career in the social sector, serving for the past 30 years as a teacher, executive director, development director and a national program director. Tara has developed skills in organization and change management to bring justice and equity to the pubic sector for communities across the United States. Before relocating to Paris, Tara served five years as executive director of an elementary charter school in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, securing the school’s only five-year charter renewal.
Tara has brought her expertise in board management, cultural competency, and character education programming to several conferences and convenings, both in the US and internationally. In addtion to serving as LMB's ED, Tara works as an organizational development consultant and is also a writer. She holds a B.S in Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University and an Executive Master’s degree in Consulting and Coaching for Change from HEC Paris, in partnership with the University of Oxford. Tara currently lives in Paris, France and has a 19-year old son, Emmanuel.
Letter from the Executive Director
It is an honor to serve as the executive director at La Maison Baldwin and I am thrilled by the progress we have made so far this year. I am blessed to have a diverse, committed, and talent board of directors partnering with me in this work and I am proud to say that we are now in full partnership and collaboration with the Baldwin family and estate.
As a Black writer living in Paris, I know I stand on the trail blazed by Baldwin himself and I am excited to bring my experience, professional network, and skills to the task. I hope that you all will join me on this journey in spirit and support. That said, the board and I are thrilled with the accomplishment of some of our short term goals and are focused on the successful implementation of our remaining priorities.
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We celebrated a successful 2023 Writer's Conference in Paris--In July, we welcomed 24 writers and faculty to Paris for a 5-day conference at which we celebrated Baldwin's legacy. We were graced by the talents and courage of our participants as they shared their own work. I penned a deeper reflection in my essay, Jimmy Opened the Gate, inspired by all that we experienced together that week.
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We are focused on securing La Maison Baldwin's financial stability--Setbacks from the pandemic and other organizational shifts have left La Maison Baldwin in a turnaround situation financially. With a newly energized board and a new narrative, I am confident that we can engage the fundraising strategies necessary to set LMB up for long-term sustainability.
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We are poised to celebrate James Baldwin's Centennial in 2024--From September 9-13, La Maison Baldwin will be hosting a centennial festival in honor of James Baldwin in Paris, France. We have assembled a centennial committee and are laying the groundwork and vision for this special occasion. To learn more, click here.
Taking the reins of La Maison Baldwin was deeply personal for me as my late father, like Baldwin, was also a Jimmy from Harlem. I wrote a piece, Two Jimmys from Harlem, about how I've been inspired by these two sons of Harlem. I hope you'll take a read to learn more about the foundation on which I stand as I continue to lead our work into this next era.
Thank you again for your continued support and I look forward to sharing more with you as LMB's journey continues.
Tara Phillips
Executive Director
tara.phillips@lamaisonbaldwin.fr
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