cultural & creative community organizer
among other things;
Welcome! I'm Miriha, a dedicated nonprofit consultant, passionate photographer and artist, and committed community strategist and organizer. Here, you can explore the diverse range of my skills and projects that reflect my dedication to making a meaningful impact.
about me
Hi! I'm Miriha Austin, a Los Angeles based space-maker, cultural organizer, and multi-hyphenate creative, most often employing photography, conversation, and place-based activations within my practice to engage, empower, and educate historically excluded peoples. My work interrogates conventional paradigms and aims to ameliorate the lived conditions of these communities, with recurring themes of identity development, radical community care, and personal and familial space.
For the past 4+ years, I've served as the Program Associate for the Reissa Foundation, where I facilitate genuine connection-building between the foundation and community-based organizations, prioritizing equity-centered grantmaking, guided by the communities themselves.
As the founder of TOAN Co., a Black-led organization committed to fostering equitable, full-spectrum healing for marginalized communities, I champion radical community care through dialogue, artistic expression, and place-based activation.
current offerings
Where I'm Most Useful Right Now:
I bring valuable insights to many spaces by employing a unique perspective and skillset at the intersections of Philanthropy, Community Organizing, and Art and Culture Program Strategy.
As a photographer, I approach my work casually, without too much fuss. I celebrate and preserve the essence of everyday life. I approach both portraiture and documentary image-making similarly, aiming to be as authentic to the moment as possible. This approach results in emotional stills and glimpses of beauty in the mundane.
I often center Black women, artists, and families. As a self-proclaimed anthropologist, it is foundational to my practice to record and archive the daily lives—at work, in creation, and at leisure—of those I am in community with.
A Guidebook for Funders and Community Organizations
The Gap: A roadmap for funders and community organizers to build effective cooperative philanthropic partnerships.
As a program officer within a family foundation, I've navigated the complexities of funding with a unique perspective - one that bridges the gap between funders and grassroots organizations. Drawing from my firsthand experience and insights, this guidebook offers candid advice and practical strategies to foster meaningful collaborations, navigate power dynamics, and enhance the impact of philanthropic efforts.