Building Bridges: Radhy Miranda’s Vision for Community-Centered Philanthropy

As part of our "Intersections of Resilience" series, we honor the transformative leadership of Afro-Latine voices within our comunidad during Black History Month. These stories illuminate how their lived experiences and visionary work are reshaping philanthropy's future.

In our work, philanthropy must be more than capital—it needs to be a bridge between dreams and reality, between communities and resources. Within our ecosystem, leaders like Radhy Miranda are working to create that bridge. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Washington Heights, NYC, Radhy represents a new generation of leaders who understand that change can happen when the expertise and experiences of our gente are accounted for. As a HIP Líder from Cohort 9, his dedication to advancing equitable economic mobility isn't just professional—it's personal. Through groundbreaking initiatives like advising on Connecticut's Baby Bonds program and his Career Cheat Code podcast, Radhy shows us how visionary leadership can create lasting impact en nuestras comunidades.

Connecticut's Baby Bonds: Sowing Seeds of Generational Wealth

Connecticut’s Baby Bonds program is at the heart of Radhy's latest work. By investing $3,200 in every child born into poverty under Medicaid, the program creates the foundation for children born into poverty to have an opportunity at equity. When these young people reach adulthood, the funds become catalysts for dreams: a first home, higher education, or the launch of a new business. 

"This program represents our commitment to breaking cycles of poverty that have held our communities back for generations," Radhy shared with conviction. “When I started working on this, I realized my family would qualify for this program. So I came in with a curiosity and I lean in differently because it's not theoretical for me. This program would have definitely helped my mom.” His work bridging public, private, and social sectors shows us how strategic collaboration can create systemic transformation. 

Career Cheat Code: The Power of Connection & Exposure

It’s no surprise then that Radhy also brings that perspective onto Career Cheat Code, a podcast Radhy created to elevate the voices of people of color who are breaking barriers and redefining success. 

This platform is inspiring a new generation to dream of careers outside of the expected traditional roles. "I like to highlight people in different fields. I didn't grow up knowing that a lot of these jobs existed. From my experience, the entry point has almost always been because of exposure - they met a mentor in the field, just like I did. I met a mentor that was in philanthropy and I'm like, oh, that sounds dope. I'm gonna do that."

Radhy's approach to community building and storytelling embodies the authentic liderazgo that makes his work transformative. For almost six years, he has elevated voices from our communities through his podcast without monetization, sharing simply that "I do it just off the strength of my commitment because I think there are some remarkable people to highlight." This heart-led dedication to amplifying nuestra gente exemplifies how Radhy brings a refreshing groundedness to philanthropy. In a sector that can often feel distant from lived experiences, his leadership style—rooted in genuine connection and the power of telling our stories—creates necessary bridges between institutional power and community wisdom. That’s how, through this deep commitment to authentic relationship-building, his vision for transformative change remains both ambitious and profoundly human.

"Representation isn't just about visibility—it's about possibility," Radhy reflects. "When our community sees someone who looks like them achieving great things, it transforms what they believe is possible for themselves."

Leadership Rooted in Community Wisdom

From his impactful work at the Rockefeller Foundation to his current venture as an independent strategist, Radhy's leadership remains grounded in the values of Washington Heights—where community strength, resourcefulness, and cultural pride aren't just ideals, they're daily practice. 

"In Latino homes and communities like Washington Heights, you gain a unique perspective. Everyone's poor around you, but everyone's happy... You're all acknowledging your reality while still vibing and supporting each other. That perspective shapes how I approach urgency and importance in this work." 

It’s what fuels him to challenge traditional philanthropic models, advocating for trust-based relationships and highlighting the important role of intermediaries like HIP in building authentic community partnerships. "Real change requires more than transactions," he emphasizes. "It demands genuine trust and consistent presence in our communities." 

"If some of the programs or projects that you're trying to address are in Black and Brown communities, trust the leaders that are there to help you solve that rather than come in and parachute with your grand old idea... In my experience, anytime that partner was Black and Brown leaders of organizations, they've exceeded every expectation possible."

He emphasized this, particularly on the rapid response work during the height of the pandemic that required him and so many in philanthropy to pause, pivot, and redirect resources to the immediate needs of the moment. “The success that I've had in my career is only because of the community organizations that have helped me along the way... I approach the work understanding that these are the folks that are serving real people at the end of the day."

The generosity that exists in our communities is a marker of the cultural values passed down from generation to generation. "Sometimes we don't even look at it as philanthropy - it's just the right thing to do. It's part of our community’s nature to support each other and work towards what's right. Throughout the diaspora, it's like a family value that resonates with the community."

As Radhy advances his work, his leadership demonstrates how the resilience of Black and Brown communities can reshape philanthropy's future.

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Want more? Read the feature on HIP Líder Joel Alvarado's transformative work in the Southeast.