Podcast Summary:

RKD Group: Thinkers — Living on Purpose: How Floyd Jones Builds Community and Raised $2M for Black-led Nonprofits
Released: November 6, 2025
Host(s): Justin McCord & Ronnie Richard
Guest: Floyd Jones

Episode Overview

In this energy-filled episode, hosts Justin McCord and Ronnie Richard sit down with Floyd Jones, a dynamic community builder, speaker, and coach. Floyd shares his journey from a purpose-driven student to raising over $2M for Black-led nonprofits through his Back Black initiative. The conversation revolves around intentional living, practical strategies for community building, and the importance of bringing joy and purpose into nonprofit leadership.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Floyd's Drive and Purpose (06:17)

• Floyd’s Approach to Purpose:
  Floyd channels purpose and intentionality in all his professional endeavors. He likens himself to a “plug,” energizing and inspiring those around him:

  "Everything that I do is very purpose driven, and I feel like I'm living on purpose for a purpose… I feel like a part of my call is to be that light, to be that surge of energy." — Floyd Jones (06:23)

• Connection to Upbringing:
  Floyd’s family background (parents from Sierra Leone, father as an entrepreneur) instilled in him a sense of duty to uplift others. His early inclination to organize unity and music events reflects a lifelong drive for positive impact.

Early Career Insights (08:16–13:23)

• Fundraising in the DNA:
  From selling lollipops in school to leading impactful campaigns, Floyd’s affinity for fundraising emerged early.

  • He describes a pivotal experience with Bokamoso, a South African youth organization, where he witnessed firsthand the power of raising funds to fuel good (12:07).

• Multiplying Community:
  "Community is your catalyst." Floyd applies this across sectors—grassroots nonprofits, tech, and politics—always centering people, not just projects (13:58).

  "How you build and you grow is that you do it with the community… you have to do it with your people, right? You have to see who you want to serve. It’s not us versus them, it's a we." — Floyd Jones (14:15)

The Four C's Framework for Community Building (16:56)

Floyd shares his actionable model for building sustainable communities:

1. Captivate:

• Share the spark. Ask: Do you want others involved, or are you carrying the burden alone?
• “How are you sharing the spark? …Because the spark is getting people to say, who, what's going on here?" — Floyd (18:27)

2. Communicate (Share the Story):

• Capture and maintain interest through storytelling and real engagement.
• "People need to be able to see themselves in your story." (19:27)

3. Convert (Share the Opportunity):

• Move people through stages of involvement, not just asking for donations upfront.
• "You are building for believers, because believers are going to lead to your breakthrough." (21:16)

4. Catapult (Share the Baton):

• Empower ambassadors within the community and foster co-ownership of the mission.
• “When people feel that they have the baton… they are now taking co-ownership of that mission.” (22:22)

Overcoming Burnout and Creating Space (18:41, 24:22)

• Recognizes burnout as an issue rooted in both workload and mindset.
• Emphasizes the need to “create space for transformation,” both for oneself and for others.
• “Why is joy not factored into your KPIs? …If this thing is not bringing you joy, it’s not worth it.” (32:30)

Avoiding Distraction and Focusing Deep (24:36)

• Critiques the ‘always onto the next thing’ mentality.
• Shares his personal “six-figure rule”—not starting new streams or projects until current ones are robust and healthy (25:17).

  “Let’s go deep here and then we can expand.” — Floyd (25:29)

Sustaining Innovation and Self-care (27:07)

• Floyd grounds himself with prayer, journaling, and exercise.
• Thinks in decades, not days, maintaining focus on long-term impact.

  "We have one beautiful, honorable, exciting life to live… Be intentional. Anything that's taking away your peace, anything that's taking you away from your core mission, your core values, get rid of it." — Floyd (35:13)

Technology, AI, and the Human Element (30:04)

• Floyd advocates treating AI as an amplifier, not a replacement, for human connection and impact.
• He tracks how he spends every hour, evaluates energy/morale, and incorporates automation to focus on work that genuinely brings joy and moves the needle.

  "Nothing can replicate me, okay? It's only going to amplify what I'm doing." — Floyd (30:04)

  • Uses emotional cues to delegate, automate, or protect various tasks (32:30).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Building Community:
  “Fundraising is a team sport… If you want to go fast, go by yourself. But if you want to go far, you go together.” — Floyd (22:22)

• On Joy & Boundaries:
  “Why is joy not factored into your KPIs?” — Floyd (32:30)

• On Impact:
  “I don't think in days, I think in decades.” — Floyd (27:36)

• On Avoiding Burnout:
  “Create space for transformation to take place. And this is not just for your people. This is for your own person.” — Floyd (19:10)

• On Innovation in the AI Era:
  “AI ain’t I… It’s only going to amplify what I’m doing.” — Floyd (30:04)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 06:17 — Floyd on living a purpose-driven life
• 08:16 — Roots of Floyd’s passion for service & international perspective
• 12:07 — Pivotal fundraising experience in South Africa
• 13:58 — Lessons on community from tech, politics, & nonprofits
• 16:56 — Introduction of the ‘Four C’s’ (Captivate, Communicate, Convert, Catapult)
• 18:41, 24:22 — Addressing burnout and intentional space for reflection
• 25:17 — The “six-figure rule” and value of going deep
• 27:07 — Floyd’s practices for innovation, self-care, and staying informed
• 30:04 — Navigating AI and automation while maintaining focus on people
• 32:30 — Incorporating joy into KPIs and time management
• 35:10 — Floyd’s core leadership lesson for nonprofit professionals

Final Takeaways

• Intentionality is everything: Floyd urges leaders to ground their work and lives in intentional purpose, to bring sustained energy, and to measure success beyond numbers—factoring in joy and meaningful impact.
• Community-First Leadership: True change happens with—not just for—others. Creating opportunities for shared ownership amplifies the mission.
• Balance Innovation & Humanity: Embrace technology to streamline and amplify, but always keep the human purpose at the center.
• Self-care Enables Impact: Protect time and well-being with the same seriousness as fundraising—because longevity requires guarding energy and joy.

Floyd's Parting Wisdom (35:10)

“Be intentional with your time. Operate in and on purpose, and watch how life opens up for you.” — Floyd Jones