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MEET
MICHELLE
Nonprofit executive, strategist, founder, intuitive, and storyteller with experience building impactful programs, leading organizations, and creating spaces for authentic transformation.
Michelle B. Barnes, MPA, is a consultant, coach, and nonprofit leader dedicated to helping individuals and organizations lead with clear direction, alignment, and purpose.
With a professional background spanning nearly two decades in nonprofit leadership, community development, and organizational strategy, Michelle brings both lived experience and technical expertise to her work. As the Founder and Executive Director of Real Images, she has spent over a decade designing programs that empower women and girls through identity, storytelling, and community.
Michelle’s influence extends beyond organizational leadership into creative and cultural spaces. She is the voice behind The Respectable Woman Podcast, where she explores identity, truth, and the lived experiences of women with honesty and depth. Her work as a creative producer reflects her mission to amplify authentic stories—particularly those of women and people of color—through meaningful and impactful storytelling.
Michelle holds both a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.