Shift Happens Consulting and Capacity Building

Paula Swepson and Mary Snow are co-authors of the book, “Shift Happens in Community: A Toolkit to Build Power and Ignite Change.” The book is a how-to guide for engaging structurally excluded communities to better understand their strengths, assets, and vision for change. The toolkit is organized into 10 chapters, across 145 pages, and was published in 2020 by Equitable Community Strategies and West Marion Inc. The co-authors believe that real and lasting change comes from solution building that is shaped by those closest to the issues. They published this toolkit to share their model with others to help advance a more just and inclusive world.

Paula and Mary bring the essence of community engagement to this toolkit, and through it teach the skills needed to support people and help us towards repair and liberation.
— Desiree Adaway, Consultant, The Adaway Group

Our consultancy team provides expertise on strategic planning, executive director coaching, nonprofit management, racial equity, rural community development, public health research and advocacy, results-based facilitation, public art projects, fundraising, and community-centered collaborations to advance inclusive policy and systems change. We bring a multiracial team approach to our consultancy practice. We have supported nonprofits, foundations, and community-based organizations across NC to “Get Their Shift Together” and plant seeds for community power and transformational change.