We recently had the chance to connect with Dr. Barbara Wright and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Barbara, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
When I’m grant writing for nonprofits and social entrepreneurs, I lose all sense of time, and in that space, I find myself again. There’s something deeply grounding about transforming a vision for change into words that move funders to act. Every line becomes a bridge between what is and what could be, between a family struggling to make ends meet and the opportunity for stability, between a young person’s dream and the resources to make it real.
The process of weaving data with passion, strategy with story, and compliance with creativity draws me in completely. Hours can pass as I align a logic model, refine a budget narrative, or craft the one sentence that captures a mission’s heartbeat.
In those moments, I’m reminded that grant writing isn’t just paperwork, it’s purposeful work. It’s how we translate compassion into impact, giving life to programs that heal, educate, and empower individuals and families to rise. That’s where I find my flow and myself.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Dr. Barbara Wright, founder and CEO of Certified Dream Builder, Inc., and the creator of Grant Builder Pro Max and Budget Builder Pro Max, AI-powered platforms designed to make grant writing, program planning, and budgeting more accessible for nonprofits, social entrepreneurs, and small businesses.
My journey started with a simple mission: to help ordinary people turn extraordinary ideas into fundable, sustainable programs. Over the years, I’ve assisted clients in winning millions of dollars in grants, contracts, loans, and donations. But what truly drives me is teaching others how to secure funding for themselves, especially those building organizations that transform lives, strengthen families, and revitalize communities.
What makes my brand unique is that we combine technology, education, and empowerment. I’m proud to be the first Black woman to develop a standalone grant writing app, and I’ve built an entire ecosystem of tools, books, and workshops that simplify complex funding processes.
Right now, I’m working on expanding Grant Builder Pro Max to include new AI-powered features for collaboration, evaluation, and budgeting, making it a one-stop resource for mission-driven leaders who are ready to make a measurable impact.
At the heart of everything I do is a belief that when people have the right tools and knowledge, they can fund their purpose and change the world.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful goes back to my childhood in the Delta, where I lived with my grandmother and her eleven children. When my grandfather left, my grandmother had to go to work, which meant I started school early, first tagging along to kindergarten with my aunt, then with my uncle, and eventually on my own.
My kindergarten teacher knew me well by then and recognized that I had a gift for remembering long passages of poetry. She asked me to recite “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe, and she even bought me a special dress and a doll for the occasion. Standing there, speaking those words, I felt a confidence and power I’d never known before, like my voice could move people.
That moment shaped who I am today. I carry that same love for language and storytelling into my work as a grant writer. Every proposal I write is like poetry with purpose, words crafted to inspire action, open doors, and fund dreams for people and families who deserve opportunity.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
When I was a child, what helped me most when I was sad or scared was finding courage through imagination and the lessons I learned from my grandmother. When our family moved from Palestine, Arkansas, to what felt like the “big city” of Forrest City, I was the new kid, and not everyone was welcoming. A group of girls would chase me home from school almost every day.
One evening, while watching Gunsmoke with my grandmother, I saw Festus draw a line in the sand. Something about that moment stuck with me. The next day, when those girls started after me again, I ran at first, but then I stopped, turned around, and drew my own line in the dirt. I told them, “Step across this line.” When the main bully did, I turned into what I now call a solar-powered windmill, swinging my arms in pure determination.
When it was over, no one ever chased me home again. In fact, some of those same girls are still my friends more than 55 years later. That moment taught me that standing up for yourself, especially when you’re scared, is where real strength begins.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
That’s an interesting question because it really made me pause and think. There are a couple of important truths I live by that not everyone agrees with.
The first is that I don’t watch television. Over the years, I’ve seen how easily the media can shape our thoughts, emotions, and even the choices we make without us realizing it. For me, protecting my mind and spirit is essential, especially as a creative and a leader, so I choose to fill that space with reading, writing, prayer, and purpose.
The second truth is that every bit of success I’ve had comes from living by Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” That scripture is my compass. It has guided me through every transition, every new idea, and every bold leap of faith.
It might not be the most popular perspective in today’s fast-paced world, but I’ve found that when you trust God fully and stay true to your purpose, you’ll never be misdirected.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think what people will most misunderstand about my legacy is this: if I’ve helped organizations raise close to a billion dollars in grants, loans, contracts, and donations, they might wonder why I haven’t done the same for myself.
The truth is, I realized a long time ago that I wasn’t meant to start every idea that came to me, and I’ve had many. I was born to give those ideas away. My purpose isn’t to own every vision, but to help others bring theirs to life. That realization freed me.
One of my proudest moments came in 2022 when I was interviewed globally by Meta. They told me they only interview and hire the best, and that acknowledgment confirmed something I’d quietly known all along: I have a rare gift. But more importantly, I have a responsibility to share it.
Today, I make a good living, but more importantly, I live with peace. I no longer struggle to implement every idea in my head. Instead, I find joy in helping others build, grow, and shine. That’s the legacy I want to leave, one of generosity, empowerment, and purpose-driven impact.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.certifieddreambuilder.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starturbiz/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/1000000sgrantwriter/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpeakTeachReach
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bwrightnow/
Image Credits
Dominique Wright, Photos
Barbara Wright by Dominique Wright >
