Laura Harding had some big shoes to fill.
Succeeding Elaine Gross, the only president in the 22-year history of social justice-focused lobbying group ERASE Racism, was an enormous test. The now-president emeritus, who stepped down from her leadership role in September 2022, had carved a progressive legacy championing inclusive housing, workforce training and other key socioeconomic issues.
But after decades in hot pursuit of housing and education equality, Laura – born on Barbados, raised on Long Island, forged on antidiscrimination’s front lines – has proven up to the task, and then some.
In today’s episode, the veteran attorney, social worker and political consultant joins Spark host Gregory Zeller to discuss her first year as head of the busy Syosset-based nonprofit, the immense challenge of reversing centuries of institutional racism and her deepest faith in the inspiring, rapidly maturing leaders of tomorrow.
