Media
About Rich Harwood
Author, speaker, innovator
Rich Harwood’s perspective is unique – and urgently needed today. For nearly 35 years, he has dedicated his career to revitalizing the nation’s hardest-hit communities, transforming the world’s largest organizations, and reconnecting institutions like newsrooms and schools to their role in society. He has been recruited to solve some of the most difficult problems of our time, including being called into Newtown, Connecticut after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Rich has innovated and developed a new philosophy of Civic Faith and the practice of Turning Outward, helping communities bridge divides to solve problems and create a civic culture of shared responsibility. Thousands of community leaders, public officeholders, foundation and corporate executives, clergy, journalists, and government officials in all 50 states and 40 countries around the globe are using his approaches.
He is an inspiring, sought-after speaker who regularly keynotes major conferences. He appears regularly on major media outlets, such as MSNBC’s Meet the Press Daily, NPR’s All Things Considered, CNN, and Forbes, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post, and has written six books and numerous groundbreaking reports.
Rich can talk about how we can find real, actionable solutions to the overwhelming challenges we face today, including:
the conditions that lead to mass gun violence.
contentious education debates.
growing disparities.
a vacuum in our civic life.
Rich is the Founder and President of The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, located in Bethesda, Maryland.
MEDIA REQUESTS
If you are a writer, editor, or producer and would like to request an interview for a story, podcast, or video with Rich, please contact Emnet Sisay, Media and Network Engagement Manager at esisay@theharwoodinstitute.org or 301.656.3669 ext. 1003.
Featured Media Appearances
Rich's appearance on the Derate the Hate podcast.
Rich Harwood's interview with Randy Williams for WHBB Radio's Viewpoint in Selma, AL.
Rich's interview on the podcast, Uncomfy: Sticking with Moments That Challenge Us, reflecting on his experience working with Newtown, CT following the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Rich Harwood’s op-ed with Lindsay Fox, President/CEO of the United Way Fresno and Madera Counties in The Fresno Bee in conjunction with his November 2023 visit to Fresno, CA.
The Owensboro Times’ interview with Rich previewing the initiative with the Greater Owensboro Leadership Institute in Owensboro, Kentucky.
The Messenger-Inquirer’s coverage of Rich’s speech to kick off the initiative with the Greater Owensboro Leadership Institute in Owensboro, Kentucky.
14News coverage of the forum hosted by the Greater Owensboro Leadership Institute and The Harwood Institute in Owensboro, Kentucky.
Chuck Todd and Ben Collins with Rich Harwood on MSNBC’s Meet the Press Daily.
NPR's Michel Martin talks with Rich Harwood about his experiences working to help communities heal from loss and deep divisions — and how it relates to our current moment.
Rich Harwood joins All Things Considered’s Barbershop to discuss what reconciliation might look like for Virginia Gov. Northam.
Recent Publications
In 1965, Selma led us across the Edmund Pettus Bridge and showed us a better future. In this column, Rich Harwood explores how nearly 60 years later, Selma can show us the way forward again.
Rich Harwood’s latest for the Christian Citizen explores our need for communal redemption.
Rich Harwood explores Owensboro, KY as an example of how we might rethink how we create change for the Fulcrum.
Rich Harwood meditates on maintaining hope and staying grounded during troubled times in our country.
Rich Harwood explores how communities can get past the culture wars to take action on what matters.
Rich Harwood explores why individuals, groups and organizations feel canceling others is the only option available when faced with ideas and people we disagree with for the Fulcrum.
David Nevins, Co-founder and Chairman of the Bridge Alliance, interviews Rich Harwood for the Fulcrum’s CityBiz “Meet the Change Leaders” podcast series.
Podcast Appearances
Rich's appearance on the Derate the Hate podcast.
Rich's interview on the podcast, Uncomfy: Sticking with Moments That Challenge Us, reflecting on his experience working with Newtown, CT following the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Rich Harwood’s interview with Ken Futernick for the Courageous Conversations About Our Schools podcast.
Rich appears on the ThoughtStretchers Education podcast to discuss the findings of A Common Agenda: How Three Communities Overcame Societal Tumult to Create Educational Equity Agendas.
Select books & reports
Media Coverage
In 1965, Selma led us across the Edmund Pettus Bridge and showed us a better future. In this column, Rich Harwood explores how nearly 60 years later, Selma can show us the way forward again.
Rich's appearance on the Derate the Hate podcast.
The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer's coverage of the "Building a Better Owensboro" initiative.
Rich Harwood’s latest for the Christian Citizen explores our need for communal redemption.
Rich's op-ed in the Deseret News outlining why we need a civic path - not politics - to solve what ails much of our society today.
Rich Harwood's interview with Randy Williams for WHBB Radio's Viewpoint in Selma, AL.
Rich's interview on the podcast, Uncomfy: Sticking with Moments That Challenge Us, reflecting on his experience working with Newtown, CT following the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.