The community’s interest and show of support at Friday’s closing reception for ‪The Soul of Philanthropy‬ exhibition at the Johnson C. Smith University ‪library was deeply moving. Some folks who attended the opening event in February returned to see it again. A few of them brought along a friend or family member this time.

The experience was affirming in many ways, particularly in the context of such hot days and heated times. Outside temperatures soared beyond 90 degrees and inside the library’s air conditioner was out (our Giving Back hand fans were, indeed, handy). And just the day before, news broke about the horrific shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, where JCSU administrator Malcolm Graham lost his sister in the massacre.

Given the atmosphere, we were astounded and further heartened by an occurrence at the end of the event. A man unknown to Charles arrived and handed him a sealed white envelope and inside the typed letter read:

Dear NGAAP: