On June 9, 2016, Charlotte’s New Generation of African American Philanthropists celebrated its 10th anniversary at The Wadsworth Estate. Giving circle members—current, past and prospective—gathered for “White Party, Black Giving,” an event with food, drinks, live music, reminiscing, friendship and shared purpose.
See a couple of event photos below, and dozens at: XOXO | Ten Years of A Circle & Love
My raconteur ways,
sense of style and wanderlust
came, it seems, natural.
Watch our newest video Power of Ten
Original iContact communiqué: See The Power of Ten
June 8 marked the 10th anniversary of New Generation of African American Philanthropists. Celebration of the occasion took place on June 9 with a “White Party” at the Wadsworth Estate, where the giving circle’s initial gathering took place in 2006.
More than 60 circle members and friends attended the event. Tin Kitchen food truck was on site to prepare made-to-order specialty tacos and sliders with fresh gourmet ingredients. A Jazz trio, featuring bass player Tim Singh, performed throughout the evening. Photographers Ebony Stubbs and Michael Dantzler captured moments and scenes from the party, including NGAAP Charlotte’s annual group portrait.
A program with brief remarks from members was followed by a new video, chronicling the circle’s philanthropic work and membership from the past decade.
The celebration continues all year, and you are invited to participate in these ways:
Join us in exercising the power of 10!
![NBMBAA Leadership Forum 2016 v1[2]](https://valaida.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/nbmbaa-leadership-forum-2016-v12.jpg?w=584)
Today, 8 June 2016, marks the 10th anniversary of my giving circle New Generation of African American Philanthropists!
Celebrate the POWER OF TEN with us by making a gift to the Giving Back Project, our civic engagement initiative to reframe portraits of philanthropy. Read our story below.
Here’s our history:
Founded in 2006, New Generation of African American Philanthropists (NGAAP-Charlotte) is a giving circle with members who share values around philanthropy and pool charitable dollars to give back to the community. We envision “a healthy, safe and prosperous community for African American families to live, work and flourish,” Our mission is “to promote philanthropy-the giving of time, talent and treasure-among African Americans in the Charlotte region, with the goal of enhancing the quality of life within our communities.” Our circle’s fund is hosted by Foundation For The Carolinas.
On June 8, 2006, a committee of the African American Community Foundation hosted a gathering at The Wadsworth Estate. The meeting was held in collaboration with community organizers Darryl Lester and Athan Lindsay, under a Ford Foundation-funded initiative to engage Black donors across the American South. In a room full of 60 people to generate ideas and momentum, a group of Charlotteans embarked on what would become the founding of New Generation of African American Philanthropists.
Through collective giving, civic engagement and grantmaking, we explore new as well as time-honored ways of giving and embrace a definition of philanthropy that encompasses gifts of not only money, but also time, energy and intellect. The Giving Back Project is our civic engagement initiative to reframe portraits of philanthropy and reclaim the root meaning of philanthropy—love of humanity—by celebrating African American history and traditions. The initiative began when we published the book Giving Back and has now evolved into a vehicle for sharing our collective stories, promoting inclusive and responsive philanthropy, stimulating reflective community giving. The multimedia exhibit “Giving Back: The Soul of Philanthropy Reframed and Exhibited,” our latest endeavor, is touring colleges and museums across the country. You can support and participate in our work by becoming a donor or donor-member of our giving circle.
Past anniversaries
Our giving circle began with 17 members as well as numerous friends, and over the past decade has grown to include over 30 members and a growing number of friends.
The 17 Founding Members of NGAAP-Charlotte:
“The man with no imagination has no wings.”
― Muhammad Ali (1942-2016)
Recent months have been a whirlwind. Never one for a dull moment, I jumped when presented an opportunity to attend the 2nd annual Masquerade Ball of the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA) at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City. Hat tip to Melissa and David for clearing the path for my attendance.
Laurie Angela Cumbo is the museum’s founder. Her graduate thesis at New York University led to the creation of MoCADA in 1999. It has evolved considerably in 17 years and is now pursuing a move to a larger facility.
MoCADA’s Mission
“Through exhibitions and programming, MoCADA incites dialogue on pressing social and political issues facing the African Diaspora, and fosters a dynamic space for the creation and continuous evolution of culture.”
A visual feast, the MoCADA Masquerade Ball fed my curious eyes and every sense and inch. The event space at BAM was filled with gorgeous decor and sitting areas, art and other items being auctioned, plentiful NOLA-inspired and Cuban cuisine, and of course NYC’s most gifted artists and beautiful people from across the Diaspora and beyond.
The program recognized the Museum’s impact and honored individuals who have positively influenced contemporary African diasporan arts, Brooklyn and the wider community. Singers Maxwell (!) and Estelle, along with style maven Bevy Smith were Honorary Gala Chairs.
As with past soirees (like this one and this one), experiences at MoCADA’s gala fueled ideas for the Gantt Center’s Jazzy Holiday Gala and other events. Unsurprising though, being a guest is way more fun than working as an event planner. That’s how it goes. — VF
Poem, NPM Make-Up Day 2
It has come to my attention
with speed of lightning from above
thus compelled I am to mention
I must find another love.— ava wood
“Long before Hillary Clinton wrote a book, Mrs. Fullwood knew it takes a village to raise children. Her daughter and I became best friends in kindergarten, so Mrs. Fullwood has been part of my life for ages and she schooled me on many lifelong lessons.” — Lisa Moore, from the Giving Back story “Mothering Teacher, Teaching Mother”
You can access and read Lisa’s full story via the QR code below. Happy Mother’s Day!
Poem, NPM Make-Day 1
Hard learned yet simple:
Live and give unsparingly,
head, heart, hands and soul.
— ava wood
Poem, Day 30
Today’s the last day of National Poetry Month, and I have a poem to share. But that’s not all! Like schools handle “snow days,” I’ll continue posting poetry during the first week of May to make up for the days I didn’t manage to post a poem. I estimate six or so make-up days.
This monthlong challenge that I set for myself has stretched and excited me. All and all, it’s been fun. I thrive from the pressure to highlight a poem with a new post by the end of each day.
I’m closing April with the poem that helped me break out of my shell as a poetry writer. Click the link for a short video version of “Truth Be Told,” a poem that opens my book Giving Back. — VF
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