Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17
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Author Archives: valaida
BIG Night for the Gantt Center
B I G T H A N K S. B I G H E I G H T S. B I G N I G H T.
Dancer from Dance Theatre of Harlem
For the past four years, I’ve been the event consultant on the Jazzy Holiday fundraising events of the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts+Culture. Year after year, I have witnessed the event grow in a myriad of ways, so this year I picked the theme “BIG” for Jazzy. It seems the universe was listening and served up an event bigger than I ever imagined. Every element seemed to come “super-sized”.
The 2015 Jazzy Holiday Gala took place at the Charlotte Convention Center on Saturday, December 5. The event featured not only big art, a “big cheese” table, a big bar, big opportunities to give and a big band called Big Blast and the Party Masters but also preview performances by the world-renowned Dance Theater of Harlem and Spirit of the Center awards to Duke Energy, arts patrons Dr. Yele Aluko and Dr. Shirley Aluko-Houston, and Lonnie Bunch of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. People and entities of huge prominence in their respective spheres.
And arguably best of all, the event helped the Gantt Center raise over $500,000—the largest amount ever raised in the 35-year history of the “Jazzy” fundraising luncheons and galas. We set our intention with the BIG concept, and it was delivered, big time!
Here’s a link to a Storify.com recap of the event and below are some event photographs, along with a written account of the organizing concept that framed Jazzy 2015.
Organizing Concept for Jazzy 2015
Last year the Gantt Center celebrated its 40th anniversary. Now, in the 41st year, the Center sits in full recognition of its evolution from a seed of an idea into a big institution. After tremendous growth since 1974, the mission and daily work of the Center are reflected in a big building, big city, big contributions, big membership roll, big opportunities, big expectations and more.
While big is perceived the ultimate attainment, big things are realized only through the sum of innumerable little things and small acts. Decades are built on brief moments. An art collection begins with one piece. One spellbinding performance bursts from practiced small moves. A masterful painting emerges from a thousand brushstrokes. The largesse of a major donor begins with the experiences of a once impressionable child. Little things make big things happen.
The 2015 Jazzy Holiday Gala is designed as an expression of gratitude and recognition of the bigness and boldness of the Gantt Center and of Black culture. Without a multitude of everyday achievements, small contributions, untold sacrifices and mundane milestones, we could have never reached the grand heights of today. And without ongoing community commitment, both large and small, we will never fulfill our biggest dreams, our most audacious hopes or our immense potential to be great.
Click a photo to access the sideshow format.
View while peeking out from backstage…
Morning view from nearby hotel while recovering from the BIG night.
Photographs courtesy of the Gantt Center as well as from my iPhone and social media
— VF
BPM 2015: Report For Our Community of Stakeholders
Giving augustly, in August and year-round
Excerpt from the BPM 2015 Report For Our Community of Stakeholders:
This year’s focal concept was A Season of Change—a timely assertion that Black giving matters. News reports and personal experiences of racial discord, disturbing shootings, unsettling indignities and pervasive inequities serve as reminders of why traditions of giving and collective action for human rights and social change have been vital in Black communities for centuries. As a month-long campaign, BPM 2015 comprised activities—online and in communities—to inspire people to give back in smarter and more strategic ways and transform one another’s lives for the better.
BPM continues to offer an extraordinary opportunity for concerted efforts, globally, to address the most pressing challenges of the 21st century. The BPM Architecture Team relishes that each year growing numbers of diverse communities celebrate and renew rich, shared traditions of giving, self-help and innovation throughout the United States and the world. And while August shines a white-hot spotlight, Black philanthropy abounds 365 days a year.
21st Century Philanthropy: Changing The World In A Changing World
Panelists for December 9th event, hosted by AFP-Charlotte
If you’re in or near Charlotte, come to Wednesday’s AFP-Charlotte panel discussion and holiday social at Levine Museum of the New South, which features The Soul of Philanthropy exhibit.
I’m moderating the 12.09.15 discussion, titled “Fundraising in a Changing World”. Here are the panelists, who are listed in the order of the photos above:
- Christina Theodorou, UNC American Indian Center
- Diane Evia-Lanevi, Tomorrow Fund for Hispanic Students
- Charles Thomas, New Generation of African American Philanthropists
- Diep Tran, Charlotte Circle of Friends a giving circle affiliated with AAPIP
- Steve Bentley, Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Fund
READ MORE: http://www.icontact-archive.com/jp_xUj0qFyktMLO8BwbS6e4mI7QwQSOx?w=1
BGB :: Black Giving Matters Interview with Terri B. Eason of The Cleveland Foundation
Today marks the last day of Community Foundation Week (November 12-18). Since the 12th, BlackGivesBack.com has highlighted staff, board members and donors at community foundations that are demonstrating a strong commitment to informing, inspiring, investing in and involving Black philanthropic leadership.
This year’s final #CFWeek post profiled Cleveland-native, Terri Bradford Eason, who is Director of Gift Planning at The Cleveland Foundation—a 101 year-old institution that holds the distinction of being the world’s first community foundation.
I had the pleasure of meeting Terri about four years ago as a part of her work with the Foundation’s African-American Philanthropy Committee (AAPC). AAPC was created in 1993 to promote awareness and education to African Americans about the benefits of wealth and community preservation through philanthropy.
READ MORE: Black Giving Matters: Interview with Terri Bradford Eason of The Cleveland Foundation
Terri Bradford Eason volunteering at Ronald McDonald House in Cleveland, Ohio
From BGB :: Ivye L. Allen, President, Foundation for the Mid South
In observance of Community Foundation Week (#CFWeek), November 12-18, 2015, I’m delighted to share a BlackGivesBack.com profile on Dr. Ivye L. Allen, President of the Foundation for the Mid South, located in Jackson, Mississippi.
While we’ve yet to meet in person, Dr. Allen has been a tremendous supporter of The Giving Back Project and source of encouragement for me. She reviewed a galley version of Giving Back and provided advance praise. Most recently, her foundation awarded major grant funds to bring The Soul of Philanthropy to three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the mid-South region.
Community philanthropy is crucial for vibrant local communities. It’s fulfilling to highlight the staff, board members and donors at community foundations that are demonstrating strong commitment to informing, inspiring, investing in and involving Black philanthropic leadership.
READ MORE: Community Foundation Week Profile: Dr. Ivye L. Allen, President of Foundation for the Mid South
Dr. Ivye L. Allen, President, Foundation For The Mid South
From BGB :: ‘The Soul of Philanthropy’ Exhibit and Programs Open in Houston
“This is an exhilarating display of photographs, quotes and digital programming that educates the public about the importance of philanthropy and the historical aspects of giving in the Black community.”
— Camillia Rodgers, Ph.D., Executive Director, Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, Houston, TX
READ MORE at BlackGivesBack.com: ‘The Soul of Philanthropy’ Exhibit and Programs Open in Houston
From BGB :: Philanthropy of Five Black Families Reaches Record High for Charles H. Wright Museum
Members of The Five who contributed $100K each
“My goal was to have an African American donor giving $100,000 for each decade of the Museum’s 50-year history….I am so proud to say that we have accomplished that goal!”
— Wright Gala Chair Vivian Rogers Pickard, President of the General Motors Foundation and Director, Corporate Relations for General Motors Company
Visit BlackGivesBack.com for my latest story: Philanthropy of Five Black Families Reaches Record High for Charles H. Wright Museum.
The Wright Gala: Beautiful and Inspiring Philanthropy
Take your seat at The Wright Gala
Good fortune landed me in Detroit earlier this month at The Wright Gala 2015. Star-studded and spectacular, the gala celebrated 50 years of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and carried the theme Inspiring Beauty.
In a room filled with exquisite orchids, rich decor and gorgeous guests, the most beautiful thing about the gala is that it generated a record 1.8 million dollars for the Museum, including a half million dollars contributed by five Detroit-based African American families and businesses that contributed gifts of 100,000 dollars, each. Kudos to the woman with the vision and finesse to achieve this formidable goal—Wright Gala Chair Vivian Rogers Pickard, President of the General Motors Foundation and Director, Corporate Relations for General Motors Company!
Below is a photo slideshow from “the most successful fundraiser in the Wright Museum’s history” (click a photo to access the slideshow and captions). Learn more about the Wright Museum, and check out my story about the gala today on BlackGivesBack.com.
Photographs courtesy of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Take your seat at The wright Gala
Celebrate a “Journey” of 50 years
The scene is set.
Every detail attended.
Arriving gala guests
Enthralling “tableaux vivants” transport guests from Africa to the Americas
And the guests keep coming
More than 1,100 gala guests in total
More “tableaux vivants”
Stirring scenes from American history
Artful. Historical. Moving
More scenes from our history
Into the ballroom foyer
Cocktail reception, a prelude to the gala
Step and repeat
Bites and beverages
Libations and lounging
Wright Gala guests
Silent art auction
Wright Gala guests
Wright Gala guests, including featured celebrity Blair Underwood
Wright Gala guests
Wright Gala guests
Wright Gala guests
Wright Gala guests
Into the ballroom
#InspiringBeauty
#Wright50Years
#InspiringBeauty
#Wright50Years
#InspiringBeauty
Find your seat
Opening the program
Museum President Juanita Moore
Guests with Jesse Jackson Sr., who delivered the invocation
#InspiringBeauty
#Wright50Years
#InspiringBeauty
Gala Chair Vivian Rogers Pickard
Members of The Five who contributed $100K each
#Wright50Years
Linda Johnson Rice, Chairman, Johnson Publishing Company
Desiree Rogers and Linda Johnson Rice of Johnson Publishing Company
Program Hosts
Surprise gift from Ford Motor Company
Key to a NEW Ford van for community outreach
Museum President Juanita Moore celebrates 50th anniversary
An unforgettable evening
Let the real partying begin…
Nikia Washington (l), the Museum’s PR & Social Media Manager
Follow the hashtag for more media stories and photos
What A Night!
Watch: On The Road With ‘Soul’
After fielding a variety of questions about The Soul of Philanthropy from inquiring museums, colleges, community-based nonprofits and funders, instead of a FAQ sheet, I decided to compile images from exhibitions and programs, to date.
Since pictures speak a thousand words (at least), photographs provide institutions that are interested in hosting the exhibit a window for visualizing their possibilities. My hope is that the compilation of photos—from the multimedia, comprehensive exhibit and the pop-up, abridged edition—allow people to observe variations and options for installation, based on a venue’s gallery space and the imagination of the exhibition designer. Set to classic soul music, the video speaks volumes about the multimedia exhibit and its public programs that reframe portraits of philanthropy.
Please watch, enjoy and share!
Note, you can follow my work on The Soul of Philanthropy via Facebook.
valaida 
