Glad to be a part of the Architect Team for Black Philanthropy Month 2013!
Black Philanthropy Month 2013: An August helping others reach for King’s dreams and mountaintops
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Author Archives: valaida
On The Horizon: An August of Dreams and Mountaintops
Black Philanthropy Month 2013 begins this week, and it’s “An August of Dreams and Mountaintops.” Below is content from the media release about BPM 2013.
Remembering 50 years of historic achievements with calls for greater African-descent giving and community-led change
The month of August has become a momentous time in the global history of the Black giving movement. Entering its third year of observance, Black Philanthropy Month 2013 (BPM 2013) is an unprecedented coordinated initiative to strengthen African-American and African-descent giving in all its forms. High-impact events, media stories, service projects and giving opportunities compose the campaign, which kicks off in August 2013 and continues through February 2014.
“Black Philanthropy Month gives our diverse communities an opportunity to celebrate and renew their rich, shared traditions of giving, self-help and innovation throughout the US and the world,” says Dr. Jackie Copeland-Carson, Executive Director, African Women’s Development Fund USA (AWDF USA).
Coinciding with commemorations of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and Dr. King’s unforgettable “I Have a Dream” speech, BPM 2013 provides both time for reflection on the state of the “dream” a half-century later and calls for action to address the most pressing challenges of the 21st century. With a base of activities in place, the primary goals of the campaign are to inspire people to improve their communities locally and globally, give back in smarter and more strategic ways and transform people’s lives for the better. Self-organized events, community conversations and charitable fundraising in recognition of BPM 2013 are encouraged.
Events across the country start in August 2013. Special gatherings taking place in cities nationwide include: a summit on Black philanthropy on Martha’s Vineyard; a Northern California benefit in support of improving maternal health in Africa; and a moderated panel discussion in Charlotte commemorating the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington while examining the history and possibilities of African-American giving and civic engagement. A regularly updated calendar of events can be found at BlackPhilanthropyMonth.com.
According to Tracey Webb, founder of BlackGivesBack.com, BPM 2013’s media hub, “Combining the power of print, broadcast and digital media will strengthen Black philanthropy’s voice and increase its impact for new times.”
BPM also aims to expand the ways that people give. Fund-raising efforts and community drives to be mounted and publicized in August and beyond include Black Gives Back to SchoolTM (school supplies and clothes); Community Investment Network 2013 National Conference (giving circles and collective giving); and AWDF USA’s Mother Africa Campaign (maternal health).
“We expect to see more people giving in strategic, new ways as well as groups investing in Black philanthropic know-how and leadership, across generations,” says Valaida Fullwood of the Giving Back Project.
“Empowering communities to be the change they wish to see will help shape the philanthropic landscape of the 21st century,” says Chad Jones, Executive Director, Community Investment Network.
Beginning this August, help us renew the commitment of time, voice or money to be a part of Black Philanthropy’s future. Join the campaign to create a diverse global community that Dr. King spoke of, thousands marched for and you can participate in.
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African Women’s Development Fund USA (AWDF USA) provides a vehicle for effective American philanthropy to Africa and builds the capacity of the continent’s women for social change and sustainable development. Through its research, public information and convening initiatives, it also seeks to highlight the tremendous impact that African women-led philanthropy and nonprofits are having on the lives of their families and communities across the continent and Diaspora.
BlackGivesBack.com (BGB) informs as the premier website on Black philanthropy since 2007, reaching readers in the U.S. and abroad and attracting major media attention. BGB uses original, in-depth and engaging philanthropy-themed story angles, vibrant imagery, features including “The Insider” that profiles African American donors and nonprofit and foundation executives, event coverage, celebrity philanthropy and more.
Community Investment Network (CIN), formed in 2003, invests in cultivating donors of color and giving circles and has emerged a leading national resource that bridges institutional philanthropy and diverse, everyday givers. From developing a new cadre of philanthropic leaders to facilitating learning-centered approaches, CIN empowers its members to give their time, talent, treasure and testimonials to be the change they wish to see.
The Giving Back Project (GBP) inspires by reframing portraits of philanthropy with stories, photography and community conversations. GBP emerged from the work of New Generation of African American Philanthropists (NGAAP-Charlotte) and led to the publication of Giving Back, the award-winning book by Valaida Fullwood that profiles African American giving. GBP ventures to ignite a movement of conscientious philanthropy by empowering a generation to recognize its power and responsibility to give back.
‘No Man Is An Island’
Referring to my Lab’s name Bali, I used to quote John Donne (see below) and joke that while “no man is an island,” a dog can be. My work in the international field took me to the paradise isle of Bali, Indonesia on numerous occasions, and it became a favorite vacation spot and the place of many sweet memories. So when I brought home my six-weeks-old puppy a decade ago, her name had already been chosen years prior.
After naming her for an island, I soon learned she would become anything but. For ten years Bali and I were in essence inseparable, and today I lost a piece of me. A furry “clod” of the best kind has left my world…and tonight my heart feels shattered.
Bali, 2003
Bali, 2013
No Man Is An Island
No man is an island,
Entire of itself,
Every man is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thy friend’s
Or of thine own were:
Any man’s death diminishes me,
Because I am involved in mankind,
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee.
John Donne
Black Philanthropy Month 2013: An August of Dreams and Mountaintops
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
— Martin Luther King, Jr., “I Have a Dream” speech, August 28, 1963
Did you know that August is Black Philanthropy Month?
You can help build greater public awareness and sharpen the impact of Black philanthropy. We are excited to introduce and invite your participation in a new multimedia, civic engagement campaign during Black Philanthropy Month 2013 (BPM 2013). Your support is needed to mount an unprecedented campaign to inform, inspire and invest in Black philanthropic leadership—online and offline as well as locally and globally.
August as Black Philanthropy Month was first declared and celebrated two years ago. This year holds special significance since August 2013 also marks the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and 1963 March on Washington. Commemoration of this watershed event gives cause for reflection and action and gave rise to the focal concept for BPM 2013: Of Dreams and Mountaintops.
Follow BlackPhilanthropyMonth.com for more information over the weeks to come.
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Your Cue to Queue Up for OnQ BarBQ
{ 2013 Non-Event Fundraiser }
No pesky mosquito bites.
No tipsy near-fights.
No skimpy sundresses.
No flimsy paper-plate messes.
No rain date.
No fear of being late.
No hickory smoke-scented hair.
No salmonella scare.
As a part of its “I Got 5 On It” fundraising campaign and build up to Season 5, On Q Performing Arts, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit theater company, invites you to a Summer Bar-B-Q that is absolutely NOT occurring on Friday, the 5th of July.
Here’s your invitation to our non-event fundraiser: http://paperless.ly/16cyQG3
Knowledge of Philanthropy Is Power
Not too long ago, a member of New Generation of African American Philanthropists visited KIPP Charlotte—the Knowledge Is Power Program—a free, open-enrollment, college preparatory school, serving students from 5th to 8th grade. Along a hallway wall, large yellow sheets charted students’ thoughts on philanthropy. In awe of the questions and the written responses of students, she snapped these photographs.
The co-founders of KIPP Charlotte, Tiffany Washington and Keith Burnam, are featured through stories and photography in Giving Back: A Tribute to Generations of African American Philanthropists. Here’s more about their school from its website:
“Ninety-three (93) percent of KIPP Charlotte students are African American, 4 percent Latino/Hispanic, 2 percent Multiracial, and 1 percent Caucasian. Over 70 percent qualify for the free and reduced meal program. KIPP Charlotte serves communities that are traditionally underserved and marginalized in education.
“The mission of KIPP Charlotte is to prepare all of our students to excel in the nation’s finest high schools and colleges by cultivating the habits of mind, character skills, and knowledge necessary for their success. We provide an education that will enable our students to lead full lives and empower our graduates to be the future leaders of Charlotte and agents of change in the world beyond.”
With KIPPsters in the world, our future looks to be in excellent hands.
— VF
Giving Rooted in History and Culture
Last week, Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. came to Charlotte to deliver his lecture “Finding Your Roots” and I was project manager of the nearly sold-out event hosted by the Gantt Center. Luckily I was able to share my book as a gift to him . . . and have a friend snap this photo.
June Days
“And what is so rare as a day in June?
Then, if ever, come perfect days;
Then Heaven tries earth if it be in tune,
And over it softly her warm ear lays;
Whether we look, or whether we listen,
We hear life murmur, or see it glisten;”
James Russell Lowell
What is So Rare as a Day in June
After yesterday’s post, I received this poem in its entirety from yet another friend “as good as springtime itself.” Soak in and savor the Summer Solstice! — VF
Carolina Springtimes, vol. II
Tomorrow is the summer solstice and official start of summer. Last month, I waxed poetic about Carolina springtimes. While I love the solstice, seeing spring leave is bittersweet.
Here’s another set of photos from earlier this spring. These are from my birthday visit to Charleston, South Carolina, specifically Middleton Place Farm and Gardens. My marvelous day at Middleton was a March surprise from a friend “as good as spring itself.” — VF
“When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest. The only thing that could spoil a day was people and if you could keep from making engagements, each day had no limits. People were always the limiters of happiness except for the very few that were as good as spring itself.”
Ernest Hemingway
A Moveable Feast
Seven Years Ago Today
With a roomful of 60 people to generate ideas and momentum, seven years ago today, 17 of us embarked on what was the founding of the giving circle New Generation of African American Philanthropists, also known as, NGAAP-Charlotte.
A great deal has occurred since our first gathering on June 8, 2006 at The Wadsworth Estate. The giving circle has ten additional members and we expect to add even more. Through grants, community service, civic engagement and leadership, NGAAP-Charlotte has invested close to $200,000 to nonprofits and the broader community to help create the change we wish to see. 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.
Below are members of NGAAP-Charlotte since 2006. The asterisks (*) indicate the 17 founding members.
Men Tchaas Ari*
Renee L. Bradford*
Heather Carty Ward*
Deborah Charles*
Rashad Davis*
Tonya Edwards
Dawn Fisher
Ed Franklin
Diatra Fullwood*
Valaida Fullwood*
Melandee Jones
Ohmar Land*
Eric Law*
Tameka Lester*
Clarence Lyons
Patricia Martelly*
Fontella McKyer*
Jennifer Miles
Vernetta Mitchell*
Cathy Peterson*
Meka Sales
Jenene Seymour*
Jehan Shamsid-Deen*
Idris Talib
Annette Taylor*
Charles W. Thomas, Jr.
Keysha Walker
Members of NGAAP-Charlotte | Photograph by Charles W. Thomas, Jr.
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