GIVING BACK: A Tribute to Generations of African American Philanthropists

• Reimagined in 2015 as the multimedia exhibit, The Soul of Philanthropy, with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Since then the work has been exhibited in nearly 20 communities across the U.S.
• Winner of the prestigious 2012 McAdam Book Award, recognizing the most inspirational and useful new book published for the nonprofit sector
• Listed among the 10 Best Black Books of 2011
• Submitted for a 2012 NAACP Image Award nomination for ”Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction”

Giving Back celebrates the giving spirit and vibrant philanthropic traditions among Americans of African descent.

Rarely acknowledged as philanthropy, centuries-old cultural customs and beliefs nevertheless continue to have an impact on lives and communities. Images and narratives of more than 200 people commemorate the legacy of Black philanthropists—from generous donors of wealth to ingenious givers carving a way out of no way.

In Giving Back, Valaida Fullwood poignantly chronicles the African American philanthropy experience. Intimate vignettes and candid reflections reveal a myriad of philanthropic practices grounded in faith, mutuality, and responsibility. Fullwood juxtaposes personal accounts from a cross section of Black philanthropists with fascinating quotes from givers and game-changers across cultures to illuminate transcendent truths and elicit new thinking about philanthropy.

Photographer Charles W. Thomas Jr. beautifully captures images that portray the joy, aspiration, remembrance, and resilience that characterize black philanthropy. Pairing photographic portraiture and narrative, Thomas and Fullwood give readers over 160 artful page spreads that enliven the soul of philanthropy and honor the legacy of America’s Black philanthropists.

A perfect gift book, Giving Back offers wells of inspiration for generous souls and lovers of photography, culture, and humanity. Every book purchased will keep giving, since the proceeds will be invested in philanthropic causes—and since the stories themselves will inspire readers to give.

Giving Back is like chicken and dumplings 

for the giver’s soul . . .warm, familiar and

 filled with rich and nourishing content.

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This philanthropic book project is in pursuit of the mission of the collective giving circle New Generation of African American Philanthropists—a giving circle that gives back. It was made possible by the generous contributions of 80 individual donors and nine sponsoring partners, which include: Foundation For The Carolinas, John S. and James L Knight Foundation, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, The Duke Endowment, NCGives, Charlotte Post Foundation, Piedmont Natural Gas, Community Investment Network and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation.

Book design by Casajulie Visual Communication

If there’s a book you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it. — Toni Morrison