Category Archives: book event

The Heart of Community, Pictured

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An array of images compose the photo slideshow below from The Heart of Community: Reflections on Justice & Giving event, which featured readings of Giving Back. The New York City event was hosted by Resource Generation and North Star Fund  in observance of Black Philanthropy Month, on Monday, August 26, 2013. Simone Sneed, an organizer of the event, recently interviewed me.

Here’s an excerpt from Simone’s interview, now featured on The Huffington Post:

“The space was filled with diverse life experiences; profoundly personal stories of community transformation and an active desire and yearning to be in collective dialogue.

From the early years of giving that established the Black churches which provided a literal and figurative sanctuary for civil rights work, to the more recent philanthropic engagement of communities dedicated to economic and racial justice, Valaida’s work comes a critical moment in time.”

Gratitude abounds for Simone, Nitika Raj, Sarah Tabet, Marisol Ybarra and others with Resource Generation and North Star Fund who see the value of storytelling from a wide spectrum of voices and communities.

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‘Keep going, no matter what’

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Today is the last day of Black History Month and I have the pleasure of traveling to NYC for a special event on Black Philanthropy hosted by BlackGivesBack.com and JPMorgan.

“Keep going, no matter what.” — Reginald F. Lewis

For the event I will have the joy of interviewing author Christina Lewis Halpern, daughter of the late business titan Reginald Lewis. Christina recently published her memoir Lonely at the Top about her life and experiences as the daughter of a highly successful and acclaimed entrepreneur, attorney and philanthropist who died too early. You can buy Christina’s book at Amazon and follow her on Twitter at @clewishalpern. More on this event later….gotta catch a flight! — VF

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Until The Lion Writes

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Until the lion writes his own story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter. — African proverb

Sharing glorious stories of African American philanthropy at Poor Richard’s Book Shoppe during Black History Month 2013 with members of New Generation of African American Philanthropists! (Photos by Michael Sales)

We’re Bringing “Giving Back” . . .

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#GetYourGiveOn

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Here’s your invitation!

You're invited!

We’re Bringing ‘Giving Back’ at Poor Richard’s Book Shoppe is a free and family-friendly gathering, centered on Black Philanthropy. The evening of the 23rd will include:

Poor Richard’s, a family-operated business in uptown Charlotte, is a full-service, independent bookstore and multi-cultural venue.

New Generation of African American Philanthropists (NGAAP-Charlotte), a CIN giving circle, comprises member-donors who pursue a mission “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.”

We’re aiming to do for philanthropy what Justin does for sexy. Well…we’re certainly trying.

— VF

What A Treat

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It’s a treat to engage in a Giving Back book talk in Charlotte, my home city. Generous support from Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. and its African American Associate Network as hosts of the event is appreciated.

BABIP Hosts ‘Politics, Power and Philanthropy’

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Coming up in one week . . .

A Peachy Good Time

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“This book shares the stories of men and women whose philanthropy, big or small, is an indelible part of American history. Through their individual and collective generosity, children were educated, families were strengthened, communities were built and their legacy is a bridge for the next generation. On each page, I recognized—if not by name—the spirit of someone I know and respect. These lessons on the ‘love of humankind’ are universal.” — Deborah J. Richardson, executive vice president, National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Our Giving Back book event in Atlanta last week was a delight, and Charles and I are grateful to Deborah Richardson of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights for the opportunity to engage such a warm audience. As a setting, the Georgia-Pacific Auditorium was perfectly located in the heart of downtown on Peachtree Street. The NCCHR staff was professional, thorough and attentive to Charles and me as well as to every detail.

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Photo caption: Photographer Charles Thomas with portrait of his mother on stage screen at the Georgia-Pacific Auditorium in Atlanta. Event photography by Alex Johnson III.

Not only did we sell a lot of books, we met lots of great people affiliated with a wide range of foundations, networks, nonprofits and communities. We look forward to pursuing the newest opportunities presented in Atlanta, which include speaking at upcoming conferences and engaging groups of youth and college students.

Our deepest gratitude goes to our event sponsors and co-hosts in Atlanta:

  • National Center for Civil and Human Rights
  • African American Development Officers Network
  • The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation
  • The Community Foundation For Greater Atlanta
  • Georgia Tech Black Alumni Organization
  • National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter
  • Southeastern Network of African Americans in Philanthropy
  • Southeastern Council of Foundations

I’m personally thankful for the friends, family members and giving circle members who came to the event and helped us set up, sell books, feel supported and then, afterward, celebrate!

Booking It

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Charles and I have had the good fortunate of booking upward of a dozen Giving Back book events across Charlotte and other communities.

A recent book signing was hosted at my hometown church, Gaston Chapel AME in Morganton, North Carolina. Seeing family and friends, including former classmates and teachers, turning out in droves was the kind of delight you can only get at home. The Women’s Ministry that sponsored the event transformed the hall, spectacularly, for my book signing and awarded me a lovely engraved plaque, too. All too sweet for words.

Morganton is back on the schedule in February 2012. Burke County Public Library has selected me as the featured author for the 10th Annual “Gathering of the People.” It’s a culminating event in celebration of Black History Month that recognizes local African Americans who have made significant professional or community contributions. This is a wonderful honor, plus nothing rivals hometown love! (Well…except perhaps being utterly swept away by an impromptu Marley family book signing “event” during our Thanksgiving gathering in Asheboro, NC.)

Three back-to-back events are on the schedule next week. I’m pretty excited about the mix of settings and audiences each event will draw. One is the BPA Annual Meeting in DC where I’m the keynote speaker. Another is an program sponsored by the Charlotte Chapter of AFP. The third is at Park Road Books, a popular independent bookstore in Charlotte.

At the Park Road Books event, Charles and I will give our first joint “book talk” about our inspiration for the Giving Back Project, our collaboration on developing the book and our roller-coaster of ride while collecting the content and getting it published. Our talk will be followed by a Q&A session and book signing.

We hope you can come join us on Wednesday, December 7 at 7:00 pm.

Here’s your invitation!

— VF

Strengthening, Connecting Black Communities

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One week from today on December 5th, I have the privilege of sharing stories, experiences and lessons from the New Generation of African American Philanthropists giving circle and our Giving Back Project with members and guests of the Black Philanthropic Alliance (BPA) during its annual meeting in Washington, DC. Time with friends, colleagues and kindred spirits at the BPA event will be a treat given our common efforts to address community issues, collectively, through work, wealth and wisdom.

Charles W. Thomas Jr., photographer

I’m also excited about being a part of a program that will honor Tracey Webb, founder of The Black Benefactors giving circle and the blog BlackGivesBack.org. Tracey deserves recognition and applause for her pathbreaking work to profile Black philanthropy, online, to a wide national audience and for her leadership on grantmaking through her giving circle.

BPA is a network of professionals in philanthropy and nonprofits who identify, manage and influence investments and resources to strengthen and connect the Black community in the Washington, DC region.

The membership of BPA supports donors and nonprofit organizations through a variety of channels, including:

  • Networking and Community Building
  • Communications
  • Educational Programs and Special Events
  • Career News
  • A Vehicle for Giving

You can learn more at: blackphilanthropicalliance.org.

And if you live in DC or will be visiting our nation’s capital on the 5th, please come have breakfast with us at PNC Place at 800 17th Street, NW! — VF

Black. White. And Read All Over

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Join us this evening: http://paperless.ly/tlESYK