Category Archives: Book

Swept Up

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Last week, as a guest blogger, I posted a written piece on Collective Influence, the Community Investment Network (CIN) blog. CIN is a national network of donors and giving circles and its mission is to inspire, connect and strengthen African Americans and communities of color to leverage their collective resources and create the change they wish to see.

Charles W. Thomas Jr., photographer

My giving circle New Generation of African American Philanthropists is a member of CIN, and my experiences within the Network were instrumental in the development of Giving Back. I’ve posted the CIN blog piece here for followers of my blog. It’s titled “A Confluence of Influence,” because that is precisely what has swept the Giving Back Project into a whirlpool of exciting possibilities.

A Confluence of Influence

“The nation’s premier multi-cultural awards show celebrating the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts as well as those individuals or groups who promote social justice through their creative endeavors” — About the 43rd NAACP Image Awards

More on the awards program a little later…first, I’d like to say that you never know what life has up her sleeve. Until it’s revealed, the best we can do is to stay purposeful, pursue our passions and prepare for the twists and turns that come our way.

About a year into forming our giving circle, I approached the members of New Generation of African American Philanthropists (NGAAP-Charlotte) with the idea of publishing a book about Black philanthropy. [Click here to read the full story]

The Indie Book that Could…and DID for Good!

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Alternately astonished, agog, giddy, daunted, delighted and more, my mind has been an emotional carousel since the release of my book Giving Back: A Tribute to Generations of African American Philanthropists. News that book critic Kam Williams recently listed Giving Back among the 10 Best Black Books of 2011 set my head spinning deliriously and it hasn’t slowed yet.

The fact that a homemade (i.e., independently published) book by novices merited ranking among those of seasoned authors and publishing house giants is remarkable, to say the least. While I set my sights sky high from the outset and then joined with others to pour my soul into producing a compelling book, uncertainty loomed over whether Giving Back would garner extensive national attention, however well done or worthy.

Three months after the book’s release, wide praise, media buzz, brisk sales and coast-to-coast readers have pushed aside prior concerns. Making a top-ten list further affirms our work and casts a spotlight that few indie books capture.

Giving Back is presently a contender for a 43rd NAACP Image Award nomination for Literature. The Hollywood Bureau organizes the awards program, which is “the nation’s premier event celebrating the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts as well as those individuals or groups who promote social justice through their creative endeavors.” There are 53 award categories, spanning television, motion picture, recording and literature. Giving Back is vying for one of five nominations in the Outstanding Literary Work – Non-fiction category.

Receiving a nomination would brighten the spotlight on Black philanthropy and usher in exciting opportunities. I don’t know what our chances are for a nomination, but I do know that Giving Back has already overcome formidable odds, which leaves me optimistic. Without benefit of a publishing industry “machine” to promote the nomination, Charles, NGAAP-Charlotte and I are relying largely on friends, family and grassroots publicity to get the word out. Goodness knows, It’s worked wonders so far.

Here are things you can do to help Giving Back secure a nomination:

If Giving Back actually secures a nomination in January, then dues-paying NAACP members can vote (online, I think) for Giving Back. More on this later. First things first.

Oh . . . and if you missed it, here’s the list:

  1. Sister Citizen by Melissa V. Harris-Perry
  2. Fatal Invention by Dorothy Roberts
  3. Who’s Afraid of Post-Blackness? by Touré
  4. Muzzled by Juan Williams
  5. A Reason to Believe by Governor Deval Patrick
  6. Ashamed to Die by Andrew J. Skerritt
  7. Super Rich by Russell Simmons
  8. Giving Back by Valaida Fullwood
  9. Fail Up by Tavis Smiley
  10. High on the Hog by Jessica B. Harris

Whatever the outcome with the NAACP Image Awards, I’m thrilled and honored to share the stories, images and cultural legacy of Giving Back. — 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

‘Happiness Doubled by Wonder’

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“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” — G.K. Chesterton

Photography by Charles W. Thomas Jr.

Remain mindful throughout this season…and may your Thanksgiving Day be ever most wondrous. — VF

Monday Morning Shout-out

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So grateful for all the folks who participated in our “Giving Back” video shoot last Friday. Over 20 people, including several children and teens, took part in the shoot for a trailer for the book Giving Back. The day was fantastically fun and everyone brought great energy.

Thank you to Lisa Moore and Bailand Bohannon, Rashad Davis (we appreciate the lunch that you provided!), Diatra Fullwood, Melissa Harris, Terry Tiamd, Cathy Peterson, Q and The Bazzelles, The Bradfords and The Thomases.

Studio space was kindly provided by WTVI, Charlotte’s PBS station. I’m appreciative to Eric Davis for making the connection and to Rick Fitts, Jere Thomas and Jeannie Fry for providing support during our time at WTVI.

The gifted Sino Chum of Camko Studios is our professional videographer. Sino worked nearly nonstop over an intense 48-hour period and crisscrossed the country—from Denver to Charlotte to Columbia to Charlotte and back to Denver—to make it all happen. Thank you Sino for your time and enthusiasm!

I’m also filled with gratitude for the dear friend who generously gave a donation to make the video shoot possible. Wow!

We’re aiming to release the main video around Thanksgiving, which marks the start of the season of giving. Please look out for the video’s release and then help us circulate it by sharing the link with family and friends.

‘A Long Overdue Spotlight’

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It’s been one month since the release of Giving Back and we continue to receive gratifying commentary on the book from leaders within the field of philanthropy. Below is a generous statement from Judy Belk.

“Giving Back shines a long overdue spotlight on the legacy of giving which is so much a part of the African American community’s DNA and spirit. Writer Valaida Fullwood and photographer Charles Thomas Jr. have beautifully captured both in words and pictures untold stories of generosity which move and inspire. Giving Back should be positioned in a place of honor on the bookshelf and coffee table of every black family in America.”
— Judy Belk, senior vice president, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors

Mr. and Mrs. Jones

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“Light glorifies everything. It transforms and ennobles the most commonplace and ordinary subjects.” — Leonard Misonne, photographer

One of the stories featured in Giving Back pays tribute to Carlotta and Johnnie Jones—ordinary people with an extraordinary philanthropic spirit. Faith and long family traditions provide light for their path of generous giving. The Jones’s firm beliefs and lifelong example inspired their daughter Melandee to share her story for the book.

Their enlightened family legacy lives on. Melandee serves on the boards of Arts For Life, BDPA and Citizen Schools. She also is member of New Generation of African American Philanthropists, a giving circle that gives back. — VF

MISTER JONES | Charles W. Thomas Jr., photographer

‘A way of feeling, of touching, of loving…’

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Charles W. Thomas Jr, photographer

“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything” — Aaron Siskind, photographer

We’ve begun scheduling book events to share Giving Back—our newly published book that reframes portraits of philanthropy. Our next one is a book signing at The Light Factory Contemporary Museum of Photography and Film on Thursday, October 27 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

You’re invited! Here’s your invitation via Paperless Post, along with an R.S.V.P. card.

Let us know if you plan to come by. The Bookmark will be selling books…and we would like to ensure enough books on site for you and others to purchase.

Hope to see you at The Light Factory! — VF

Goodreads Giveaway Winners

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A colleague told me about Goodreads.com and its book giveaway program to promote new releases. So I signed up. For the giveaway, I offered two complimentary copies of Giving Back to book lovers across the United States as well as Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa, Kenya…and a few favorite island nations.

The book promotion ran for about six weeks and 539 readers entered the contest which ended last night. This morning I’m pleased to announce the winners are: Brad M. of Hilo, Hawaii and Claire A. of West Sussex, England.

Brad and Claire will soon receive their copy of Giving Back, and hopefully they’ll love it, rate it with 4 or 5 stars, write book reviews and share news of it with their friends.

The Goodreads Book Giveaway is a wonderful way to connect with fellow book worms around the world and to introduce a new book, worldwide. Arguably, I’ve won more than Brad and Claire. Thanks Goodreads.com! — VF

Valaida Fullwood (author), Charles W. Thomas Jr. (photographer) and Casajulie (cover and book designer)

Five Things

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New Generation of African American Philanthropists is relying largely on word of mouth and grassroots marketing to publicize the release of Giving Back, so we’re asking readers to help spread the word. Below are five things you can do to help publicize Giving Back—our new book that reframes portraits of philanthropy. 

5 Things You Can Do to Help Publicize Giving Back

  1. Post a book review on one or more online sites for book buyers, e.g. Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and Goodreads.com
  2. “Like” the Facebook page for Giving Back
  3. Tell a friend about Giving Back 
  4. Follow us on Twitter: @valaidaf and @sankofaphotog
  5. Buy copies of Giving Back as a gift for friends and family

Participate in sharing our stories, for good! Every book purchased keeps giving, since proceeds are invested in philanthropic causes—and since the stories inspire readers to give. Thank you.