Appreciative to the fabulously thoughtful and generous Tracey Webb, creator of BlackGivesBack.com, for today’s feature story about Giving Back.
Yes, We Give Back
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Category Archives: Book
A Gem Indeed
While previewing the manuscript for Giving Back, Ruby Bright, a foundation executive, told me, “I turn each page being filled with pride, hope, joy and love for my people.” That statement was compliment enough, then she sent the extended commentary below, which left me speechless.
Charles W. Thomas, Jr., photographer
“Never again will I frame my conversation on how African Americans give under the guises of ‘Black people give differently—our philanthropy is different because we primarily see giving through our faith.’ We give holistically!
“Valaida Fullwood’s Giving Back captivated me from the cover photo where I connected with the hands—memories of my grandmother’s skin—lined with dreams deferred and the promise of aspirations and achievement. Giving Back is indeed a form of personal engagement as well as deep conversation sharing. It is undeniably the missing formula to the roots of African American philanthropy.
“Simply stated, “Giving Back, through stories of everyday people aided with photography of the moment, is poignant and more of a revelation than any article or research publication on the topic of African American giving.
“Since reading Giving Back, from now on, I will tell my philanthropy story with pride and without excuses or apologies.”
— Ruby Bright, executive director, Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis
Cup Overflowing
Generous advance praise continues to pour in for our forthcoming book Giving Back. Duke Energy Foundation President Stick Williams recently provided the following commentary:
“You just never know what will generate the spark that transforms a life, a community or a people. It might be that kind, encouraging word; or maybe ‘a couple of bucks to help you get by;’ how about the time that you spent with me sharing the secrets to your success; or, the scholarship that you gave privately so I could attend summer camp. You just never know what little thing (or great thing) will provide that inspiration for another to soar to higher heights.
Charles W. Thomas, Jr., photographer
“That message is loud and clear within Giving Back. It leaps out at you when you read the individual profiles that are provided by sons, daughters, mentees and admirers. It is prevalent in the responses to the book’s probing questions. “Giving Back will be a great read for anyone who has an interest in making a difference!”
— Richard “Stick” Williams, president, Duke Energy Foundation
A Mighty Cloud of Joy
Wordle.net
This week’s word cloud using commentary from advance readers of Giving Back.
c.o.u.n.t.d.o.w.n.
Here we go! The push to October: http://bit.ly/book4allseasons
When Quiet Hopes Come
Charles W. Thomas Jr., photographer
Selected advance readers of Giving Back have begun sharing their commentary on the book over the last week. With an easy willingness, both strangers and acquaintances known widely for intense work and demanding itineraries have, one by one, agreed to read my 400-page manuscript. That astounds me. And then, after reading the work, one responds with these words . . .
“Through a rich tapestry of voices and images, including inspirational interviews, stunning photographs, thoughtful commentary, and wide-ranging quotations, Giving Back captures the essence and generosity of African American donors as never before. No one—including the leaders of non-profit organizations—could fail to be moved and enlightened by these vivid reminders of the potential of African American philanthropy.
“The book is beautiful and so inspirational, I now know what I will be getting everyone as a Christmas present!”
— Michele Minter, Vice President for Development, The College Board
Still over the moon.
— VF
A Thousand Words Spoken
“Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.” — Henry Ward Beecher
Today is the birthday of Charles W. Thomas, Jr., the photographer for Giving Back. I’m taking the occasion to publicly thank Charles for collaborating with me on this project. Our dispositions and skill-sets proved a good match; however, it was a shared pride in our cultural heritage and love of our community’s stories that defined our work together. (Though, my loyalties as a Tarheel might rightfully be questioned for working so well with a Duke grad! Sorry about that.)
Still an amazingly vivid memory, my initial conversation with Charles happened almost four years ago. We had crossed paths professionally, but neither of us truly knew the other or had never even had a one-on-one conversation. Months earlier, I had conceived of and mapped out the book project and was now in search of a photographer.
I wanted to find someone who would approach the project with an artist’s eye and could capture the striking beauty of our people and our stories. Knowing of his affiliation with The Light Factory Contemporary Museum of Photography and Film, Charles had been on my list of prospective photographers, and several people in Charlotte’s arts community also had suggested I meet with him.
During our meeting, I unfolded my vision of the book and shared notes from a concept paper. Charles held an amused look as I rambled on about what I envisioned and the timeline and the resources and the logistics for making it happen. He expressed his past desire to pursue a similar concept. As we talked further, there was clear alignment of our values and artistic aspirations.
A crucial move, choosing Charles as my photography partner on the project was no doubt divinely inspired. His collaboration has been a God-sent steadying force—from his initial blind faith in my vision to his level-headedness, patience, professionalism and generosity. During the photo shoots, he established a trusting rapport with each person and thus captured telling images. He also was easy about the unexpected twists and turns of the project and the constant stream of ideas coming from me.
You will soon see, in each of the 180 photographs featured in Giving Back, a thousand words spoken not only about every subject but also about the wide soul and genius nature of Charles Thomas.
Thank you and have a happy birthday Charles!
— VF
Braiding hair
In Giving Back, we ask: What’s distinctive about Black philanthropy?
Here’s a response . . .
“How dynamic it is—just like African Americans. Our philanthropy can take on many shapes and forms, from taking care of neighborhood children to preparing meals, from sharing our artistic talents tobraiding hair or donating dollars.” — Meka S. Sales
Charles W. Thomas Jr., photographer
Story in Today’s Philanthropy Journal
My giving circle, New Generation of African American Philanthropists and our book project featured in Philanthropy Journal (7.12.11): http://bit.ly/CLTgivingcircle.
Over the Moon
Over the past week, I’ve begun receiving “advance commentary” on Giving Back. Selected readers of prominence, from across the country, have been more than generous with praise of the book’s stories and photography, and their affirmation means the world to me.
For more than four years, I was burrowed deeply in a writer’s hole and afflicted with a brutal case of tunnel vision in order to make this book happen. Making it happen meant not only generating the book’s content but also raising considerable funds and navigating the publishing industry, all of which were foreign to me.
Nevertheless, nothing could keep me from where my sights were cast. With remarkable clarity from the start, my mind’s eye held tight a vision that only sharpened over time. Though the vision was clear, the path was uncertain…really uncertain and seemingly treacherous at times. Trusting a gut sense while feeling my way through the dark and benefiting from gracious gestures made by Charles, family, friends and giving circle members helped move the book project forward.
After following a path that has tested every ounce of my soul and being, I’m sent higher than the sky to find that Giving Back can withstand the brightness outside the burrow and, in fact, shows best in the light of the wider world. When readers tell me they’ve seen, felt, thought and learned the things I long hoped someone…anyone…would, then it seems the years, the sacrifices and the times being misunderstood have been worth it.
Here’s one of the submissions from an advance reader that sent me flying over the moon:
“Astonishing . . . so beautiful, so deep and yet so inviting.
“Giving Back belongs in every American home, not just every home of Americans of African descent. Each page connects the readers and the children they love to generosity that God, the Declaration of Independence and our awe-inspiring Black forebears taught us all. A visual triumph. A story that has not been told!”
— Dr. Claire Gaudiani, author of The Greater Good, Generosity Unbound and Daughters of the Democracy
valaida 