Mr. Wallace Pruitt of Seversville | Photography by Charles W. Thomas Jr.
“Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Another exquisite truth from yesterday’s NCNG luncheon keynote by Martin Eakes of Self-Help, paired with a portrait from Giving Back. — VF
Earlier today at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro, I participated in the annual meeting of North Carolina Network of Grantmakers (NCNG). Joining me on the panel were CIN members Tim McIntosh and Darryl Lester. Our session on bold and unconventional philanthropy drew an audience of over 80 people, who listened intently and posed thoughtful questions.
Over lunch, Martin Eakes, founder of Self-Help, delivered a stirring and, at times, eyebrow-raising keynote message about moving people from “poverty to justice” and the possibilities and responsibilities of philanthropy, today and into the future. His speech punctuated the words and philanthropic deeds of the panelists in my session. In wrapping up, Martin shared a passage from one of his favorite quotes (and mine, too), which is featured in Giving Back. If only more work in philanthropy were threaded with this exquisite truth.
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. This struggle may be a moral one; or it may be a physical one; or it may be both moral and physical; but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.” ― Frederick Douglass
Warmth with Scattered (Word) Clouds
Wordle.net
“A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” — William Arthur Ward
Mr. and Mrs. Jones, parents of Melandee Jones | Charles W. Thomas Jr., photographer
“The humility, sincerity and genuine spirit of African American philanthropy are what move me the most. There is not a sense of needing to advertise or make political plays—it’s a sincere desire to help another human being, and that is the true meaning of philanthropy. Our community is great at this and has a great tradition of giving, sharing and caring.”
— Melandee Jones, member of New Generation of African American Philanthropists with a tribute story about her parents featured in the book Giving Back
Black History Month begins, again.
“Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.”
— Carter G. Woodson, Ph.D., The Father of Black History (1875–1950)
Charles W. Thomas, Jr., photographer
“Pity may represent little more than the impersonal concern which prompts the mailing of a check, but true sympathy is the personal concern which demands the giving of one’s soul.”
— Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.” — Rabindranath Tagore
It’s been a while since I posted a word cloud (fyi, word clouds happen to be one of my favorite things ever). Here’s one reflecting recent posts on this blog.
Wordle.net
And you can always revisit this cloud…and this one…and this one…and this one, too.
Have a wonder-filled day!
— VF
“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
“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
“Storytelling reveals meaning without committing the error of defining it.” — Hannah Arendt
Charles W. Thomas Jr., photographer
Giving Back: A Tribute to Generation of African American Philanthropists—reframing portraits of philanthropy by telling our stories.
valaida 