Fab Five!
Charles W. Thomas Jr., photographer
“The Philanthropic Five” featured here are friends and donor-members of the giving circle New Generation of African American Philanthropists (one of my fav photos!):
Five among an expansive circle of givers. Grateful for their inspiring stories and portraits in Giving Back.
Charles W. Thomas, photographer
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
— William A. Ward
An expressed thanks and acknowledgment of the sponsoring partners of the Giving Back Project. With their generous financial support—and that of 80 individual donors—New Generation of African American Philanthropists (NGAAP-Charlotte) is reframing portraits of philanthropy.
GivingVision Partners
Philanthropic organizations sponsoring the start-up of the Giving Back Project are:
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
BlueCross and BlueShield of North Carolina Foundation
GivingMomentum Partner
GivingJoy Partner
Thank you!
Here we go! The push to October: http://bit.ly/book4allseasons
51 months in the making
392 manuscript pages
8000 social media connections…and growing
76 wise and revealing quotes from the ages
200 narratives on what it means to give back
180 portraits of everyday Black philanthropists
4 centuries of an American legacy rooted in Africa
33 photo shoot locations
999,999 reasons to give
1 book to reframe portraits of philanthropy
It’s been a long journey, covering a lot ground. But it wasn’t traveled alone…and it ain’t over yet. Every day on the way to the October release of Giving Back presents a rugged trail of things to do—marked by steep learning curves, nerve-wracking ledges, inevitable road blocks and surprise mountaintop highs.
Stretches traveled with companions bring welcomed relief. Joining my sometimes lonesome walk are my family and friends and unexpected folks who brighten my spirits and share the load. Encounters with kind encouragers replenish my often-dry canteen with optimism. “Seizing the day” the other night with Michelle, Kathryn and Katie…and Emeril…did just that!
Pushing through the longest hauls, like now for instance, are a little less daunting when I recognize I’m not alone. It’s a comfort knowing at arm’s reach are circle members from New Generation of African American Philanthropists, the project’s photographer Charles Thomas and Dimeji Onafuwa and India Simpson of Casajulie. Without them, this trekker would have headed home 40-some months ago.
— VF
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
Charlotte Business Journal just ran a story (7.8.11) by Todd Cohen about Giving Back and New Generation of African American Philanthropists.
valaida 