With a roomful of 60 people to generate ideas and momentum, seven years ago today, 17 of us embarked on what was the founding of the giving circle New Generation of African American Philanthropists, also known as, NGAAP-Charlotte.

A great deal has occurred since our first gathering on June 8, 2006 at The Wadsworth Estate. The giving circle has ten additional members and we expect to add even more. Through grants, community service, civic engagement and leadership, NGAAP-Charlotte has invested close to $200,000 to nonprofits and the broader community to help create the change we wish to see. Our mission is: 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.

Below are members of NGAAP-Charlotte since 2006. The asterisks (*) indicate the 17 founding members.

Men Tchaas Ari*
Renee L. Bradford*
Heather Carty Ward*
Deborah Charles*
Rashad Davis*
Tonya Edwards
Dawn Fisher
Ed Franklin
Diatra Fullwood*
Valaida Fullwood*
Melandee Jones
Ohmar Land*
Eric Law*
Tameka Lester*
Clarence Lyons
Patricia Martelly*
Fontella McKyer*
Jennifer Miles
Vernetta Mitchell*
Cathy Peterson*
Meka Sales
Jenene Seymour*
Jehan Shamsid-Deen*
Idris Talib
Annette Taylor*
Charles W. Thomas, Jr.
Keysha Walker

Members of NGAAP-Charlotte | Photograph by Charles W. Thomas, Jr.