Day 16

Posted on 16 April 2016 by valaida

Gave away my soul

Giving back to get it back

Given what I know

Poem, Day 16

After returning from the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff (UAPB), which held a reception and program in conjunction with The Soul of Philanthropy exhibit, today I’m re-posting a featured haiku from my book and exhibit. I wrote this one about five or six years ago on a day I was playing around with various idioms and conjugated forms of the verb to give. The haiku emerged pretty quickly and effortlessly and it perfectly sums up my thoughts, then and now.

The UAPB exhibit in Hathaway-Howard Fine Arts Center was beautiful and filled with students wandering through. Below are some photos from my Arkansas visit. — VF

Soul-Full Synchronicity

Posted on 26 March 2016 by valaida

TSOP exhibit pic at NCSU

Portland, Oregon is a city I’ve yet to visit (with the exception of a airport stop en route to Thailand years ago, but that doesn’t really count and I digress). Until recently it was completely off my radar. But over the last few months it’s been like a magnetic field, pulling me and dynamic, creative minds in proximity.

Last year, while working on a project with artist and designer Dimeji Onafuwa (a longtime collaborator with me AND graphic designer of my book and exhibit), he said his family was relocating to Portland. Surprised, I pressed him to tell me about Portland and its appeal. Dimeji spoke fondly of the civic culture, scenery and opportunities. He offered to host me if I ever found myself in the Northwest.

digital display_VF Then weeks later, while working on a project with artist and designer Marcus Kiser (also a longtime collaborator), he was excited to share that his exhibit, Intergalactic Soul, might have a showing in Portland. Marcus’s art exhibit brings together science fiction and social awareness—imagination x consciousness. He asked about my experiences with a touring exhibit, and I shared some vendors and wisdom gained from The Soul of Philanthropy Reframed and Exhibited.

Within days of that conversation, an inquiry about “The Soul of Philanthropy” arrived from Portland’s MRG Foundation—a philanthropic institution working for social change in Oregon communities for 40 years. A few days after that, a second Oregon foundation called about hosting my exhibit in Portland. [cue theme music from The Twilight Zone] “Whoa…what’s up with this reoccurring Portland thing,” I mused.

To cut to the chase: It’s now March and last month Marcus, along with artist Jason Woodberry and performer Quentin Talley (who’s another super-longtime collaborator and whose poetry is featured in The Soul of Philanthropy) traveled to Portland for an “Intergalactic Soul” exhibition at Portland Community College, in conjunction with a panel discussion and performance. “The Soul of Philanthropy,” pop-up edition, will be hosted by MRG Foundation and community partners in August—Black Philanthropy Month. Together, MRG Foundation and The Oregon Community Foundation will then host the comprehensive version of “The Soul of Philanthropy” with community-wide programming for three months, starting in January 2017. Whoa, indeed.

We’re picturing social change.

— VF

The Soul of Philanthropy: ‘Deeper than your pockets’

Posted on 22 February 2016 by valaida

The Soul of Philanthropy exhibit is borne of an unwavering belief that philanthropy is deeper than your pockets and, in fact, that the most potent philanthropy is derived from a blend of what’s within your hands, heart, head and soul. The soul being the core of who you are—the essence of your identity. Besides, what genuine and substantive good could ever come of soulless giving?

As of this week, the exhibit is on display at three venues: NC State University (comprehensive version), Levine Museum of the South (pop-up edition) and WV State University (pop-up edition). Each exhibition presents soulful imagery and narratives to bring to light universal truths about generosity and to inspire conscious giving.

WV Initiative Part of Changing Face of Philanthropy

Posted on 14 February 2016 by valaida

Coming Up: West Virginia African American Philanthropy In Action

Giving Back Project announcement_WV2016

21st Century Philanthropy: Changing The World In A Changing World

Posted on 7 December 2015 by valaida

Panelists for December 9th event, hosted by AFP-Charlotte

If you’re in or near Charlotte, come to Wednesday’s AFP-Charlotte panel discussion and holiday social at Levine Museum of the New South, which features The Soul of Philanthropy exhibit.

I’m moderating the 12.09.15 discussion, titled “Fundraising in a Changing World”. Here are the panelists, who are listed in the order of the photos above:

Christina Theodorou, UNC American Indian Center
Diane Evia-Lanevi, Tomorrow Fund for Hispanic Students
Charles Thomas, New Generation of African American Philanthropists
Diep Tran, Charlotte Circle of Friends a giving circle affiliated with AAPIP
Steve Bentley, Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Fund

Click here to register.

From BGB :: ‘The Soul of Philanthropy’ Exhibit and Programs Open in Houston

Posted on 6 November 2015 by valaida

“This is an exhilarating display of photographs, quotes and digital programming that educates the public about the importance of philanthropy and the historical aspects of giving in the Black community.”

— Camillia Rodgers, Ph.D., Executive Director, Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, Houston, TX

READ MORE at BlackGivesBack.com: ‘The Soul of Philanthropy’ Exhibit and Programs Open in Houston

Watch: On The Road With ‘Soul’

Posted on 22 October 2015 by valaida

After fielding a variety of questions about The Soul of Philanthropy from inquiring museums, colleges, community-based nonprofits and funders, instead of a FAQ sheet, I decided to compile images from exhibitions and programs, to date.

Since pictures speak a thousand words (at least), photographs provide institutions that are interested in hosting the exhibit a window for visualizing their possibilities. My hope is that the compilation of photos—from the multimedia, comprehensive exhibit and the pop-up, abridged edition—allow people to observe variations and options for installation, based on a venue’s gallery space and the imagination of the exhibition designer. Set to classic soul music, the video speaks volumes about the multimedia exhibit and its public programs that reframe portraits of philanthropy.

Please watch, enjoy and share!

Note, you can follow my work on The Soul of Philanthropy via Facebook.

‘A Soul Generated By Love’

Posted on 5 September 2015 by valaida

“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today Giving Back: The Soul of Philanthropy Reframed and Exhibited, Pop-Up, Abridged Edition, opened at Levine Museum of the New South in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Come to see philanthropy differently.

Ours Is An Old South and New South Story

Posted on 4 September 2015 by valaida

Levine Museum of the New South opens the Pop-Up, Abridged Edition of “The Soul of Philanthropy” this weekend. Consequently, this week has been a joy-filled hustle to deliver the exhibit crate, various panels and elements for the show. Read more about it here.

Anticipation. Preparation. Exhaustion. It’s feeling like Christmas eve!!!

Come to see philanthropy differently.

Exhibition runs Sep 5, 2015-Feb 28, 2016

Come To See Philanthropy Differently

Posted on 23 August 2015 by valaida

If you’re near Columbia, please come to Frame of Mind—South Carolina’s only eyewear boutique and art gallery hybrid—for a pop-up exhibition of The Soul of Philanthropy, in celebration of Black Philanthropy Month 2015.

Program with philanthropy panel discussion, book signing, etc. R.S.V.P. here.