In the Black: A New Home for Conversations About African-American Philanthropy

(This post is from Celeste E. Terry, Assistant Executive Director at the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland, Inc. This is her first for Philanthropy Front and Center Cleveland)

I'm delighted to join the Foundation Center-Cleveland as a guest blogger, where I will be writing primarily about African-American philanthropy in a new feature called In the Black, drawing from my years of experience as Assistant Executive Director at the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland, Inc.  I hope to engage and inform, build knowledge, gather and share ideas, and encourage a dialogue.  Mostly, my intent will be to make the exploration of African-American philanthropy fun and energizing.

I have some ideas for my first "official" posts, but I'd also like to know what interests you.  Take a moment to tell us what you want to know about African-American philanthropy.  We want to deliver what's most valuable to you and the only way we can do that is if you tell us what interests you.  It will only take a few seconds, I promise!

It is commendable that the Foundation Center-Cleveland wants to expand awareness of African-American philanthropy at this blog and I thank them for inviting me to be part of that effort.  At the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland, Inc. I have created marketing opportunities that span Internet radio, Second Life, podcasting, text messaging, and other creative uses of technology to reach and engage the African-American community and others in our work.  I look forward to exploring these and other things with you.

I invite you to join me on this exciting journey and make reading and commenting on this blog part of your routine.  I look forward to getting to know you better and to beginning the discussion.  Stay tuned!

--Celeste E. Terry, MSSA

Comments

[Celeste Terry]

Thanks Debsotware,

Your opinion is shared by many. This forum will help us enlighten and engage people to learn more about philanthropy. But, more importantly, to take action so that change can happen. I hope this blog will expand people's horizons in terms of philanthropy. I look forward to hearing from you again.

[Celeste Terry]

Nadjra,
Thanks for this insight. You are so right. We have to start at home by telling our kids about philanthropy, and perhaps what they could do to raise money and support a cause that is important to them. I hope that this forum will help by providing good information, and encourage people to talk to youth about how important philanthropy is, even for young people. I look forward to hearing about your discussion with young people. I'm sure it will help others.

[Celeste Terry]

Thanks so much for your great comments! Yes, this forum is great. And, it shows that this is a topic that people want to talk about or at least a place to obtain new information. Also, thanks for you support and for the articles you send me. This way I can share the information with my readers and keep this conversation going. Looking forward to your next post and comments.

[Mcmath512]

I'm glad you have a venue to talk about African American philanthropy. Hopefully, this will help to legitimize this issue, and the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland, in the eyes of African Americans and help them see the relationship between black philanthropy and self-sufficiency.

[gkollie]

I think the hands on experience is the best way to get out there, it has a more impactful way of changing peoples lives. If there are donations involved, one can feel more accomplished for what they are doing, both giver and receiver.