Philanthropy Front and Center-Cleveland

In the Black: Are you Connected?

(This post is from Celeste E. Terry, assistant executive director at the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland, Inc. and guest contributor to our column, In the Black. See her other posts, here.)

I thought I'd never see this day, but it finally arrived! On October 16, 2011 the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial dedication took place. Whether you were present in Washington, D.C. or there in spirit, it was a magnificent achievement for everyone who contributed time, talent, and treasure to make it possible.

Listening to Dr. King's sister, Dr. Christine King Farris, state with great elegance a depth of pride she could hardly contain along with the remarks and songs of so many people who knew, loved, and marched shoulder-to-shoulder with Dr. King was awe inspiring. Hearing President Obama, our first African American president, dedicate the memorial took me through 48 years of history and stood as a reminder of all that Dr. King lived and died for. 

I felt a kinship and a special connection to everyone who made this day possible, especially after seeing General Colin Powell sitting in the audience wearing his Founding Sponsor lapel pin. After I made my first donation, I was thrilled to receive my Founding Sponsor lapel pin and Build the Dream bracelet, which I haven't taken off since receiving it! Being part of something significant for so many is a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished when we come together. 

In the fragmented world we live in, I believe people want to feel connected to something bigger than themselves. So, it is with donating. Have you found something personally significant to you, something that makes you feel connected enough to get involved? What organizations are you donating to and what deepens that connection? Is it the cause? Is it the people? Or, is it the organization's results?

Whatever it is, I encourage you to step it up. Cleveland is poised to experience a renaissance and there are many deserving organizations doing amazing things. Find a cause you believe in and support it. Experience the joy of doing something good, like I did by supporting the development of the MLK Memorial.

We'd love to hear about your positive experiences with organizational connections. Tell us. Leave a comment.

--Celeste E. Terry, MSSA

 

In the Black: Be Part of Something Big

(This post is from Celeste E. Terry, guest contributor to our column, In the Black. Read her other posts, here.)

On August 28, 2011 something quite impressive, inspiring and deeply moving will take place in Washington, D.C. when the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial is dedicated and open to the public.  If this grand celebration does not inspire you to give, then I don't know what will.

The MLK Memorial, dedicated to the late, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is nothing short of awesome. First, this is the first national monument honoring a person who was not the President of the United States of America. Secondly, this is the first monument built to celebrate the timeless contribution of an African American man who transformed this country's conscience, culminating in the end of legislated discrimination that had been in place from the time of slavery until the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, prohibiting discrimination and enforcing the constitutional right to vote.

I cannot remember such a monument being constructed during my lifetime, so, to me, this is something big. I was just 11 years old when Dr. King was murdered on April 4, 1968 at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, just seven years after the Freedom Riders descended on the South to integrate lunch counters and other public accommodations. From the media footage I've seen, it was a frightening, violent, dangerous, and scary time, from which the courage of a few brought about great change for many that my generation has benefited from. I have never felt the sting of being forced to drink water from a separate drinking fountain, stay in a segregated hotel, ride in the back of a bus, or barred from attending the college of my choice. These are privileges we take for granted today because of what those courageous people stood up for just 50 short years ago.

In 1984, another group of courageous men with vision from the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity proposed building a national memorial to Dr. King. The rest, we shall say, is history. And, 27 years later we will witness something truly big, truly a labor of love, the dedication of the MLK Memorial.  Along the way, the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity inspired many to buy into its vision, including corporations, the U.S. Congress, which allocated the land, the President, and many other people and organizations, whose contributions are now making this monument possible.

To contribute to the final $6 million that is needed to complete the memorial, I made my first donation on 7/8/11. I intend to give two more times to meet the personal donation goal I set for myself. The opportunity to be part of something this big is an honor for me. My name will be added to the founding donor wall for time immemorial. When I took the virtual tour of the memorial, a feeling of pride came over me. My eyes teared up as I toured from the Mountain of Despair to the Inscription Wall and the Stone of Hope. It is with that vision, that intention, that I make these donations. When I visit Washington, D.C. and tour the Memorial, I will know that I contributed to this grand monument for a great man. With my donation, I am now part of something big.

Perhaps this is what the Maureen and Roy S. Roberts Gallery means to the Roberts. The Detroit Institute of Arts recently named the gallery of contemporary African American art in honor of the 7-figure gift donated by the retired GM executive and his wife. For just a moment, my contribution to the MLK Memorial felt just as big.

What is your "something big?" What cause compells you to take part, to make a donation, to join a shared vision and make a lasting impact?

I invite you to think about it, and share with us what that "something big" is for you. Leave a comment.

--Celeste E. Terry, MSSA 

In the Black: Panel Discussion on African-American Philanthropy

Engaging the entire community in the work of your organization is critical. In the Black guest contributor Celeste E. Terry, Assistant Executive Director of United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland, moderated a discussion on the development of African-American philanthropy and its current state with Terri Eason, Director of Gift Planning, and Rev. Dr. Stephen Rowan, Board Member of The Cleveland Foundation.  Watch the video:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View other videoson the multimedia page at GrantSpace.

In the Black: Getting It Right! Engaging Youth in Philanthropy

(This post is from Celeste E. Terry, guest contributor to our column, In the Black. This is her fourth post for Philanthropy Front and Center Cleveland. Read her other posts, here.)

On March 17th I received an invitation to speak to 20 teens about African American philanthropy at an event hosted by the Cleveland Chapter of Jack and Jill of America. The invitation was extended by someone who reads my column in this blog, which made it extra wonderful!

I think education about philanthropy should start early and continue during the teen years, reinforced with some hands-on experience. The Cleveland Chapter of Jack and Jill of America gets this and they work to support a culture of philanthropic giving among African American youth. The teens I met with want to make a difference. They see issues that affect them, and want to do something. The question is, how? How can they move from interest to action? In fact, one young lady lamented, "I know I should be volunteering more." I was impressed with that comment because she knows she has something to offer. What she needs is direction and a way to stay involved.

I suggested to one of the adult leaders at this gathering that one action the group could take to move from discussion to action and engage youth in the practice of philanthropy is to form a giving circle. If each of the 20 teens in the group donated $10 per month, at the end of one year they would have a pool of $2400 to donate to charities that they can research during group meetings. By getting involved in the process of building philanthropic assets, they will learn a lot about working together, the needs of the community, making group decisions, and ultimately, providing donations to organizations that matter to them. Giving circles make philanthropy a habit, encourage deeper engagement in the community, and provide a sense of accomplishment. Lessons learned will benefit young people as they move through school and life. Turning them into caring individuals who are equipped with tools for doing good is a great thing for everyone!

The adult leaders from the Jack and Jill of America event are getting it right by identifying African American philanthropy as an asset worth expanding, and for giving their time to serve and train the next generation of leaders and donors. So, I'd like to offer my thanks to them. Kudos to Harriette Lowenthal, Catherine Ross-Stroud, Deborah Perkins and Gloria Ware.

Let us know how you are engaging young people in philanthropy. What else might we do to build a robust culture of African American philanthropy among our youth? I look forward to reading your comments.

--Celeste E. Terry, MSSA

 

In the Black: Be Proactive, Be Strategic

(This post is from Celeste E. Terry, guest contributor to our newest feature, In the Black. This is her third post for Philanthropy Front and Center Cleveland. Read her other posts, here.)

First of all, thank you so much for the great comments you've been submitting.  It appears we are meeting a need by providing a forum for people who want to know more, but who may be underserved.  Change is in the air and it's transforming how people view African-American philanthropy. 

On February 11, 2011, the Foundation Center-Cleveland presented a panel discussion that I moderated with Teri Eason and Dr. Stephen Rowan from The Cleveland Foundation. Over 40 people signed up and attended this live-streamed program (thanks WVIZ), and a diverse audience asked insightful questions.

Three things from the discussions really stood out for me:

(1) The word "philanthropy" seems to be a barrier to some people as it conjures up an image of "old wealth and white money."  In-person forums and ones like this blog can help dispel that and make room for new perspectives. One attendee felt that we in the industry (the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland, Inc, and The Cleveland Foundation) should figure out how to bring philanthropy "down-to-earth" for the average person with a middle income who wants to give, but who thinks that what he or she has to give is too small to make a difference.

(2) While I listened to audience members express the desire for more accessibility from foundations, I thought to myself, "Have you ever taken the next step in exploring how to contribute to the United Black Fund or the Cleveland Foundation?"  You see, it starts with you, with me.  As an individual I can consider my giving options at the same time my organization is looking to foundations for grants and support. A two-way street is essential to a building a robust philanthropic economy and ultimately a vibrant community. I can be a donor and a recipient.  Donations of many kinds at any level can go a long way in rebuilding our community. 

So, let's get proactive about philanthropy. For example, when we walk past an old playground in our old neighborhood that has fallen into disrepair, let's not simply shake our heads and continue to walk by, but begin to think about what we can do to make this place a playground again. We can change things if we become participants in philanthropy's power to transform. It happens one person at a time. Raising money to get new playground equipment happens one dollar at a time - a thousand people contributing one dollar each is a thousand dollars. The impetus for making this happen can start with one person, someone like you or me. This brings me to my next and final point for now. 

(3) Education is the key to becoming proactive, and this forum is a great place to start. Organizations like the United Black Fund of Cleveland, The Cleveland Foundation, and the Foundation Center can help you to learn about giving, fundraising, foundations, and nonprofits, so when you walk past that playground and feel the impulse to make change you know where to turn.

As we build a new paradigm for African-American philanthropy, let's look at our personal ability to do some strategic giving for sustained impact that can last for years to come.

And, thanks to readers Mary Claire and Jeanne for sharing these resource that will help us get there:

Black Women Donors Action Group
Inspiring African-American Donors to Give

Share with us how your thinking about African-American philanthropy is shifting and your ideas for getting involved. Leave a comment.

--Celeste E. Terry, MSSA

In The Black: Why Don't We Know?

(This post is from Celeste E. Terry, guest contributor to our newest feature, In the Black. This is her second post for Philanthropy Front and Center Cleveland. Read her first post, here.)

Over the holiday, a board member of the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland, Inc. where I am Assistant Executive Director, called and asked me to speak to a young woman about career opportunities in philanthropy and nonprofits. A native of Cleveland who currently works as a fundraiser in Chicago and who is knowledgeable about the nonprofit sector, she would return to Cleveland in a heartbeat if the right full-time position were to materialize.

As we talked, her fascination with the work of the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland grew, and she said, "For Black people, if it's not a church tithe, we tend not to know or think about other types of organized philanthropy."  Her words struck me and made me wonder if she's right. Is philanthropy not talked about enough (or at all) in the home? Or, are the large gifts of the Cosbys and Oprahs of the world so extraordinary that philanthropy seems to be beyond the scope of most middle-class African American families? Maybe philanthropy is seen as something that only the wealthy participate in. 

Could part of the answer lie in the perception that African American people are generally on the receiving end as beneficiaries or consumers of philanthropy as opposed to being philanthropists themselves? Perhaps this is where we should begin the conversation.

Maybe Debsoftware said it best in this comment to my first post: "Apart from a tithe to the church, donations to HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), and workplace pledging, what else can we do to uplift our community and leave a legacy?" 

I'll share one last observation, then it's your turn to chime in (keep those comments coming). I recall a recent story about a shoe store that was mobbed mostly by African Americans wanting to be the first to buy a pricey, new, famous-maker shoe (think, swoosh). There was a pushing and shoving melee to get to the shoes. Clearly, people have the financial resources, even in the current tough economy, to make this type of, dare I say, discretionary purchase. Clearly there's some self-gratification to be had by investing in and wearing this shoe. Could we generate the same type of enthusiasm for or feel a similar sense of gratification by investing in our own community and wearing the label "philanthropist"?

This post is not meant to chastise, but rather to explore two things.

1. What would it take to open up the world of African American philanthropy beyond our traditional involvement?
2. Is it possible to build a buzz around doing good that rivals the buzz we get from owning something good?

Tell us what you think by leaving a comment.

--Celeste E. Terry

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