Overview:
The African American Philanthropy Summit, hosted by the Cleveland Foundation, aimed to raise the visibility of African American philanthropy in the region and honor local African American philanthropists. The summit featured guest speakers, including Ebony and JET Magazine CEO Michelle Ghee, who emphasized the importance of acting on our desire to give money, time, and information, even if we don't have ourselves 100% together. The summit also included breakout groups focused on Black philanthropy in three topics: multi-level engagement, financial equity, and growth of environment, social and governance. The summit encouraged attendees to think critically about how they can pursue philanthropy from where they are, with what they have.
Black Girl Media contributor, Laylah Allen spent the last day of April in the presence of black excellence, inspiring her to challenge you to think about how you can pursue philanthropy from where you are, with what you have.
by Laylah Allen
The Cleveland Foundation hosted The African American Philanthropy Summit (AAPS) at Tri-C Corporate College East. The AAPS is a gathering that takes place once every two years to raise the visibility of African American philanthropy in the region and honor local African American philanthropists who are making a lasting and significant impact. Esteemed guest speakers included Ebony and JET Magazine CEO Michelle Ghee, who hit home on the importance of acting on our desire to give money, time, and information even if we don’t have ourselves 100% together. If you think you need to attain a certain level of wealth in order to give, throw the whole mindset away. Giving back comes in many forms.
Kevin Clayton, VP of Diversity, Inclusion & Engagement for the Cleveland Cavaliers Courtesy of Cleveland Foundation.jpeg
The Summit began with a morning keynote delivered by Kevin Clayton, Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion & Engagement for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The conference room was dimly lit and flooded with Black philanthropists–funders, nonprofit founders, and community residents. Clayton spoke about the correlation between our why and our how in our giving. Our reason for giving is a serious motivator that pushes us to take steps to make a real impact.
Not sure about your why? Keep reading to find out.
Start with you. What social issues do you feel connected to directly or indirectly? Consider the mother of Tamir Rice, Samaria Rice. While she’s still navigating the traumatic experience of losing a child to police brutality. Her lived experience motivates her to advocate for police reform and commit to sustaining The Tamir Rice Foundation–which invests in the growth and enrichment of all children through after-school programs in arts and culture by allowing them to express their truth to improve their lives as they grow into young adults. The Foundation is currently accepting donations for renovations of The Tamir Rice Afrocentric Cultural Center. Samaria knows her why and she’s taking conscious steps to implement a how that serves as a motivating force for families and communities across the nation. Samaria is one of many Black philanthropists improving the quality of life in Cleveland.
Feeling inspired yet? Here’s more on The African American Philanthropy Summit.
Michelle Ghee, CEO OF Ebony and JET Magazine delivering the keynote address
The African American Philanthropy Summit facilitated three separate breakout groups focused on Black philanthropy in three topics: multi-level engagement, financial equity, and growth of environment, social and governance. As a nonprofit founder and community organizer, I attended the multi-level engagement session moderated by Bishara Addison. Guest panels included Neighborhood Leadership Institute CEO Kevin McDaniel, United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland Cecil Lipscomb, Saint Luke’s Foundation of Cleveland CEO Timothy Tramble, and Allstate Foundation representative Courtenay Barton.
Barton mistakenly used the word powership instead of partnership when she spoke about the dynamics of organizations applying for funding from sources like the Cleveland Foundation and the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland. She was right to do so. We achieve such powership when we make a decision to recognize and leverage our value (as an individual) and that of every other stakeholder.
Tramble shared, “There are over 13000 nonprofits in Cleveland. We typically service about 90 of those organizations. We have to say no more often than we get to say yes.” First thought: I wonder how many organizations are duplicating services and working in silos, missing opportunities to maximize impact through collaboration? However, that’s a topic for another day. I digress. Seriously, what’s the significance of sharing Tramble’s insight as a leading funder? It poses an opportunity for us to think critically about how we can fill the gap to ensure that initiatives created to improve the quality of life of black community members thrive despite the hunger game odds of securing funding that can ensure sustainability.
We all have a role to play in this powership to shape safe, thriving communities in Cleveland. Funders may adjust their application processes to make funding accessible to black-led philanthropic efforts. Organizations may work boots to the ground to build communal trust while amplifying residents’ voices. Residents may sew financial seeds, volunteer time and talents, and hold the organizations accountable at all phases of community projects. With the consistent commitment of more players, this powership dynamic is possible.