TO GIVE?
Democracy is a method of realizing the broadest measure of justice to all human beings; only by putting power in the hands of each inhabitant can we hope to approximate in the ultimate use of that power the greatest good to the greatest number. —W.E.B. Du Bois
The question is often asked why I give so much of my time, energy, heart, and soul to my community and to those I have never met.
For me, it is about the PEOPLE. It is about giving hope to those in our communities who have been in systemic, systematic generational poverty, income inequality, and economic mobility. I do not serve to sell a story or to earn an award. I serve to help change the way someone sees themself - not on the outside with a new set of clothes, but on the inside.
To me, it is a simple answer. We can talk about change in OUR communities or we can ACT and be the change for OUR children, OUR neighbors, and OUR communities. We can accomplish this by setting our North Star at GENERATION CHANGE.
Generational change is not easy, it is not quick, and it's hard work. Critics love to judge, love to point fingers, and love to sell a story with a catchy headline. Philanthropy and generational change should not be about the award you receive or the PR you earn.
Generational change happens when an individual sees themself differently - from within - and knows that their path is not defined by the past but can be defined by their future and can be defined by them. To accomplish this, they need a community that supports them, lifts them when they need a lift, celebrates them when they have success, and forgives them when mistakes happen.
To the critics who look to sell a story for views, and ratings or ask "Why? Why give so much?".
My answer, because I believe music is fuel for our souls and carries us through good times and bad, comes from an old song, “Life is not tried, it is merely survived. If you're standing outside the fire.”
What does that mean? It's always easy to stand outside the fire and judge and say an organization should do ‘this’ or ‘that’ or ‘I would have done ‘this’ instead.’
It takes special individuals, groups, and organizations to passionately advocate - to have faith in themselves, and the courage to jump inside that fire and push back those flames that are hindering OUR children, OUR neighbors, and the overall well-being of OUR communities.
Community, Civic and Voluntary Service (Current):
- Unite.US - Founding Member (January 2019 - Present)
- Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation - Board of Directors (2020 - Present)
- Chair, Board of Directors (January 2024 - December 2025)
- Vice Chair, Board of Directors (December 2021 - December 2024)
- Chair Strategic Planning, Board of Directors (January 2020 - January 2022)
- Fulton Education Foundation - Board of Directors (February 2023 - Present)
- Vice Chair, Board of Directors (January 2024 - Present)
Community, Civic and Voluntary Service (Past):
- National Black Arts Festival - Board of Directors (February 2023 - 2024)
- LiveSafe Resources - Board of Directors (2020 - 2024)
- Chair Governance, Board of Directors (2022 - 2023)
- Atlanta Friendship Initiative Member (2021 - 2023)
- Board of Directors (2022 - 2023)
- United Way of Greater Atlanta – Board of Directors (2017 - 2023)
- United Way of Greater Atlanta – Executive Committee and Public Policy Chair (2017 - 2020)
- United way of Greater Atlanta – Community Engagement Council (2015 – 2020)
- Alliance Theatre – Board of Directors, Marketing & Communications Committee (December 2015 – 2018)
- Dad’s Garage Theatre Company – Board of Directors (2015-2018)
- Safe Harbor Ballot Committee (Safe Harbor Yes) – Marketing Chair (August 2015 – December 2016)
- GSU J. Mack Robinson College of Business – Graduate Mentor 2017/2018
Yes, OUR. We are talking about OUR children, OUR neighbors, OUR Communities. To achieve generational change, we must see one another like family. Not a family defined by direct ancestry relationships, but family defined as those who we support and love. A family that I have been proud to stand shoulder to shoulder within the fight for generational change in OUR communities.
The journey for generational change will not be defined by OUR success today - but will be defined by the success we SEE in 10, 15, and 20 years.
When we are no longer defined by the zip code, we are born in. When systemic and systematic, generational poverty, income inequality, and economic mobility are no longer a crime for those individuals who are living in those situations.
It is a crime if we do nothing. It is a crime if we choose to only judge!
So, I will leave you with a question.
Will you step inside the fire with me and stand shoulder to shoulder in this fight for Generational Change?
Engagements:
- February 2022 - Reshaping the Lens of Equity: Building a positive and welcoming organizational culture through diverse & inclusive marketing and branding conversation with the Douglas County Chamber.
- October 2017 - United Way of Greater Atlanta #WHYWEDNESDAY - Watch Video
- December 2015 – Featured in an article on “How Can You Create a Socially Conscious Company?” – Click Here to read the full article in the November/December 2015 issue of Connect Magazine.
- 2015 Judge for the Spark Grant Competition held at The C3 – Connecting for Community Change conference. The Spark Prize competition is United Way’s first ever live, small grant competition, which recognizes leaders and organizations that are finding new ways to solve community problems. The competition awarded $60,000 in grants across 5 amazing non-profits.
- In 2014 I had the pleasure of having an on-air discussion with United Way of Greater Atlanta President, Milton Little, on the future of giving and young professionals. Watch Video
- Speaker: ‘Changing of the Guard – How and Why Younger Donors Engage or Do Not Engage in Philanthropy’ – United Way of Metro Atlanta, “Be Greater” Conference. (July 2013)
