A Message From Our Executive Director

As we celebrate #BlackPhilanthropyMonth and #BlackBusinessMonth, I would be remiss if I didn't take this opportunity to highlight the landscape of where I live as a leader of a Black-led non-profit. I am the executive director of L.E.A.D. Center For Youth, a sports-based youth development 501c3 org that uses sports to teach Black youth how to overcome three curveballs that threaten their success: crime, poverty and racism. In this role, one of my main responsibilities is to generate funding so that our programs can run efficiently and sustainably. Easier said than done; especially being an African-American woman in the South whose mission is based in breaking down three racially-systemic barriers for youth. In addition to my role with LEAD, I also serve on the executive board of the Community Foundation For Greater Atlanta (CFGA). I am the first non-profit leader and the first Black, woman non-profit leader to serve on this board. During my time as a board member, I've learned a lot about the institution of philanthropy. I believe that origin stories matter; it's a foundational theme of my life. With that theme in mind, it's important to note that the first community foundation in America was founded in 1914 in Ohio. Consider the following state of America in 1914 for Black Americans:

• Descendants of enslaved African ancestors who endured enslavement and all its horrors
• Survivors of Jim Crow laws, lynching, etc.
• Grappling with racist, institutional, systemic barriers such as segregation, redlining, discrimination in healthcare, education, business, etc.?
• Black American men being drafted or enlisted to fight in WWII to fight against discrimination, hate and terror abroad while Black soldiers and their families faced discrimination, hate and terror at home and within the ranks of the military

I'll stop right there.?

As a descendant of enslaved Africans, I have enormous deficits to overcome, personally and professionally. Personally, I am the descendant of enslaved ancestors whose reward for their fight for justice, equality and equity was Jim Crow, lynching, police brutality, redlining, block busting, etc. Professionally, at the time we started LEAD, my family didn't have the social capital/relationships that are necessary to start, grow, maintain and amplify a nonprofit venture. In fact, if it had not been for the consideration and generosity of a wealthy, white man - LEAD would not even exist. Not because my husband and I did not purpose this in our hearts, but because we simply did not have the means to do it. CJ and I are first generation builders of social capital and monetary wealth for our family.

So how do we overcome this??

Glad you asked.

First, we must be educated about the situation. Even as an African-American woman, there’s so much about being Black in America that I didn’t know or fully understand because the playbook was written by founders and framers who only saw me as subhuman at worst, and ? of a human at best. The unlearning and truth seeking that I’ve been doing over the last 17 plus has been hurtful, painful and yet so freeing. Knowing the truth gives us the ability to discover authentic purpose. And knowing my truth has allowed me to show up “openly Black” in every space God has put me in.??

Now back to the education piece. I’ve been told that ‘White Philanthropy’ by Maribel Morey is a foundational gateway of understanding philanthropy in America. I’ve just gotten around to start reading this book because I had to do so much work on myself first; so much work to feel comfortable and confident in my dark, black skin. I’ve also just started reading ‘Poverty, by America’ thanks to my colleagues at CFGA. I hope you’ll prioritize these books as well and share your learnings, questions, frustrations, etc. with those who are like you AND not like you. Thank you for taking the time to read and reflect on what I’ve shared.

Peace and love.?

#MovingAtlantaForward