Episode 20: Black Moms in Philanthropy

Philanthropy is the desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes. Wealth is directed correlated to he level of giving. Although the level of wealth is far less than the white household, African Americans have a long standing history of providing to philanthropic causes. We (Black/African Americans) don’t consider ourselves as such. Blacks and African Americans actually donated a higher percentage of their incomes to charity than any other ethnic group in this country. Most notably the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) was constructed in part by fundraising and established philanthropies. Today, we will discuss the state of philanthropy among African American women. Welcome our guest, Akilah Wallace.   Guest Momologist: Akilah S. Wallace Akilah is Executive Director for Faith in Texas, a multi-racial faith based, social justice organization. She has 17+ years of experience as a relationship manager, with expertise in fund development, event planning & promotions, marketing, multicultural media sales and project management. Akilah’s love for connecting community organizations with financial and in-kind resources has resulted in over $5 million in revenue support. She is currently pursuing a degree in Human Services Management & Leadership at the University of North Texas at Dallas, and has earned a Nonprofit Management Certificate from the Center for Nonprofit Management. In 2013, Akilah launched Distinguished Ones: A Philanthropic Initiative, respectfully known as #BlackDFWGives, an educational and inspiring, online initiative seeking to heighten the platform for philanthropy education and the next generation of philanthropists of color throughout North Texas. Her philanthropic leadership includes the founding of Texas’ first Black/African-American giving circle HERitage Giving Fund at Dallas Women’s Foundation, awarding nearly $30,000 in grants to Black and women-led organizations. In addition to providing consulting services for small-to-medium-sized community organizations. A 2018 Dallas Public Voices Greenhouse, Op Ed fellow, Akilah is a Dallas Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree and recipient of The Dallas Foundation Top 10 Good Works Under 40 Award. She is a charter member of The Golden Circle and Dallas Women's Foundation’s XIX Society and former “Big” with Big Brothers Big Sisters. She currently serves on the board of directors of Trinity Commons Foundation, Seeds to STEM and Southern Dallas Progress Community Development Corporation. Akilah is the proud mother to college freshman and businessman, Jamel and St. Philip’s student-athlete, Jayce.  Her mantra is: “There is no royal flower-strewn path to success. And if there is, I have not found it for if I have accomplished anything in life it is because I have been willing to work hard." – Madame C.J. Walker Faith in Texas - https://www.faithintx.org/ Heritage Giving Fund - https://www.dallaswomensfdn.org/heritagegivingfund     Momologist of the Week Our Marvelous Mahogany Mom this week is Ms. Audrey Perkins. Author, Motivational Speaker, Entrepreneur and aspiring life-coach, Audrey is the founder of Dear Single Mommy, a blog to  help Single Moms with forgiveness, healing and freedom. SHe just published her first EBook Mommin and Goal Diggin, The Moms Guide to Reaching Goals. Website: https://www.dearsinglemommy.com/   Mom Group of the Week Pan-African Women's Philanthropy works to strengthen the capacity of Pan-African women to improve the future of their communities, families and children. https://www.facebook.com/Pan-African-Womens-Philanthropy-Network-768938516485307/   Resources: Adeniji, Ade (2016 September 14) A Rising Force: One the State of Black Philanthropy. Inside Philanthropy. Retrieved from: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2016/9/14/a-rising-force-on-the-state-of-black-philanthropy.html Brown, Gasby (2017 March 15) The Future of African American Philanthropy. Philanthropy News Digest. Retrieved from: http://pndblog.typepad.com/pndblog/2017/03/the-future-of-african-american-philanthropy.html Martin, Michel (2013 December 30) Redefining Philanthropy: How African Americans Give Back. Tell Me More. NPR News. Retrieved: https://www.npr.org/2013/12/30/258382689/redefining-philanthropy-how-african-americans-give-back Learning https://www.learningtogive.org/resources/african-american-women-and-philanthropy Black Philanthropy Month http://www.blackphilanthropymonth.com/   Producer: Greenville Ave. Studios  - http://www.greenvilleaverecordingstudio.com/  Continue the Discussion, Download, Subscribe, Rate, Like, Follow Us, and Share on: Twitter: @MMomology Insta: @mahoganymomology FB: @MahoganyMomology Email Us: [email protected]