The Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) Institute for Women’s Philanthropy is honoring 10 Black women philanthropists by Black Women on their comeback list.
The Black Women Giving Back list highlights Black women who saw a need in their community and took matters into their own hands to solve it. These women are not only changing our understanding of what it means to be a philanthropist, but they are also examples of amazing women.
The honorees are selected by a nominating committee of prominent black philanthropists. Sponsored by The Harnisch Foundation, The Melanie And Bruce Flesner Fund, Bank of America and Trust Charities.
The institute will celebrate the women and their stories on August 31 for Black Philanthropy Month (BPM) at the final event of Reunion 2022.
Black enterprise The 2022 Black Women’s Homecoming List presents:
Dr. Maria Johnson
Dr. Maria Johnson Scholar, philanthropist and author whose work focuses on social inequalities related to race, gender, philanthropy and policy. Johnson directs the Black Women and Girls Fund (BWGF), a national fund that improves the lives of Black women and girls and fights the barriers they face. In addition, through her consulting practice, Dr. Johnson works to help transform disparities in fair-minded philanthropy.
It’s not just about social barriers, racism, sexism and other intersections that we often talk about. We are also creators and we cultivate meaningful lives of joy, love and excellence,” Johnson said in a statement.
“By Black women and girls, I mean Blackness, including all people of African descent, such as African-American, Afro-Caribbean, African immigrant, and Afro-Latinx individuals, and broad definitions of ‘women and girls.’ It includes cis women, cis girls, cis women, trans women, trans girls, and gender-broad, gender non-conforming individuals.
Thesia Wilson
Thesia Wilson He is the director of co-engagement at Philanthropy, a global initiative co-created by hundreds of clubs and co-giving network leaders. Their mission is to help new giving circles start and existing circles thrive. Wilson also serves on the board of several civic organizations, including chairing the Legacy Giving Fund, one of the first African American giving clubs in Texas, which serves black-led nonprofit organizations serving women and girls.
“It’s an act of volunteering and wanting to help other people. Simply put, it’s love for humanity,” Wilson said.
“This intentional act of love, support and service to others is what drew me to philanthropy and keeps me in the field. I value radical, revolutionary love and believe that the power of people and community is stronger than any tool in our efforts to solve social issues in our world.
Mary Olushoga
Mary Olushoga She is a community and economic development professional who focuses her expertise on supporting African women and young entrepreneurs. Olushoga recently launched the AWP Network Vendor Program to increase the number of women supplying large retailers in Africa. The AWP Network shares startup stories of African entrepreneurs, organizes events, hosts webinars and clinics, and creates opportunities for network members to network with business professionals in the fields of marketing, technology, and human development.
“The violence against Nigerian women is what motivates me to do this work every day,” Olushoga said.
“I want to serve in the highest office of my career. I want to be a leading construction, tech or financial company on Wall Street and/or governor of my state. I consider myself a change leader.”
CaRol A. Goss
Carol A. GossA 2014 Fellow at Harvard University’s Advanced Leadership Initiative Program, he retired in 2013 as president and CEO of the Skillman Foundation in Detroit. Goss has worked for more than 25 years in private and family philanthropy at the WK Kellogg Foundation and the Stewart Foundation. . In the year In 2015, Goss founded Warrior Women Against Poverty, a social justice movement to advocate for homeless women and their children. She currently serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations.
“I have spent my entire professional life serving our most vulnerable families. My roots started growing looking at my mother,” Ghose said. Black enterprise.
She was my inspiration, model and mentor. I learned about her work in the community and continued as a youth volunteer at the YMCA. Working with children in camps. To me, service is just what you do.”
Joy B. Webb
Community catalyst Joy B. Webb He believes that a holistic people-driven, community-led approach to philanthropy ultimately leads to lasting change and societal transformation. Joy started Circle of Joy, a community giving club focused on non-profit organizations that support youth and education initiatives in Georgia. The Giving Circle has raised over $100,000 for the programs it supports. Joy has served the Community Investment Network (CIN) for over ten years and has filled several roles including Board Member, Secretary and Executive Chair of the 2014 Atlanta CIN Conference and Co-Chair of the Atlanta CIN National Conference. .
“Our strength lies in our understanding that the use of shared power builds trust and strengthens relationships,” Webb said in a statement.
“My work commands that collective power and collective resources to fund the paths to liberation for black and brown people. Sharing models gives philanthropists the opportunity to transform their communities through their own efforts.”
Ebony Johnson Cooper
Ebony Johnson Cooper He believes that giving black is magic. The entrepreneur is the Principal Consultant of Ebony Friends LLC and founder of the Youth, Black and Giving Back Institute (YBGB). For the past decade, Ebony has led national and local projects and nonprofits focused on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), African American donor engagement, church service, partnership development, and fundraising.
“Most of my work is in capacity building and micro support,” Cooper said in a statement.
“For example, every year my charity supports hundreds of other black-led and non-black beneficiary nonprofits.
Ada Williams Prince
With more than 20 years of experience in international and domestic social impact and the current dExecutive Director of Program Strategy and Investments at Pivotal Ventures; Ada Williams Prince Leads participation and strategies to promote social progress in the United States. In particular, she leads in accelerating the power and influence of women and girls of color and across gender identities and racial/ethnic and class/socioeconomic levels.
“I never thought I’d be in philanthropy, I knew my role was to make sure we all felt safe, respected and heard,” Prince said.
Nicole Cardoza
Nicole Cardoza He is an award-winning serial social entrepreneur, investor, author and public speaker who makes wellness accessible to everyone. Her media company, Anti-Racism Daily, has raised nearly $3 million for charitable causes. In addition, her company, Reclamation Ventures, distributed $500,000 to individuals to make safety more accessible in their communities.
“I believe we need more direct and direct forms of philanthropy that put the donor at the center and instead put the individual and their work at the center of change,” Cardoza said in a statement.
“I give priority to direct support to individuals and give unlimited funds because I know that the people doing the work have more knowledge and experience in effective distribution.”
Sophia Elias
Sophia Elias She devoted her life to human rights and social movements. An accomplished advocate, attorney, scholar and educator, she has practiced criminal and family law for over 30 years. Elias He founded the Alliance of Families for Justice (AFJ). A Harlem-based non-profit, the mission of the Families for Justice Alliance is to support, empower and bring families together with their incarcerated relatives.
“I know our people have the ability to heal themselves and solve their problems,” Elias said.
“Part of my job is to make sure those resources are available and put them in the hands of the people who need them.”
Catherine McClellan Kelly
Catherine McClellan Kelly She has spent her career championing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in all her roles. She has worked for several organizations such as the Texas Communities Foundation, where she was the Marketing Manager for the North Texas Day of Giving and the Young Leaders of Philanthropy program, the Dallas Regional Chamber’s Young Professionals Program Manager, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
““I’ve had amazing examples of philanthropists in my life since I was little,” Kelly said.
“They never did it for recognition or glory, but only to help their fellow man.”
