Enlarge Rashad Davis, Jeanne Brayboy and Olivia Stinson

Posted: January 13th, 2012 Tonya Jameson

Their mothers gave to the church, but they also helped raise money to help a struggling family. They came from small towns where giving wasn’t called philanthropy, it was called helping out.

They are attorneys, bankers and college students. They are also philanthropists. They joined Valaida Fullwood to discuss her book “Giving Back: A Tribute to Generations of African American Philanthropists” at the YWCA on Wednesday, Jan. 11. Fullwood’s book features nearly 400 pages of profiles and photos of Charlotte-area African Americans. Local photographer Charles Thomas contributed the black & white photos to the project.

YWCA Central Carolinas CEO Kirsten Sikkelee said she was excited to host the event as part of the organization’s ongoing mission to combat racism and to highlight an aspect of African American culture that isn’t always spotlighted. “This is a conversation that the community hasn’t had,” Sikkelee said. 

Along with discussing Fullwood's book, the workshop featured a multi-generational panel discussion about inclusive philanthropy. It was there that this new generation of philanthropists talked about how they never called what their families did inclusive philanthropy.

Panelists discussed what philanthropy looked like to them. It was helping a family pay rent or maybe helping them do their taxes. It was accepting a dozen eggs for payment.

“This whole culture and system of philanthropy developed outside of what we know as organized philanthropy,” Fullwood said.

Olivia Stinson, freshman at Winston-Salem State University and founder of PEN Pals Book Club, said she used to her mother giving back to the church and other organizations. Rashad Davis, a philanthropist and entrepreneur, recalled stories from his family of how his grandfather would pay people’s poll taxes so they could vote.

“It was other good people helping out other good people,” Davis said.

Davis said he grew up watching his family give back and he wants to make sure the next generation does the same.

Jeanne Brayboy, retired educator, said she was excited to see young people such as Davis and Stinson giving back. She emphasized the importance of volunteering. "It’s wonderful. They’re becoming more socially conscious in many ways,” Brayboy said. “We have to do more to encourage that.”

Stinson, the WSU freshman, doesn’t need much encouragement. She skipped the first day of classes to participate on the panel. “For me it was just showing my peers, this is something major,” Stinson said. "This is something that needs to be focused on.”

If Fullwood’s book continues to receive critical praise, it will educate Stinson’s peers and others about African-Americans rich history of giving.

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