It’s been a full year since the inaugural invitation-only Head and Heart Philanthropy Summit on Martha’s Vineyard was held that featured discussions on giving in the United States and globally. On August 8 - 10, 2013, a new slate of talented professionals from across the country convened for a three day experience filled with educational sessions, networking, touring and participating in the Harlem Fine Arts Show and the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival.
Learning opportunities from leaders in the field included Aimée Laramore, associate director at Lake Institute on Faith and Giving and Christal M. Jackson, founder of Head and Heart Philanthropy, followed by an “Investors Roundtable” featuring Lauren Walters, CEO of Two Degrees Food and Adoara Udoji, founder of Boshia Group. One of the outcomes from the summit was an investment in Walters’ foundation toward feeding hungry kids in Haiti, which was matched by The Happy Hearts Foundation founded by philanthropist and super model, Petra Nemcova.
On Thursday, summit attendees joined the Run & Shoot Filmworks’ Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival for their annual “All White” reception and screening of the film “Unsilenced -The Anita Hill Story.” A discussion followed that was hosted by NPR featuring Anita Hill, Freida Mock, the movie’s director and Charles Ogletree, Harvard Law School Professor.
Day two of the summit featured sessions including “The Public, Media and Philanthropy” facilitated by thought leaders Kelly Brinkley, COO of United Way National Capitol Area and Karen Avery, director of PBS Foundation; “The Model of Sustainability and Impact” led by La June Montgomery Tabron, executive vice president and treasurer of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation; and “Philanthropy and the Arts” by Anna Barber, major gifts officer, National Museum of African American History and Culture - Smithsonian; and Shannon King Nash, CEO of Nash Management Group and member of Cohort I.
In recognition of her pioneering spirit and tremendous accomplishments in the philanthropy sector, Head and Heart’s annual luncheon, held at the Harbor View Hotel, was named in honor of the keynote speaker, President and CEO of Comcast Foundation, Charisse R. Lillie. She was pleasantly surprised and joined by several family members, friends and fellow islanders.
The summit concluded with “Coffee & Conversation” presentation by Darryl K. Lester, president & CEO of Hindsight Consulting and assistant director of the African American Cultural Center at North Carolina State University, and Rashad Robinson, Executive Director of ColorofChange.org who discussed the progress being made on “Stand Your Ground” laws across the country and the implications of the recent decision on the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
“I was honored to receive an invitation to attend the Head and Heart Summit. I was very impressed with how the program integrated funding practices of the legendary funders with the approaches utilized by new philanthropy. What a brilliant idea to create a forum for our shared learning. We all left enlightened and energized about the work,” shared La June Montgomery Tabron.
Cohort III participants were Tracey Allison, attorney; Walter August, pastor and founder, Bethel Family Baptist Church; Karen E. Avery, senior director of institutional giving, PBS Foundation; Kyle D. Bacon, mentor program coordinator, U.S. Dream Academy; Anna Barber, major gift officer, Smithsonian Institution; Kelly V. Brinkley, chief operating officer, United Way of the National Capital Area; Dion Clarke, CEO and president, JWD Enterprises; Gizelle Clemens, MPA candidate, Rutgers University; Lybra S. Clemons, consultant; Ebonie Johnson Cooper, founder, FriendsofEbonie.com; Dr. Reagan Flowers, founder, CSTEM (Communication-Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics) Teacher & Student Support Services, Inc.; Albert R. Gladden, consultant; Christopher Hammond, The Parish Foundation; Dr. Schnavia Smith Hatcher, director, Center for African American Studies at The University of Texas at Arlington; Aimée A. Laramore, associate director, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving; Darryl K. Lester, assistant director, African American Cultural Center, North Carolina State University; Charisse R. Lillie, president, Comcast Foundation; Julie Marlette, executive director, New York Campaign for Achievement Now (NYCAN); Dr. Sheila Smith McKoy, director, African American Cultural Center and Africana Studies Program, North Carolina State University; Samaia Muhammad, major gifts officer, Advancement Project; Frances Naiga Muwonge, Esq.; Shannon Nash, film producer and president, Nash Management Group, Inc.; Rashad Robinson, executive director, Color of Change; J. Sakiya Sandifer, founder, We Think LLC; MeShelle Foreman Shields, comedienne; Tori Wright Soudan, shoe designer and entrepreneur; Debra Vanderburg Spencer, independent curator and art historian; La June Montgomery Tabron, chief operating officer and treasurer, W.K. Kellogg Foundation; Steven J. Toll, co-founder and treasurer, Lolly’s Locks; Reverend Dr. Eboni Marshall Turman, director, Office of Black Church Studies and Assistant Research Professor of Black Church Studies, Duke University; Adaora Udoji, founder, The Boshia Group; Lauren Walters, co-founder and CEO, Two Degrees Food; Jacqueline M. Washington, M.D., founder, Save Our Hands and Atlanta Neuromuscular Diagnostics; Tandelyn Atkinson Weaver, executive director, The Kingdom Builders’ Center; and Topher Wilkins, CEO, Opportunity Collaboration.
Cohort III attendees of Head and Heart Philanthropy Summit
Sponsors and partners of this year’s Philanthropy on the Vineyard were Comcast, the Guild Agency, The Caraway Group, The LVS Agency and K. Marie and Associates, LLC.
About Head and Heart Philanthropy
Head and Heart Philanthropy an invitation only convening of philanthropists and high net-worth individuals centered on the best practices in philanthropy, domestic/global funding opportunities and initiatives that are of importance to communities of color. Learn more at http://www.headandheartphilanthropy.com/.
Top photo: Head and Heart Philanthropy Founder Christal Jackson with President and CEO of the Comcast Foundation Charisse R. Lillie.
Photos courtesy of Head and Heart Philanthropy