Nonprofit Millennial Blogger Alliance

Student Excellence Takes Center Stage at Northern Virginia Urban League’s Annual Scholarship Awards Dinner

Tracey Webb — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:36:00 +0000

Northern Virginia Urban League Board of Directors attends the organization’s 22nd Annual Community Service and Scholarship Awards Dinner in McLean, VA on April 27, 2012.

$50,000 in scholarships awarded to region’s top high school students

ALEXANDRIA, VA - On Friday, April 27, 2012, more than 650 guests gathered for the Northern Virginia Urban League’s (NOVAUL) 22nd Annual Community Service and Scholarship Awards Dinner at the Hilton Tysons Corner in McLean, VA where ten of Northern Virginia’s top high school seniors were awarded a collective $50,000 toward their college education. NOVAUL recognized African-American high school seniors who have succeeded at the highest levels of academic excellence and leadership, and provided funds for those students to attend major colleges and universities. Whether serving as president of their school’s student government association or training to become a licensed pilot, the students being honored by NOVAUL prove that when given opportunities, African-American students can achieve great success.

Under the theme “Empowering, Engaging, and Educating for the Future in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics,” NOVAUL’s annual awards dinner emphasized the critical importance of increasing minority participation in the STEM fields. Two companies—Northrup Grumman and Lockheed Martin—were recognized for their exemplary commitment to advancing opportunities for African-Americans and other minorities in the STEM industries. Accepting for Northrop Grumman was Cheryl L. Janey, Vice President for Communications and accepting on behalf of Lockheed Martin Corporation Shani Allen, Director, Diversity and Inclusion.

Kenneth Bynum, Chairman of the Northern Virginia Urban League (center) honors Cheryl Janey (left), VP of Communications for Northrop Grumman, and Shani Allen, Director of Diversity and Inclusion for Lockheed Martin (right) for their corporate leadership.

CNN and MSNBC political panelist and the evening’s Master of Ceremonies Jamal Simmons (right) congratulates Eugene James Coleman III of Mount Vernon High School in Alexandria, VA

Dr. Shirley Malcom, Director of Education & Human Resources for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (right), Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley, Pastor of Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA and Danyelle Taylor of Lockheed Martin & Dinner Co-Chair

Keynote speeches were given by Linda Y. Cureton, Chief Information Officer of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and Dr. Shirley Malcom, Head of Directorate for Education and Human Resources at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Encouraging students to challenge themselves in the STEM fields, Dr. Malcom emphasized the fact that a journey to a STEM career would not be easy. “You may meet people who consider the phrase African-American scientist or engineer oxymoronic. But it is important that you see yourself, first, as embracing STEM as roots to empowerment,” Malcom told the scholarship winners. “We're all different,” Malcom continued, “That's what makes us wonderful as a country and as a community. We have to use that difference as an asset. It's not a liability.”

Ten Northern Virginia high school students are honored with $5,000 scholarships for their academic achievements

Scholarship award winner Eugene Coleman of Mount Vernon High School provided a response on behalf of all of the student honorees. “As we progress into life after college, we will never forget what has been done for us here tonight,” Coleman said. “We will never forget this tremendous opportunity to help us reach our full potential and we will dedicate time and effort to do the same for others.”

For more information on the Northern Virginia Urban League, visit http://www.nvul.org/.

Photo credit: Garrett James of Capitol Media USA

Mitchell Kapor Foundation Celebrates College Bound African American Young Men in the San Francisco Bay Area

Tracey Webb — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:55:00 +0000

Event highlighting black male achievement part of $1 million effort aimed at boosting number of college-ready black male youth

OAKLAND, CA – African American young men from the San Francisco Bay Area who are graduating from high school and heading to college will take center stage June 3rd at a unique graduation ceremony aimed at celebrating and amplifying their achievements.

The event is part of the Mitchell Kapor Foundation’s CollegeBound Brotherhood, a college readiness program that aims to expand the number of young black men in the San Francisco Bay Area who are prepared for college. Youth participating in the event will be eligible for a $100 stipend to defray the cost of college books.

“African American young men are assets that we can’t afford to lose, and when they earn college degrees, the economic and social benefits impact all of us,” said Cedric Brown, CEO of the Kapor Foundation. “All too often, these young men and their accomplishments are overlooked and dismissed. The Kapor Foundation is proud to celebrate young black men who are on their way toward creating change for themselves, their families and our communities.”

Across the nation and locally, African American young men are graduating from high school at alarmingly low rates, and even fewer are ready for a college education. In 2009, for every 100 graduating Bay Area seniors, only four were African American males, and only one African American male was eligible to attend a California State or University of California institution.

Since the launch of the College Bound Brotherhood in 2008, the Kapor Foundation has distributed more than $1 million in grants to organizations that support young black men through college readiness workshops, college tours, academic coaching, mentoring and much more. The Foundation has issued a call for another round of $25,000 grants to community organizations working on college readiness for young black men. Information on how to apply is available on http://www.mkf.org/.

“Black males are underemployed, undereducated and undervalued,” said Monique August, executive director of the Choose College Educational Foundation, a Kapor Foundation grant partner. “By investing in these youth, we are not only uplifting the lives of the young males, but enhancing the livelihood of our entire society. The Graduation celebration combats stereotypes and statistics of black male achievement, and is a catalyst of hope and pride in our communities.”

In addition to strategic grantmaking, the Foundation builds a college-bound culture for young black men through http://www.collegeboundbros.org/, a public database of college-readiness programs; the Brotherhood Leadership Advisory Council; and the annual “Black & Proud to be College Bound” conference.

The 2012 College Bound Brotherhood Graduation Celebration, which takes place at 5 p.m. at the Kaiser Center, is supported in part by Mechanics Bank. Please visit http://www.brotherhoodgradcelebration2012.eventbrite.com/ to RSVP.

About the Mitchell Kapor Foundation

Founded by entrepreneur and philanthropist Mitchell Kapor in 1997, the Mitchell Kapor Foundation supports organizations that provoke social change in communities of color en route to equality. Through strategic grantmaking, the Foundation currently supports efforts in three areas of work: Voting Integrity and Civic Engagement; the College Bound Brotherhood; and Information Technology for Social Impact. The Foundation also provides assistance and advising to build the capacity of the organizations it serves. For more information, http://www.mkf.org/.

Using Imagery To Tell Your Story – A Must Read for Nonprofits

Tracey Webb — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:31:00 +0000

A child from Bright Beginnings, a school in Washington, DC that offers a bright start for homeless infants, toddlers and preschoolers and their families, paints with classmates. Photo by Leigh Vogel

“If pictures can’t tell your story, you most likely won’t get the opportunity to tell your story through words. You have seconds to get people’s attention, not minutes.” -- Joan Woods, Director of Development and Communications at Bright Beginnings

Over the past five years, I have featured many organizations on BlackGivesBack with the goal of promoting their good work. However, I wish I could feature more. The problem? The majority of photos sent to me I cannot use. Most often they’re poor quality, too small, or they don’t adequately capture the atmosphere of an event or mission of an organization. Did you know that imagery can help to build your organization’s capacity? When used strategically, imagery can help you to attract prospective donors, obtain local and national media exposure and most importantly, tell your story. Let’s say your organization doesn’t have the funds to hire a professional photographer, or you're seeking to enhance your images? Well, there’s a free resource just for you!

Leigh Vogel, a Washington, DC based photojournalist, has written a great resource on this very topic. ‘Communicating Via Imagery’ is an easy to read, 44-page guidebook geared toward nonprofits that has everything you need to get started. Need suggestions on the best type of camera to use? Things to consider when selecting a photographer? How to create a photo database? Best practices for taking event photos? Tips on working with celebrities and the media? This guide will answer these questions and more! Never before has such a resource existed for nonprofits that incorporate these best practices.

Leigh completed the guidebook as a Nonprofit Imagery Fellow at Georgetown University. She found that just 18 percent of the nearly 140 organizations surveyed for the guidebook integrate photography into their planning. I was so excited when I read the guidebook that I contacted Leigh to thank her for putting together such a valuable resource. She shared with me, “As a photographer and former editor in chief and media relations director, I have created and worked with images from several perspectives. I have hired photographers, taken the images, organized the event, submitted to press, and photo edited. As a result, I see unfortunate, missed opportunities for organizations to create, obtain, and utilize imagery strategically.” Leigh was gracious to share some of her photos as examples and provides three tips for BlackGivesBack readers! In addition, I’ll share my favorite photos and more tips as well.

Leigh’s tips for nonprofits to best capture mission and events via imagery:

Tip 1. Always use a camera that can produce high-resolution images in all settings (e.g. daylight and darker rooms). High-quality images have a better chance of making an edit into a magazine or website. Low-quality imagery has less of an impact on viewers.

Tip 2. Create a photo database that includes head shots of executive staff, event imagery (preferably with your organization's signage), and images of staff and/or volunteers working toward the mission of your organization.

Students from Bright Beginnings watch The Great Zucchini perform. Photo by Leigh Vogel

Tip 3. Engage your audiences strategically with images that are authentic to your organization. Utilizing your own imagery helps relay your messages more succinctly to your target audiences. Update your website and social media accounts with captioned images that are credited to the photographer. Encourage social media followers to tag themselves, comment, and share the images. (Make sure you have the rights to use images.)

Here’s one of my favorite photos from over the years. Joseph Allen of Joseph Allen Images in Washington, DC took this photo featuring the young men of the Work to Ride Program, an all-black polo team based in Philadelphia. He shared, “The Work To Ride program is a very inspirational story and the young people that participate in it have a very powerful presence. When I was asked to capture an image of the polo players, I really wanted something that made a strong statement. The day that I shot the kids was a very sunny day with some partial clouds. As the day progressed and the players completed their polo match we had a fair amount of overcast.

I wanted to use the environment to enhance the image of the Work To Ride kids standing tall and accomplishing things against certain odds they face in their lives. I decided to take the approach of the kids being rock stars, because, simply they are rock stars. By shooting with the camera almost at ground height, looking up at the kids, in concert with creative lighting in broad daylight I was able to capture the strength and fortitude of these inspirational young people.”

Joseph also shares additional tips for event planners and selecting a photographer:

“The value of quality images for conveying the purpose and direction of an organization cannot be overstated. When a nonprofit organization is selecting a photographer for event coverage, an organization should look for someone that has an eye for the action that has created images that really speak to the viewer and make them say, “I really wish I was there” and “that is a great charity.” Often, nonprofits do not have a budget for photography, this can sometimes be offset by a photographer having the willingness to donate their time to cover an event. Regardless of the actual investment, an event planner needs to recognize that the images captured by the photographer become artifacts necessary for telling the story about the event as well as the charity. As such, event planners really need to have an appreciation for the value of the work provided by the photographer for generating ongoing interest in an event and charity.

Event planners need to look for a photographer that is capable of delivering both photojournalistic as well as staged group photos. To a certain degree, staged group photos may seem easy, but to get the best photos the photographer needs to know how to best utilize the available ambient light and their flash so that the viewer will get a feel for the actual location, while still making the subjects look their best.”

Another one of my favorite photos is this environmental headshot of Mary Brown, Executive Director of Life Pieces to Masterpieces in Washington, DC. An environmental headshot is a great alternative to a traditional headshot. Leigh explains: Headshots can be captured in a variety of ways. You can utilize headshots of staff members (and animals!) that your organization represents. They can be utilized in websites and be incorporated into collateral materials. Environmental portraits showcase individuals in a particular setting unique to them. Unlike traditional headshots in which the individual is the sole focus, the backgrounds in environmental portraits are equally important as the person. In the background you can incorporate branding elements such as distinctive colors or details unique to your organization’s mission. Photo courtesy of Life Pieces to Masterpieces

A quote from Leigh’s guidebook sums up the importance of using imagery effectively: “Your organization has a story to tell and to show. You may use mission statements, press releases, websites and social media platforms to communicate with your stakeholders, but the strategic use of imagery can showcase your mission in ways that words alone cannot.”

To download the ‘Communicating Via Imagery’ guidebook, visit here. And visit the Chronicle of Philanthropy's Moving Pictures blog for more great tips on imagery here. I hope these tips have been helpful and I look forward to seeing your photo creations! Please send them to info[at]blackgivesback[dot]com.

Why do I do what I do? {Guest Post by Clare Herbert}

Akhila Kolisetty — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:00:48 +0000

Today I am happy to present a guest blog from the lovely Clare Herbert, who works on social entrepreneurship projects by day and is a writer by night. I love her blog and am glad she’s here to share some thoughts with us about her passion, what makes her tick, and why she does what she does! Thanks for stopping by, Clare.

It’s such a pleasure to be visiting Akhila’s blog to share a few thoughts today. Akhila was one of the first blog friends I made and I really appreciate her ongoing support. She writes about the things she loves making her blog a delightful melange of engaging content, inspirational ideas and personal reflections. Every time I visit her site, I leave inspired, informed and hungry for more. Love your work, Akhila!

It wasn’t easy to think of a topic to write about. Should I talk about living in India, working in social entrepreneurship or trying to forge a career as a writer? Should I share advice, tell stories or talk about my life?

I couldn’t choose, so I’ve decided to write about my motivation for all of the above.

The perennial question: “Why Do You Do What You Do?”
The answer: Martin Luther King on our world:

I first really travelled at 19, when I went to volunteer in Zambia. I didn’t add much value but the experience had a transformative effect on me. Standing in the immigration queue listening to Celine Dion blast through the terminal, it was hot and dry. People were staring at me: white, freckly red-heads stand out in Lusaka airport. I was exhausted, trembling and totally overwhelmed by the world. ‘What had I done?’

Weeks later, when I came home, I struggled to settle in. I just couldn’t get my head around what I’d seen and how it fitted with my understanding of the world. I was in the shower (itself a shock after bathing from a bucket!), putting conditioner in my hair. The conditioner contained vitamin B12, something we had struggled to source in rural Zambia to help our patients with leg circulation problems. Standing in the shower in Ireland, I was washing it down the drain.

How could this happen?

Since that moment, the inter-connectedness of life fascinates me. The impact our lives have on the rest of the world. How the World Cup in South Africa lead to increased sex trafficking, due to a huge spike in demand for prostitutes. How milk prices rise when China eats more dairy. How I couldn’t get baking powder in Kolkata because the shipment takes 6 months and there was some problem at sea.

My work is about connecting and understanding the complexity and contradiction in our world. Or at least, that’s what I’m trying to do.

Social Entrepreneurship lights me up and it’s where I spend my days. The organization I work with finds entrepreneurial solutions to social problems and scales them up with a combination of financial and practical support. Our social entrepreneurs create change all around Ireland, and we support them to dream bigger, grow sustainably and have a greater impact.

By night, I’m a writer. I write about career and personal development, which in our modern world are really the same thing. I write about my personal journey as a young change-maker and share the lessons I’ve learned in the hope of inspiring others. I write to connect with like minds, to contribute to the debate, to create community. I write because that’s how I understand the world.

For fun, I travel to random places and live there for a while. I love to sink into new cultures and try to comprehend them. I love the buzz that comes from being someplace new everyday. I love the random adventures and friends that make traveling worthwhile.

My work is about inspiring impact. By writing an article, by connecting like-minds or by scaling change, my mission is to create positive, lasting, sustainable change.

Inspired by Martin Luther King, that’s why I do what I do.

Why do you do what you do?

About the Author

Clare Herbert is a writer and social enterprise enthusiast based in Dublin, Ireland. She loves to travel, read and create impact through her work and writes about these topics on her blog. She’d love to hear from you by email or to connect on the twitter machine.

Report Cites Best Practices, Resources to Make Philanthropy More Effective

Tracey Webb — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:41:00 +0000

Leadership, Funding, and Data Key to Increasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

CHICAGO – D5 has released State of the Work 2012, a report tracking efforts over the past year to recruit new foundation leaders who more closely reflect U.S. demographic trends; increase funding within diverse communities; and become more transparent about data collection to track the progress of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the sector. To view the full report, click here: http://www.d5coalition.org/state-of-the-work-2012/.

“We need philanthropy to look more like America, so we can better respond to the complex issues facing Americans today,” said Sterling K. Speirn, president and CEO, W. K. Kellogg Foundation. “The 2012 State of the Work report shows how far we’ve come and the lessons learned along the way—and will help inform our strategies moving forward. We still have a lot of work to do to ensure that philanthropy, as a sector, can really have impact and drive meaningful change in our communities. But we’re on our way.”

D5 was launched in 2010 to help foundations achieve greater impact in an increasingly diverse world. It is comprised of community, corporate, family and independent foundations, as well as other philanthropic organizations.

“Philanthropy is in the change business; it is what we do and with this report, we wanted to show that implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives is doable, innovative, and supports our common goals,” said Kelly Brown, executive director of D5.

State of the Work 2012 offers innovative examples of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at work, including:

A growing number of regional associations of grantmakers are working to establish stronger links with diverse communities so that foundation CEOs, executives and boards of trustees better reflect the nation’s diversity regarding race and ethnicity, gender, LGBT communities, and people with disabilities. The work of these associations is a key part of the strategy for growing a national alliance of 200 leaders who can instill a coordinated, sector-wide approach to diversifying foundation decision-makers.

The Association of Black Foundation Executives is offering knowledge and practical tools to create successful funding strategies, through its Responsive Philanthropy in Black Communities Toolkit that includes an organizational self-assessment, and a racial equity impact analysis to support black foundation trustees in their efforts to promote effective and responsive philanthropy in black communities.

A partnership between Philanthropy Northwest, Native Americans in Philanthropy, and the Potlatch Fund, the first community foundation of Native Americans focused on grantmaking in Indian Country, became an opportunity for learning, better connections and mutual trust to achieve more equitable funding strategies.

In the year ahead, D5 learning and implementation activities will include leadership development efforts of affinity groups and other partners, capacity building for population-focused funds through the Philanthropic Inclusion Fund, and support for additional regional diversity studies.

“Foundations want practical tools for engaging in this work and examples of how others have done it, accounting for differences in grantmaker type, asset size, staffing size, and regional circumstances,” said Judy Belk, senior vice president, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. “Identifying new diversity models and programs has educational and coalition-building value in that many of the developers of good policies and practices have become essential leaders in D5’s broad efforts to help philanthropy increase its effectiveness in a changing world.”

About D5
D5 envisions a philanthropic sector in which foundations draw on the power of diverse staffs and boards to achieve lasting impact, forge genuine partnerships with diverse communities, and increase access to opportunities for all people. Formed in 2010, D5 represents the collective efforts of dozens of leading foundations, regional associations of grantmakers, joint affinity groups, and philanthropic infrastructure organizations. D5 is a fiscally sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

For more information: http://www.d5coalition.org/

Direct Mail Fundraising Tip of the Week (#20)

AndrewOlsenCFRE — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Find a control package (or several). I’m always surprised when I talk to nonprofit organizations and hear things like, “we’re working on a new holiday package because our board thinks we’ve used the old one too long – they’re bored with it.” I’m all for testing. Testing is important. But before you begin testing, you’ve …

The Power of Place

Sam Davidson — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:08:30 +0000

Sometimes, all it takes to take you back is a building. Stacks of steel and concrete or the way the fairway looks in that sunlight can transport you back a decade or more. Looking out a bedroom window or down a hallway that doesn’t seem so big anymore brings back memories and milestones you’d forgotten still lived inside of you.

I was in south Florida, keynoting a business conference. After the speech and a round of golf with my dad, we decided to go for dinner. As we turned off the main drag and into the complex full of restaurants and shops, I got that scary happy feeling like I’d been there before. And then I knew why it was familiar and foreign to me. I had been there once, almost ten years earlier when I spoke nearby. I was a different person then, on a different errand, but the power of place overcame me and there I was, younger and unwed with more answers than questions.

It’s the feeling of a Friday night football game when you’re 30 but suddenly feel 16. Or when you look at the counters in your parents’ house and recall a time when you could barely see the cookies that you could smell cooling above. It’s the way your grandfather looked in his recliner or the way Christmas sounded when everyone was together under the same roof of that very old house.

Our homes are more than where we live. Our offices and schools are more than bricks and drywall. Parks are more than trees and open fields and roads do more than get us from A to B. Everywhere we go and move is a memory waiting to happen, eager to sneak up on us when we’re busy doing everything else.

Places can be sacred. Churches and bars can equally have special meaning for those of us who darken either doorway to meet with friends and commiserate with strangers.

The only way to recognize the power of place is to succumb to its alluring pull. Let it wash over you. Let your mind wander back to a time when you were and where you were. And understand that the next memory could happen anywhere. The conditions never have to be right or perfect. The creation of the moment will make everything right by it.

Photo credit

Good Parenting Happens in the In-Between

Sam Davidson — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:01:13 +0000

From the looks of it, we’re all fantastic parents. Our Instagrams from Disney World and the Facebook albums of Easters and Christmases show smiles, laughter, hugs, and happiness. It’s as if nothing goes wrong in our lives or for our families.

It’s easy for people to think I’m a great dad because sometimes my blog posts show that I’m willing to get dirty with my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter or that I’m at her beck and call when we go out to eat. And while I’m learning myriad life lessons from this pint-sized princess, certainly we all know that for every muffin she eats happily, there’s a little girl (and her dad) who gets frustrated when it’s time to change a diaper, take a bath, or go to the doctor.

I don’t think the good parenting we’re all doing happens when we post the highlights of our lives to Facebook. It happens in between those moments.

Somewhere between your Christmas morning and the craft your child made for Valentine’s Day, you were a great parent. You taught a life lesson, moved heaven and earth in order to make your kid happy, or put off what you wanted to do so they could do what they needed to do. There is no album on Facebook for that.

At some point between the school portraits and your summer beach trip, you snuggled next to your son or daughter (or both) and watched a silly TV show. As their eyes followed the dancing monkey or uncoordinated clown, you looked over and caught the smile that was curling upwards from the corners of their mouth. You didn’t take a video of it, but it’s etched in your mind forever.

The times when you didn’t let them have dessert because they didn’t touch their vegetables? Or when they couldn’t watch TV because they didn’t clean their room like you asked? When they left toys lying about so you told them they’d have to clean up before they could play with a friend? When they needed to apologize to their brother before they got certain privileges back? None of those times go on Facebook. Few of those instances involved smiling. But good parenting probably happened.

Do not judge your parenting skills – or the quality of your life, for that matter – based upon what you or anyone else is putting online. Those are the highlights. That’s the SportsCenter of living, not the full game with its ebb and flow, its rhythm and mistakes, its moments of terror, uncertainty, and desperation.

Facebook is an idealized representation of ourselves, how we parent, how we live, how we love. It is anything but authentic.

Parenting – and life – happens in between online posts and updates. It happens when we least expect it. And when it does, when those memorable moments of teaching and learning and being happen, the best thing we can do is put down our phone and live as deeply and authentically as we can in that moment.

Photo credit

Screen Gems Presents the Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation Gala, Raises Over $700,000

Tracey Webb — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:04:00 +0000

The Harveys Honor Debra Lee, Spike & Tonya Lee, Dr. Steve Perry, and Richard and Kyle Petty

NEW YORK, NY – On May 14, 2012 at Cipriani Wall Street, multi-faceted entertainer Steve Harvey and CNN’s Soledad O’Brien co-hosted the Screen Gems Presents The Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation Gala to support The Steve Harvey Mentoring Weekend for Young Men and the Girls Who Rule the World Mentoring Weekend. Formerly The Steve Harvey Foundation Gala, this gala’s third year was a rousing night full of laughs, inspiration and more, with over 400 friends, family members and supporters on hand including Gayle King (CBS This Morning anchor), Terrence J (host of BET’s 106 & Park), actor Romany Malco, actress/model Selita Ebanks, Hollywood producer Will Packer (Think Like A Man) and more to applaud honorees Richard and Kyle Petty, BET’s Debra Lee, Capital Prep Magnet School Founder Dr. Steve Perry, and Spike and Tonya Lee, who were all recognized with The Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation’s Helping Hand Award. The event raised more than $700,000 to benefit The Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation and their staple programs for young men and women, The Steve Harvey Mentoring Weekend for Young Men and the Girls Who Rule the World Mentoring Weekend.

A night of laughs, entertainment and a stirring call to action from the Harveys and O’Brien, the evening recognized the honorees for their powerful actions in serving youth and inspiring social change. Says Steve and Marjorie Harvey, “We continue to be inspired by the generosity shown by all the friends and supporters who came out for this amazing night. Anyone has the power to make a difference, and we are so grateful for this support, to continue empowering the futures of young men and women around the world.”

Honorees Tonya and Spike Lee

Bill Cosby and Steve Harvey; Gala Co-Host Soledad O'Brien and Honoree Steve Perry

Marjorie and Steve Harvey with Honoree Debra Lee, CEO of BET Networks

Soledad O'Brien and Steve Harvey with Honorees Richard and Kyle Petty

Sponsored by Screen Gems (Title Sponsor), Essence Magazine (Print Sponsor), with additional support from The Coca-Cola Company, Neiman Marcus, Black Entertainment Television (BET), and Ford Motor Company, the fundraising evening was highlighted by a rare comedic set from Bill Cosby and a rousing performance from the dynamic Rachelle Ferrell.

About The Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation
The mission of The Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation is to ensure that the needs of the whole child are met through the development of programs and support of community-based organizations that foster excellence in the areas of health, education, and social well-being within urban and ethnically diverse communities. Two cornerstone programs include The Steve Harvey Mentoring Weekend for Young Men, which mentors young men who are without fathers, and the Girls Who Rule the World Mentoring Weekend. For information about The Steve Harvey Mentoring Weekend for Young Men, the Girls Who Rule the World Mentoring Weekend or to make a donation, please visit http://www.smharveyfoundation.org/.

Source: Press release/Photos: Getty Images

The Black Doll Affair and Macy’s at Lenox Square Present a “B’huetiful” Fashion Show

Tracey Webb — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:41:00 +0000

By Lisa Brathwaite
BlackGivesBack Atlanta Contributor

ATLANTA, GA - The Black Doll Affair (BDA), a philanthropic organization and self-esteem movement for Black girls and women, presented a fashion show in celebration of beauty diversity at Macy’s Lenox Square on Saturday, May 5, 2012.

Appropriately named B'huetiful, The Black Doll Affair Fashion Show was hosted by multi-media personalities Nina Brown and Rashan Ali. Pictured in the photo are Bill Hawthorne, Macy's senior vice president, Diversity Strategies and Legal Affairs, on the “B'huetiful” red carpet with Dana "Mama Doll" Hill, Founder of The Black Doll Affair.

Amid all the spring style gazing, the event paid tribute to guest honorees Monica {Kaufman} Pearson, veteran WSB-TV Channel 2 News Anchor, for being the first woman and the first Black anchor on a daily evening news program in Atlanta; Nan Orrock, State Senator, District 36 Georgia, for leading the way in the civil rights movement; and Yvette Caslin, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Development at Steed Media Group for being the first media person in the Atlanta community supporting BDA. All honorees exemplify the confident beauty, grace and tenacity of women.

“Macy's and The Black Doll Affair share a couple of key interests - we are fashion and community oriented. We are pleased to partner with the BDA in this endeavor to showcase and celebrate diversity of an important part of our customer base and the community,” said Bill Hawthorne, Macy's senior vice president, Diversity Strategies and Legal Affairs.

Founded by Dana Hill as a solution to the infamously documented ugly doll test results, The Black Doll Affair [BDA] is an organization driven by its members, The Black Dolls. Banding together to tackle the black family’s issues with shadeism, self-hatred and low self-esteem, the organization prides itself on being “pretty… philanthropic.” Eighteen years and older, from college students to grandmothers, career women to ladies of leisure, The Black Dolls deliver their message of internal and external b’huety by donating toy black dolls to toddlers, hosting tween self-esteem summits and producing special events that promote and uplift black women. For fun, The Black Dolls enjoy each other at social play dates. To express the importance of community service, they donate hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars annually to charitable causes that affect all races.

Official chapters exist in Atlanta [HQ], Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, New Orleans and Washington, DC.

View video footage from the event by visiting here - thanks to Joshua Peltier for Brightcomm Entertainment, LLC for the wonderful video created for BlackGivesBack!

For more information visit http://www.blackdollaffair.com/.