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In This Issue
A Message From the Founder: Black Philanthropy and Black History
Grantee Spotlight: First Generation College Bound
Member Spotlight: Jana Baldwin
Nonprofit Spotlight: Green DMV
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Upcoming Events 

 Mirandy and Brother Wind:  An African American Children's Musical Set to Premiere at the Atlas Theatre

  

A free special community event at The Atlas Performing Arts Center on February 26, 2011, at 2:30 pm will feature a cakewalk and dance demonstration, lesson and mock-cake-walk competition, as well as a meet and greet with Author Patricia McKissack and Illustrator Jerry Pinkney at 5pm.

 

Washington DC's own Cake Love will also be part of the day with a special Mirandy and Brother Wind cake. 

 

1333 H Street, NE

www.atlasarts.org

 

Spa for A Cause

Benefiting the Tigerlily Foundation

 

March 10, 2011

6pm - 9pm

Current Lounge

1215 Connecticut Ave, NW, DC

$25

 

Ticket price includes drinks, appetizers, facials and pampering.

 

Event partner: CRAVE DC

 

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit 

www.tigerlilyfoundation.org 

 

DIVAS, MPH presents 2nd Annual Saving Our Sisters (S.O.S.) HIV/AIDS Health Summit

 

Hosted by Radio and TV Personality Jeannie "Kitty of the City" Jones

 

Saturday, March 12, 2011

GW University in Funger Hall

9am - 5pm

www.divasmph.org

 

For info and sponsorship, contact [email protected]

 

The Black Public Health Student Network - GW University Chapter

 

Hosts the Minority Health Satellite Conference

"The Promise of Health Equity:  Advancing the Discussion to Eliminate Disparities in the 21st Century

Friday, February 25, 2011

 8am - 5pm

 

For more information, contact:

[email protected]

 

 

Join Our Newsletter List! 

Send your name and email to [email protected]   

The Black Benefactors

February 2011 Newsletter

Happy Black History Month! 
  
  
Every February we reflect on our ancestors and current history makers who made significant contributions to the well being of the African American community.  We've heard and read about the inventors, scientists, authors and entrepreneurs, but did you know among this distinguished group there are many black philanthropists who donated thousands and even millions of dollars as far back as the late 18th century?  One such individual is Thomy Lafon, known as one of the first black philanthropists.
  
Thomy Lafon was a New Orleans entrepreneur who built his wealth through real estate and several businesses.  In 1870, his fortune made him the nation's wealthiest African American at the time.  Although he was successful in business, he is best known for his philanthropy.  He established a home for African American orphans and a retirement community for seniors, and donated to various groups, such as the Underground Railroad.  After his death, he left a half million dollars in his will to various charities.  A fun black history tidbit!
  
In our second Black Benefactors newsletter, you'll find our member spotlight on an individual who shares her story of growing up in Utah, one of the last states to observe MLK Day; news from one of our grantees, First Generation College Bound; introduce you to Green DMV, a local non profit organization that is making national headlines by working to improve the environment, upcoming events, and more!

For more on black philanthropy and black history, you can read my feature on AOL's Black Voices, where I share how my passion for giving back began HERE.
  
And don't forget, you can join the Black Benefactors by making an annual investment of $250!  Your donation will be combined with the donations of other members to make significant grants to organizations serving the African American community in the greater Washington, DC region.  

I hope you enjoy reading this issue, and forward to a friend!  
  
Cheers,  

Tracey Webb
Founder

Grantee Spotlight:  First Generation College Bound

Over twenty years ago, First Generation College Bound (FGCB)founder Joseph Fisher began his organization by walking door to door through a public housing complex in Laurel, Maryland to offer academic support and guidance to youth seeking to attend college.  Today, the organization has helped to send hundreds of youth, many the first in their family, to attend and graduate from college.  As a result of his efforts, he has won numerous awards, among them the Washingtonian of the Year Award in 1993 and last December receiving an honorable mention at the Angels Among Us awards sponsored by the Potomac Valley Section of the National Council of Negro Women.

 

Mr. Fisher knows firsthand the challenges that face our youth today and how the importance of a mentor can change one's life.  He grew up in public housing in Southeast Washington, D.C., and  landed an athletic scholarship to Catholic University with the help of his high school track coach. He was mentored in college by his track coach and later earned a master's degree in urban education from Morgan State University.

  
FGCB Honor Roll Dinner
FGCB students attend an honor roll awards dinner at a local restaurant.
Their current programs include homework club sessions and field trips; college access programming at Parkdale, Potomac, Fairmount Heights, Laurel and Central high schools in Prince George's county; and college retention activities that include contracting with the National Student Clearinghouse to track students they've lost touch with, reminders to complete financial aid forms, and sending care packages to all college students this spring. 

 

The organization has helped to change the lives of many youth and several have since returned to help the organization by serving as board members and mentors.  An alumna shares, "The relationship I have developed with the First Generation College Bound family has extended past the college experience. I plan to continue my involvement with First Generation so I can give to others the encouragement and motivation to move forward that was given to me." 

 

The organization's current needs are assistance with fundraising, and they have begun planning for their year end celebration to be held on June 15, 2011 at the University of Maryland College Park Marriott Conference Center.

 

For more information about FGCB, visit the site at http://fgcb.org/.

Member Spotlight:  Jana Baldwin 

 

 Jana at the MLK Day of Service
Member Jana Baldwin (center) with friends at the MLK Day of Service at Howard University on January 17, 2011. 

Meet Jana Baldwin, a Black Benefactors member who was instilled a giving spirit by her mother while growing up in Utah.

 

Jana's background is in public health, and she is the creator of the blog, NW to SE, a forum for public health issues in the District that also discusses issues of crime, employment, District politics, race, and the line between wealth and poverty in the District.

 

As a resident of DC, Jana serves as the Chair of the Public Safety Committee on the LeDroit Park Civic Association Board, a community located in the Shaw neighborhood near Howard University.  On the annual MLK Day of Service last month, Jana and her friends went through their closets and headed to Howard University to begin their day of service.  Along with other HU students, they sorted and organized clothing collected in the neighborhood that was then picked up by the Salvation Army and redistributed back into the community.

 

Jana shares, "I truly believe that every day can be a "day of service" but I do think it is nice to have a day off when I can spend it with my roommates, friends or family serving my community.  I remember as a young girl serving with my mother as she attended to her monthly shifts volunteering at a local thrift shop run by an organization she was involved with.  I also appreciate living in DC and celebrating Dr. King Day!" 

 

"Being from Utah, which was one of the last states to observe Dr. King Day, people are always surprised to learn my passion and knowledge of black history.  I remember always wanting to learn more about Civil Rights, Dr. King, The Little Rock 9, and black history in general as a young child.  Little known fact about me was winning honorable mention in the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Award contest in the 5th grade after reading Dr. King's "I Have A Dream" speech.  So in general, I just love having a day to think about Dr. King's dream, spend time in my community and do something different - but everyday can be Dr. King's day, this I truly believe!"  We salute you Jana!

 

  

Nonprofit Spotlight: Green DMV

 

Meet two local social entrepreneurs, Rhon Hayes and Philip O'Neal, founders of Green DMV, an award winning nonprofit organization that promotes clean energy and green jobs as pathways out of poverty in low-income communities across America.  Green DMV is fueled by a passion to ensure that the green economy is inclusive of all people.

Their notable projects include the development of the leading green job corps training program in the Greater Washington region; the Retro-Rescue Project, which retrofitted Gospel Rescue Ministries, a DC homeless shelter to reduce their energy costs and to expose a disadvantaged population to green jobs; RETROFIT THE DMV, an initiative that helps struggling families affected by rising energy costs; and the "Green Faith Initiative" to educate the faith-based community about energy efficiency, green jobs and healthy eating.  For all the great work they do, their accomplishments were publicly recognized by EPA administrator Lisa Jackson.  

Green DMV
GREEN DMV cofounders, Rhon Hayes (left) and Philip O'Neal (right) with Mayor William D. Euille, of Alexandria City, VA

This month, the organization launched their GREEN DMV Unplugged initiative, which encourages guests to take public transportation to their events and to unplug all of their electronic devices before attending. During the event, they refrain from using plastic products in an effort to save energy, reduce carbon emissions and encourage recycling and promote recyclable material use. 

 

For more information on the organization and upcoming events, visit the website at www.greendmv.org


Mirandy and Brother Wind:  African American Children's Musical Debuts in DC


The Adventure Theatre, in partnership with our grantee the African Continuum Theatre Company, is presenting the debut of Mirandy and Brother Wind at DC's Atlas Theater.  The play will run February 25-March 13.  Tickets are $15.  To purchase tickets and for more information, visit HERE 


Special note to donors:  If you choose to donate online, please send us an email with your name, address, email, and donation amount to [email protected]
Thank you!