Friends, a reminder: this event is just one week away. Now is the time to get your tickets, both in case it sells out… and so we can get accurate numbers for the food order sooner than later.
In addition, I’m super-stoked to let you know that Donte Curtis of Catch Your Dream Consulting has come aboard as the Venue Sponsor (he’s as passionate about supporting Black Garnet Books as I am!). Do you know Donte? Have you experienced his dynamic and meaningful trainings/keynotes? If you have, then you know. He’s one-of-a-kind, with a presence that is both inspiring and grounded. Check him out at his website… and he will also be at the event, so you can talk to him there!
Of course, the original sponsor, the Presenting Sponsor, the wind beneath my wings on this whole new adventure… is Angela Schlesinger of Aspasia Collaborative. Not only has she provided financial support… she’s also provided roll-up-your-sleeves, whadaya-need-most support too… which is SO meaningful, especially for a first-time event that I’m figuring out as I go. Angela has been the all-in, showing-up-when-and-where-it-counts presence I’ve needed. And this is just how she rolls. If you are starting up a nonprofit, figuring out your leadership and governance systems, or charting your org development… she’s your go-to. She’s been in the nonprofit CEO seat… so you know, like I know, that she basically knows it all.
All the Details You Need
➡️ Join us for this inaugural For the Love…! event, the start of what will be a series of down-to-earth gatherings and discussions focused on things that bother us about our current lives together in community... and how we'd like to see them change for the better. We're envisioning and making a new world, here — together.
➡️ This first event is celebrating Black Philanthropy Month — which is a global celebration observed every August to recognize, amplify, and invest in Black-led giving, funding equity, and community change. Founded in 2011 by Dr. Jackie Bouvier Copeland, the movement highlights financial, time, and talent contributions across the African diaspora… and is now the largest global movement for Black philanthropy.
➡️ Wednesday, August 26th | 6:30-8:30 PM @ Black Garnet Books
➡️ Our delicious dinner will be from Afro Deli.
➡️ We will have a conversation featuring insights and stories from our special guests Mallory Mitchell and Jonathan C.W. Jones... and explore how we can all embrace Black philanthropy more.
➡️ More re: Mallory: Rapidly emerging as a sought-after keynote speaker, Mallory Mitchell is redefining fundraising leadership with her radically warm, community-centric approach. As the co-founder of Aligned Strategy Group, she's sparked transformational change nationwide by challenging the rules that hold fundraisers back. With experience spanning major gifts to development director roles, Mallory creates light bulb moments that shift cultures toward abundance and equity. Her commitment to advancing racial equity earned her the 2021 National Philanthropy Day Award from AFP Minnesota. Featured in the Chronicle of Philanthropy and a former University of Minnesota adjunct professor, Mallory provides practical wisdom to help nonprofit leaders claim their confidence in fundraising.
➡️ More re: Jonathan: A seasoned community leader, Jonathan C.W. Jones is a Minnesota-based champion of representation, mentoring, and support in education for communities of color. He is the founder and Executive Director of the UpLiFT Movement, CEO of Ideation4, and an educator and administrator who has served in multiple schools in the Twin Cities area. While he earned his M.Ed. in Special Education and Teaching from Penn State University, and a K-12 Principal Administrative Licensure and Certificate in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, he is an especially proud alum of Xavier University of Louisiana, an HBCU based in New Orleans.
➡️ Our Agenda: While eating your delicious dinner in this lovely setting, you’ll have a chance to hear stories and insights from Mallory and Jonathan, about their experiences in the world of philanthropy… and you’ll also have a chance to join the discussion! In small and larger group discussion, we’ll unpack and explore ways that Black philanthropy can become something we all embrace more.
➡️ Who This Is For: This gathering is for anyone who cares about working for better communities, in community — which is hopefully everyone reading this! We especially welcome people who are actively participating in the “industry” of the modern-day system of philanthropy (from fundraisers, to individual and family donors, to business-based community relations folks, to foundation founders or staffers or board members, to nonprofit board members, to nonprofit staffers, etc.). We want YOU to come… but if you can’t for whatever reason, please share this opportunity with folks who you think should be there! Thank you! 🙏🏻
In addition to essential support from Mission Growth Partners (my small business, the one behind For the Love of Humanity)… this event is made possible by our Presenting Partner, Aspasia Collaborative and our Venue Sponsor, Catch Your Dream Consulting, without whom this wouldn’t be possible.
