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  ABFE News and Updates
March 2009 Issue
   
In This Issue
Transfer of Generational Power: A Case Study.
President Barack Obama's Policy Agenda. It's Impact on the Black Community.
More Reasons to Invest in ABFE's Pipeline of Emerging Leaders.
Inspiring Change by Volunteering. ABFE Staff Member Gives Back.
Important-Time Sensitive Announcements
Moving Up and Moving On

Events & Resources 

 
Hold the Date!  ABFE's Annual Meeting at COF in Atlanta, Georgia May 2nd through 4th.   Stay tuned for program details.  
 
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ABFE Guest Columnist
Richard Lawrence, founding member of ABFE, offers a compelling idea of  how to reach Inclusion, Equity and Diversity in philanthropy. This is a MUST READ. Read his column here.
 
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Applications for the ABFE Connecting Leaders Fellowship Program
will be available on the ABFE website beginning March 16, 2009. The due date for applications to the Class of 2010 is Monday June 1, 2009.
 
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HIP's 25th Anniversary
Cambio: a change in philanthropy
April 23, 2009.  Guests: Soledad O'Brien,
Luis A. Ubiņas, Anthony D. Romero,
Linda M. Griego, Lin Manuel-Miranda.
Visit
hiponline.org for Information and tickets.
 
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Diversity and Inclusion: 
Lessons from the Field,
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors
 
Become an ABFE Member or Renew Your Membership at abfe.org. (PayPal is Now available)
 
Special Note:
ABFE thanks Lauren Veasey, Connecting Leaders Fellow ('07) and Program Officer at the Southern Education Foundation for her contribution to this issue of ABFE News and Updates.

   

A Note From Susan Batten, ABFE President

 
This has been a productive and enthusiastic first 60 days for me. Since my start as ABFE's President in January, I have traveled across the country to meet with members and supporters.  These in-person meetings have provided me with valuable feedback and insight from members, supporters and friends-those like you who are committed to promoting philanthropic efforts and resources in Black communities throughout the country.
 
Susan Taylor BattenYour insight is helping me to shape my vision for ABFE, which I will share at the annual membership meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, May 2nd through the 4th. We are planning a special session that will allow for membership engagement. I hope to see you then.
 
Generational leadership transition is the inevitable order of progression in the contemporary workplace that affects every sector.  In this issue of ABFE News and Updates, we feature a recent change in generational leadership at Kraft Foods and how they prepared for that transition to ensure a greater likelihood of success.  When you read the story you'll instantly know why ABFE is particularly proud of the outcome.  
 
We are now in the fourth year of Connecting Leaders Fellows and will soon open the application process for our fifth class.   The philanthropic community is rich with emerging leaders who can benefit greatly from our Fellowship program.  Please begin to think of emerging leaders in your organization and encourage them to apply.   We will send an announcement when the application process is open.
 
Also in this issue, we share an important report by john a. powell, Executive Director of Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at Ohio State University, on the implications of the President's economic stimulus policies for Black communities.  It provides a critical look at the role of philanthropy in this environment.  We hope that you find this helpful and share it broadly.   
 
Thank you for your support and your insight.  I look forward to seeing you in May.
Transfer of Generational Power:  A Case Study for All to Learn From. 
Ms. Amina J. Dickerson names her successor at Kraft Foods. 

Amina Dickerson"The fulfillment of preparation is the opportunity to lead.  And to lead...well, someone has to move on." Amina J. Dickerson, 2009

Chicago, IL - On Tuesday, February 17th Ms. Amina Dickerson, Director of Corporate Involvement for Kraft Foods, addressed an audience of friends, colleagues, mentors, advisors, community collaborators and philanthropic leaders as the sixth recipient of the Handy Lindsay Award for Inclusiveness in Philanthropy, by Chicago African Americans In Philanthropy (CAAIP).  Though her message was unmistakenly clear, it was Ms. Dickerson's announcement in real life, real time that was an example of 'bearing witness' and 'making way for the future'; and that served as a case study of how transfers of power should take place. 

Her lecture, Keeping the Tradition: Walking in the Path of Our Forebearers, focused on two central themes.   The first, bearing witness to how all of us need to use our voices to keep ever present the urgent need we see in our community. And the second, how we have to make way for the future by teaching, coaching, counseling, positioning and placing the next generation of leadership in philanthropic roles that enable them to effect change.  Read the full story here. 
 
(Editor's Note: This is a MUST READ)

 

President Barack Obama's Policy Agenda

John PowellDr. john a. powell, Executive Director of the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at Ohio State University, leads discussion on President Obama's Policy Agenda at ABFE's Board Retreat.

In February, ABFE's Board of Directors held its annual Board Retreat at Liberty Bank and Trust Co. in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Liberty Bank is a CDFI certified financial institution serving the Black community of New Orleans.  The Board met with Liberty Bank President & CEO, Alden McDonald, and Dr. john powell of the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at Ohio State University.  Dr. powell moderated a discussion on President Obama's Policy Agenda: Its Implications for Black America, and the Potential Role for Philanthropy.          
 
Please take the time to view Dr. powell's powerful PowerPoint presentation to ABFE's Board of Directors and to read the accompanying Kirwan Institute Report. Both are available at www.abfe.org under "Recent News" on the right hand side column.
 
(Editor's Note: This is a MUST READ. Dr. powell spells his name in lowercase).

More Reasons to Invest in ABFE's Pipeline of Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy

 Success Stories
ABFE's Connecting Leaders Fellows

Danielle DeaneDanielle Deane, ABFE's Class of 2007 Connecting Leaders Fellow, Hewlett Foundation

On January 29th in New York City, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and ABFE collaborated on the program Exploring Diaspora Involvement in Trinidad & Tobago and Beyond:  What roles can the Caribbean Diaspora play in improving conditions and opportunities in the region?

Building on the grantmaking experience of RPA staff and the recent survey of Caribbean nationals conducted by Danielle Deane, Program Officer for Environment at the Hewlett Foundation, the program explored emerging opportunities for engaging the Diaspora to help leverage increased giving and strengthen civil society.

A requirement of ABFE's Connecting Fellows Leaders Program is a community research project.  Ms. Deane's research is on Diaspora Philanthropy.  Her findings were presented at the program. 

Other presenters included Chris Page, Senior Vice President, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and Pooja Joshi, Philanthropic Advisor, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

Latida Lester
LaTida Lester, ABFE's Class of 2008 Connecting Leaders Fellow, St. Luke's Foundation 
"Since becoming a Connecting Leaders Fellow I decided to chair the board of Funders Concerned About AIDS.  Our Executive Director resigned a few weeks ago and since then I've been immersed in the transition.  It's a great deal of work, but I'm loving it and really good at it.  I am using the skills I've been developing with my ABFE coach."  
 
 Congratulations to our ABFE Fellows!

Inspiring Change by Volunteering and Through Public Service:  An ABFE Staff Member Gives Back.

 Q&A with Summar Lyons

"My concern for the greater world is the work of cultivating change through more efforts to place ourselves in other people's shoes. When we step out of our comfort zones...we can more effectively have a positive impact on one another's lives." Summar Lyons, former ABFE staff member.  Read the Interview
 
(editor's note: This too is a must read).
   

Important-Time Sensitive Announcements  

 
Professional Development Page NOW Available
-- Available in our 'Members Only section' of abfe.org.  Check it out for interesting articles on leadership and professional development.  Share your thoughts and ideas on our message board which is also available. Please contact ABFE Coordinator of Professional Development, Lynne Algrant, at lalgrant@abfe.org  for information and comments.  Read What Got You Here Won't Get You There on the Professional Development Page. (Note: ABFE membership is required for access).
 
Fellowships in Activism and Diversity 
-- The Alston Bannerman Fellowship Program (March 31st deadline), an initiative of the Center for Social Inclusion, is committed to advancing progressive social change by helping to sustain long-time activists of color living and working in the U.S. or its territories. The program honors those who have devoted their lives to helping their communities organize for racial, social, economic, and environmental justice. View the Application and Criteria. 
 
-- Associated Grant Makers of Boston (March 12th deadline), is pleased to announce that applications for the 2009-2010 Diversity Fellowship Program are being accepted.  The Diversity Fellowship Program seeks to increase diversity in the field, meet the interest of emerging leaders wanting to get into philanthropy, help prepare them, and open doors for Black and African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and Native Americans.   View the Application and Criteria
 
Guidelines for ABFE Guest Columnist Submissions
ABFE has opened its website for current members and supporters to share their opinion and perspective on matters related to philanthropy and the Black community.  Our website is a platform with an audience of foundation executives and staff as well as the nonprofit community.  We open our site to perspectives that add value to the work you do in philanthropy and how that work will ultimately improve Black communities. 
 
This platform is intended to offer insight in the same way as a newspaper op-ed page.  Please follow these guidelines for submissions:
· 750-800 word count limit
· Informative, compelling
· The topic can be political, social, economic, philanthropic, cultural, historical, public policy, etc. 
· Structured and clear thought process. This is an opinion-perspective.  Stream of consciousness (sometimes ranting) is fitting for our message board in our Members Only section.
· Original (your thoughts)
· Sourced properly
· Clean copy-grammatically accurate
 
Richard Lawrence, ABFE Founding Member, is our first Guest Columnist. Read his perspective on reaching Inclusion, Equity and Diversity in philanthropy here.
 
Contact Sharon Toomer at stoomer@abfe.org for more information.

Moving Up and Moving On...

Gwen Foster, a former Senior Program Officer with The California Endowment, is now Director of Mental Health Training at UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare.  Ms. Foster is a former ABFE Board Member and a longstanding donor. 

Morris Price was elected President/Chair of Colorado Blacks in Philanthropy
 
We congratulate Ms. Foster and Mr. Price!
 
If you are moving up or moving on, please contact ABFE's Coordinator of Membership Services, Christine Nicholson at cnicholson@abfe.org.
Be a part of promoting effective and responsive philanthropy in Black communities!  Join ABFE today or renew your membership at www.abfe.org. 
 
 
 
 
ABFE STAFF
Susan Taylor Batten, President
Marcus F. Walton, Director of Programs 
Sharon D. Toomer, Director of Communications and Membership  
Mary LuLu Lamping, Director of Development 
Joshua Powers, Director of Administration  
Floria Abney, Administrative Associate  
Lynne Algrant, Professional Development Coordinator   
Christine Nicholson, Coordinator of Membership Services 

ABFE's New Logo 2008 
ABFE's mission is to promote effective and responsive philanthropy in Black communities.   As the first official affinity group of the Council on Foundations, ABFE is the champion of diverse leadership in philanthropy. Progress is defined by a substantial increase in the number of Blacks as leaders and emerging leaders within the philanthropic field. Today, ABFE counts among its members some of the most influential staff, trustees, and donors of grantmaking organizations who are intimately involved in shaping the focus, decision-making, and response of foundations toward Black communities. Please visit our website at www.abfe.org. 

 
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