Honoring Black History Month: Celebrating the Black Community of Greensboro
As we celebrate Black History Month, we recognize the profound contributions of Greensboro’s Black community—past, present, and future.
Triad Adult and Pediatric Medicine provides access to healthcare for uninsured
Health care isn’t cheap; sometimes even if you have medical insurance; but one agency in the Piedmont is making care available regardless of insurance coverage or financial status.
Triad Adult and Pediatric Medicine provides medical services at six locations in Guilford County thanks in part to help from a community foundation.
Chief Financial Officer Danielle Cole says, “we are a federally qualified health center. We do preventative medicine, wellness checks, immunizations, acute care.”
That may sound like every medical office, but Cole says what makes her organization unique is it cares for all patients, even the uninsured and those who cannot afford to pay out of pocket. The money comes from the Tri-County Health Fund administered through the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro.
“We consider ourselves to be a safety net provider,” says Cole. “So a lot of times if a person is uninsured or they don’t have insurance or the thought is ‘I have a limited amount of income and that needs to go towards gas or food.’ I’m not going to go and get care until it’s a really bad situation, and a lot of times I’m going to end up in the emergency room. Now I have more debt. I have a huge bill, and now I’ve bogged down that system with something that I could have gone to the doctor for and probably been treated and not had to create that effect.”
Celebrating Black History Month: Amplifying Black Voices
In Greensboro, Black history is a considerable part of the beauty of our city, from the courageous acts of civil rights pioneers to the vibrant cultural expressions that continue to shape our identity. Through these quotes, we celebrate the strength, creativity, and resilience of the Black community, inspiring us to reflect on the past, embrace the present, and work towards a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
“The footsteps of Black history have literally traveled right through the heart of Greensboro from the Underground Railroad stop on Guilford’s campus to the desegregation of hospitals/public schools, the Greensboro Four, and much more. I feel a strong sense of pride and responsibility to honor and celebrate those that have come before us and paved the way for the Black community here in Greensboro and across the nation”.
-Ericka Woodruff, AP Specialist & ETWI/GAP Program Assistant
“My daddy use to say…” You may have to fight a little more complicated . . . but you can be whatever you put your mind to.”
-Sadie Blue, Building Stronger Neighborhoods
“As a Black first-generation immigrant from Ethiopia, I’m proud to work in a county that holds 9000 people from the 54 African nations-approximately 250 of whom are Ethiopian. ”
-Cathy Knowles, Vice President of Development and Donor Engagement
“I embrace a reflective essence every Black History Month. Always remember the importance of learning from the past to build a bright and vibrant future.”
-Amber Smith, Administrative Assistant, Grants and Community Impact
“The Black community in Greensboro is unique because we have such a rich history. From the Civil War to civil rights, dozens of powerful people, voices, and movements started here in Greensboro. I feel lucky to be a part of an undeniably monumental community.”
-Kabrina Shamburger, Marketing Manager
“It’s so beautiful to be part of a culture with such poise, grace, richness, creativity, and resilience. I am proud of my heritage and make it a priority to show gratitude for those who paved the way.”
-Stephanie Surratt, Communications Specialist and Administrative Assistant, Guilford Nonprofit Consortium
Highlighting Hispanic and Latinx Communities of Greensboro
From September 15th to October 15th, we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. This is a time to honor the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latinx communities in the United States. The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro takes pride in the work we do to promote cultural diversity and create an equitable environment for people from all walks of life. We are taking this moment to appreciate the enduring impact of Hispanic and Latinx individuals and to acknowledge the vital role these communities play in shaping our collective identity. We have invited Hispanic and Latinx community leaders from the Greensboro area to share what Hispanic Heritage Month means to them.
“For me, Hispanic Heritage Month is about strengthening community connections and cultural understanding, and I volunteer for two organizations that live these values: Casa Azul of Greensboro and the Greensboro Literary Organization/Greensboro Bound Literary Festival. This fall, Casa Azul is partnering with Greensboro Bound through its Authors Engaging Students to bring Latinx authors to Guilford County Schools and its spring book festival. More to come on that soon!”
Martin Acevedo
Vice President of Marketing & Communications at CFGG
“Every Hispanic Heritage Month, I am reminded of my family’s journey to America and the invaluable contributions of the more than 1 million Hispanic/Latinos in North Carolina. Together, we can build a more inclusive and thriving community for all.”
José Olivia
Chief of Staff of Guilford County Schools & CFGG Board Member
José Olivia immigrated to the United States as a teenager. He currently serves as chief of staff of Guilford County Schools. He is the first Latino to serve as chief of staff of a large urban school district in North Carolina. In his prior roles, he served on Governor Cooper’s Advisory Council on Hispanic/Latino Affairs, the City of Greensboro International Advisory Committee and was elected the first Latino and youngest student body president of his college.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to reflect on my roots. As a CFGG employee, I am cognizant of the experiences of those who came before me, and I aim to honor this within my work.”
Megan Quiñones
Program Officer of Grantmaking Programs at CFGG
“Hispanic Heritage Month reminds us that this is a good moment to embrace our differences and to support each other on life’s journey. I am proud of my Latina and Latin American heritage and celebrate it year-round,”
Kattya Castellón
Entrepreneur, Local Small Business Owner & CFGG Board Member
Kattya is of Nicaraguan descent and is an entrepreneur and small business owner in downtown Greensboro. Prior to this, she worked in higher education at UNCG for 16 years as an Associate Director of Admissions. Part of her role at UNCG was to support Latinx students on campus—many who were first generation college goers. Kattya remains very active in Greensboro’s growing Hispanic/Latinx community as an advocate and volunteer—a passion and purpose that began in Managua and benefits our region today.
Equity Allies Giving Circle Welcomes New Members
NCCJ to Honor Mae Douglas and Dr. Patrick Harman
North Carolina for Community and Justice (NCCJ) will honor community leaders Mae Douglas and Dr. Patrick Harman with the Brotherhood/Sisterhood Citation Award at their 57th annual Citation Award Dinner on Wednesday, November 8, chaired by Leslie Dunne Ketner and Robert C. Ketner.
“NCCJ is delighted to honor Mae and Patrick,” says Ivan Canada, NCCJ’s executive director. “These two remarkable people are both multi-hyphenate community leaders. Mae and Patrick are volunteers – and mentors – and philanthropists. They make generous investments, but they don’t stop there. They then roll up their sleeves and do the work of creating the change they want to see for our communities. They’re using every resource they can to break down barriers, foster collaboration and partnership, and set our Triad community on the path toward a future that’s good for all of us – not just some of us.”
“Robert and I are proud and excited to chair this important event,” says Leslie Dunne Ketner. “In a polarized world, love is the only hope – and NCCJ is dedicated to bringing people together in understanding, acceptance, and love. We can’t wait to gather with our community this fall to celebrate Mae and Patrick and shine a spotlight on some of the incredible work these leaders are doing to uplift and strengthen our community.”
ABOUT OUR HONOREES
Greensboro native Mae Douglas is a lifelong advocate for racial and social justice. After a distinguished career as a corporate business leader and human resources executive, Mae came home to Greensboro – and got to work. Driven by her belief in the promise Greensboro embodies, calling it “a place of diversity, compassion, vision, and collaboration,” Mae is working to build a better city for future generations growing up in our community.
Since retirement, Mae has invested her time, talents, and resources as a volunteer, mentor, and philanthropist. She is dedicated to advancing the policy and systemic changes necessary to achieve full equity and accessibility in education, health care, business development, and all facets of life for those in our community. Her efforts are often focused in predominantly Black areas like those in East Greensboro where she grew up, since investments in the city’s growth historically left out neighborhoods like hers.
Mae currently serves with organizations such as Cone Health, UNC-Greensboro, and the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro. She previously served with several others, including NCCJ. Most recently, she played a key role in establishing the Black Investments in Greensboro (BIG) Equity Fund, a permanent endowment with a vision to transform the well-being of Greensboro’s Black communities.
During Mae’s career, she was nationally recognized for her significant contributions to diversity efforts and leadership development across the telecommunications industry. Mae has been honored many times for her work in the Triad, including the 2020 Athena Award by the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce; the 2022 Outstanding Greensboro Philanthropist by the Association of Fundraising Professionals – NC Triad Chapter; and the 2022 Thomas Z. Osborne Distinguished Citizen Award by the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, and the 2023 Black Business Ink Power 100 Award.
Dr. Patrick Harman works tirelessly to improve the quality of life for all people in his hometown of High Point. For more than 20 years, he has leveraged his Hayden-Harman Foundation to bring about positive, lasting change in our community. Patrick’s impact is both deep and wide; he quietly plays a key role in many aspects of High Point’s civic life and community development.
Much of Patrick’s work has focused on revitalizing the Washington Street area, High Point’s historic Black Main Street, through commercial and residential building renovation, business and economic development, and youth education and leadership initiatives. He founded Growing High Point to address healthy food access through comprehensive and sustainable food systems through the creation of urban farms, a food hub, and a mobile grocery store.
Seeking to grow the capacity of all nonprofits to respond to community trauma, Patrick founded Resilience High Point, a nonprofit that encourages public, private, and nonprofits to collaborate on building systems for a compassionate community. Patrick also launched the Bridge project that will serve as a comprehensive community-based hub of support to address healthy food access, health services access, job skill training, agribusiness development, and youth development.
Patrick has worked closely with organizations including D-Up, Elon University, Forward High Point, Greater High Point Food Alliance, Growing High Point, the John Coltrane International Jazz Festival, the Washington Street Community Association, United Way of High Point, and others.
Patrick’s philanthropic and social change work is informed by his background in political science and policy, and educational research methodology and psychology. His honors include the 2014 Esther Award from the Welfare Reform Liaison Project and a 2015 Fulbright award for supporting work alongside social scientists at Durham University to identify neighborhood-rebuilding projects deemed most effective by politicians, nonprofits, and community members.
ABOUT THE CITATION AWARD DINNER
The Citation Award Dinner is the Triad’s largest annual event dedicated to diversity and inclusion. It is also NCCJ’s biggest community program and fundraiser. Honoring Mae Douglas and Dr. Patrick Harman and chaired by Leslie Dunne Ketner and Robert C. Ketner, the 2023 Citation Award Dinner will be held both in-person and virtually (live streaming) on Wednesday, November 10, at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. Doors to the Guilford Ballroom will open at 5:45 p.m. for the reception, with the dinner and program taking place from 6:45 to 9 p.m.
Visit NCCJ’s website, www.nccjtriad.org/citation to reserve your tickets or event sponsorship, or to make a gift in honor of Mae Douglas or Dr. Patrick Harman. All revenue from the dinner provides essential support for NCCJ’s work throughout the year.
MORE ABOUT NCCJ
NCCJ is a human relations organization working to create compassionate and just communities free of bias, bigotry, and racism. We promote understanding and respect among all cultures, races, and religions through advocacy, education, and dialogue.
While we work with people of all ages, NCCJ’s youth leadership work is our cornerstone. We support teens’ mental health and social and emotional development by building their confidence, self-esteem, and resilience; showing them firsthand the value of diversity and the importance of inclusion and equity; helping them see their own agency to create positive change; and facilitating social connections with peers and adult allies to grow and strengthen their support systems.
NCCJ’s best-known youth program is Anytown. Since the 1980s, thousands of local high school students have participated in this weeklong youth leadership and human relations summer camp. Thousands more have attended NCCJ’s in-school programs like Anyday and Break the Cycle: Be the Change, which focuses on teaching students to recognize and counteract the stereotypes and prejudices that lead to bullying and discrimination.
In addition to our youth-focused programs, NCCJ also offers community programs like The Reset and Open Minds, Respectful Voices, as well as diversity and inclusion training for educators and other adult professionals.
Contact nccj@nccjtriad.org to arrange an in-person or virtual NCCJ program or presentation for your school, workplace, or organization.
Michael Humphrey: Equitable Philanthropy
Over the years, equity has become a hot topic amongst nonprofit organizations, but what is equity? No matter what industry or cause an organization supports, equity should be at the forefront and a driving force of how an organization operates.
In this edition of The Conversation, CFGG’s Vice President of Operations and Equity, Michael Humphrey, highlights how CFGG implements equity philanthropy.
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1. What does philanthropy mean to you?
Philanthropy to me is giving, caring, and playing an active role in the well-being of a community. It is defined as the desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes. Whether defined by me or by Merrian Webster, at its core philanthropy represents the good that can be attained for a community. The question for me came because I didn’t feel that philanthropy was a realm in which I could dwell as a person of color. My perception of philanthropy was that it was all ‘brick-and-mortar’ fundraising, reserved for very wealthy white people. I saw philanthropy as something that only families with names like Carnegie and Rockefeller, need bother with…and I could not have been more wrong, because I too am a philanthropist. While those wealthy American families utilized their wealth to help communities by building hospitals, colleges and universities, businesses, etc., that bear their names, it was their giving that directly impacted people, and that carries further with me.
It was not until my introduction to the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro that I realized that philanthropy was within my reach, without being either wealthy or white. On the contrary, I am a Black man who isn’t wealthy, but as a native of Greensboro, I desire to witness, nurture, live, and create a better life in Greensboro for myself, my family and all citizens of this great city. I never imagined moving back to Greensboro, after nearly 25 years aways, and to be able to invoke change, and leverage my position as a platform to teach others about philanthropy is beyond my wildest dreams. This is also an opportunity to utilize various tools of philanthropy to not only raise money for important causes such as housing, workforce, and education, but to also see how it can be used to manifest change in public policy and give voice to issues of social justice. Philanthropy to me means greater opportunities for all.
2. What is CFGG’s role and responsibility in fostering diversity and equity?
The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro bears the responsibility of servicing a community that is majority-minority, with a population that is approximately 52% ethnic minority and 48% white. So, when it states that CFGG’s vision is a city where people work together to enrich the lives of all, there is an expectation of CFGG to look representative of the community in its staff and Board of Directors, and for CFGG’s work to benefit everyone. We work hard to be an organization with diverse leadership, inclusiveness in our partnerships and with our volunteers, and equitable throughout all our work and various initiatives. The theme and principles of equity are infused throughout all aspects of our work.
We have incorporated a ‘Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement’ which reads:
“Our communities are diverse. They include people of all ages and abilities, creeds and religions, cultures, ethnicities, gender identities, national origins, and socioeconomic backgrounds. To pursue our mission, we will embrace our diversity, create opportunities for equity, commit us to fairness, and promote inclusion of all people.”
3. How can CFGG leverage partnerships to have a greater impact?
The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro must use collaborative partnerships to achieve our vision of our city as a welcoming and thriving place where people work together to enrich the lives of all. The operative term in our vision is ‘enrich the lives of all’, not just some, but all! Through our role as fundraisers and granters, we can create financial resources to grant to local non-profits and help to finance the work of other organizations that do more of the programmatic grassroots work. We not only raise funds, but we also serve as convenors, pulling together key community stakeholders including local politicians, business leaders, civic and community leaders, and Greensboro residents, to create opportunities for all residents of Greensboro.
4. How does CFGG’s mission and values align with the needs of the community?
The mission of CFGG states: “The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro inspires giving, maximizes opportunities and strengthens communities for every resident.” Greensboro, like many cities across the country, has its great points but faces some challenges as well. With an initiative like Guilford Jobs 2030, we are working to tackle one of those challenges. The challenge is a local workforce not adequately trained to fill skilled roles that are available now, and even more to come. Our goal here is to reach 60% of the local workforce being adequately trained/certified to fill these roles by 2030. There is a local affordable housing shortage that we are addressing with the creation of a housing fund used to fund builders in this type of development. We are also working to nurture and further develop local entrepreneurs, especially considering that most of the employers in Greensboro are entrepreneurs. This entrepreneurial sector must get our continued support.
The CFGG values include: Diverse and inclusive leadership, Strong entrepreneurial spirit, and Access to meaningful opportunities for every resident. I’ve talked a bit about CFGG’s diversity in leadership, and it is fact that diverse groups have proven more creative than groups of people with no diversity. It’s important that Greensboro and CFGG both remain creative and innovative entities. Likewise, a strong entrepreneurial spirit is needed both internally and externally as we go about our work in and around the Triad region. And finally, communities can’t thrive in a disparity-filled have and have-not environment. People generally are not looking for a hand-out, but more-so a hand-up and that is the definition of equity itself. It’s leveling the playing field, so that all can play in this game called life, and its truly organizations like CFGG and so many others that must figure how to invest in Main Street versus Wall Street. Philanthropy to me is about people and what vehicles can be used to enhance the lives of all citizens alike.
Ann Flynt: Women in Philanthropy
Over the years, society’s view of what philanthropy is and who can be a philanthropist has drastically changed.
Research has shown that women play a central role in the charitable giving space. There has been a shift in our culture whereas women are making more independent financial decisions. As a result, there has been a rise in the role women play in philanthropy. From donating to giving circles to holding leadership roles within charitable organizations, the presence of women in philanthropy is increasing.
In this edition of The Conversation, CFGG’s Director of ETWI and Guilford Apprenticeship Partners, Ann Flynt, provides insight into her journey and experience being a woman working in philanthropy.
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How does your career at CFGG help and/or influence your passion and goal in life?
All my life, I have felt the need to help people, but also wanted to excel in the business world. I began my career as a commercial underwriter for a large insurance company right out of college, but then life happened — I got married and quickly became the mother of 2 children. I was lucky to be able to stay home and take care of my 2 children for 7 years while my husband worked to support the family. When I decided to re-enter the workforce, I switched from my business focus to becoming an educator. The daughter of a college professor who spent her entire life around college campuses, becoming an educator was in my blood — there were a number of family members who were educators.
I began my career as a teacher assistant, and I worked my way up from a teacher assistant to a teacher, to assistant principal, to finally principal, earning additional college degrees and credentials along the way. But being the CEO of a school was not all that I thought it would be. So, I went looking for something new that would not only challenge me but also use my business and education knowledge and background. I was lucky enough to find that perfect position here at CFGG when I was hired as the Four County Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator with the Eastern Triad Workforce Initiative. I could not believe how lucky I was to not only find the perfect position, but also the best mentor and boss in Donna Newton who was the Director of Workforce Initiatives at CFGG. In my new role, I would be working with students, parents, educators, business-people, and community members. It was the perfect fit — a balance of education and workforce — with a focus on apprenticeships.
Apprenticeships are the gold standard of the workforce, and how blessed was I to have the opportunity to help develop Guilford Apprenticeship Partners (GAP) youth apprenticeship program. Helping young people find their career pathway and giving them the opportunity to earn a college degree with no debt, while also building a career for themselves — how powerful and rewarding! The work that GAP does is life-changing and truly inspirational as I get to see young people find their calling while also blossoming into adulthood! Additionally, I get to use both my business and education background.
How do you overcome the challenges you face?
I believe with hard work, faith, and determination you can overcome and survive any challenge you face. My family is a source of strength to me when I have had to deal with difficult situations, and I know that they will always be there cheering me on, telling me that I can do it! I am so thankful to have such a supportive family— Family means everything to me!!
What is a quote that empowers/inspires you?
This quote from Winston Churchill truly inspires me:
Success is not final
Failure is not fatal
It is the courage to continue that counts.
What advice would you like to give to other women?
I would like to encourage women to support each other, encourage each other, and band together to continue to make our community stronger and stronger each day!
Ending the Cycle of Poverty Through Micro-Enterprise
Passion to Purse and YWCA Greensboro are empowering women to start small businesses as a big step toward financial security.
In 2015, the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro’s Women to Women endowment fund awarded its first-ever, multi-year grant to Passion to Purse. This program, offered through YWCA Greensboro, is aimed at ending the cycle of poverty and homelessness by helping low-income and minority women start micro-enterprises.
While the core of the program remains an eight-week course covering business development, market research, pricing, and financial projections, it also offers a safe space for these women.
“It was like a support group for them,” said Rosalyn Womack, founding director of Passion to Purse. As the women worked on their individual businesses, they were also helping each other through the adversities they faced in their own personal lives.
Now in its fifth year, Passion to Purse has countless success stories of helping women create jobs for themselves. From selling hair products and hand-made soaps to opening bakeries and online consignment stores for designer children’s clothing, the “graduates” of Passion to Purse can be found living and thriving across our community.
The program is also thriving. Since receiving its first grant from Women to Women, Passion to Purse has been able to secure additional funding due in part to the prestige of that first grant.
“It makes other funders very comfortable [to know that] Women to Women found it fundable,” said Lindy Garnette, Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Greensboro.
To learn how you can donate to causes like this and others that are empowering people to create better lives for themselves, contact us today.