Preserving Wealth, Honoring Legacies & Raising Awareness

The Cleveland Foundation’s African American Philanthropy Committee (AAPC) was created in 1993 to promote awareness and education about the benefits of wealth and community preservation through philanthropy. Awareness led to stewardship in 2010, when the Committee established a fund to help support a variety of organizations within the African American community of Greater Cleveland. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

African American Philanthropy Summit

The committee convenes a Philanthropy Summit once every two years to raise the visibility of African American philanthropy in the region and to honor local African American philanthropists who are making a lasting and significant impact.

Join us for the 2024 African American Philanthropy Summit

Philanthropy and the Black Family: Elevating from Moment to Movement

Saturday, April 13

8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Corporate College East 

(virtual option available via Zoom)

Register Now!

 

Featured Speakers

Dr. Michael Eric Dyson – Luncheon KeynotePhoto of Michael Eric Dyson

Michael Eric Dyson, a distinguished professor, author, preacher, and media personality, is a leading figure in American intellectual discourse. With a Ph.D. in Religion from Princeton University, he has taught at prestigious institutions such as Brown, Columbia, and Georgetown University. Currently serving as Distinguished University Professor at Vanderbilt University, Dyson is acclaimed for his over 25 books, including seven New York Times bestsellers.

Mr. Dyson has received numerous awards, including the Langston Hughes Medal, and has written extensively on figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Barack Obama. Dyson’s work spans cultural criticism, civil rights analysis, and societal introspection, earning praise from critics and readers alike. As a preacher, Dyson has delivered sermons at notable venues across the nation. Mr. Dyson is also a prominent media commentator, contributing to significant platforms like NPR, MSNBC, and The New York Times. With his insightful analysis and compelling voice, Dyson continues to shape conversations on race, politics, and society in America.

Featured Morning Panel

Breaking Barriers: Addressing Social Determinants of Health to Amplify Generational Wealth ​

The social determinants of health influence an individual’s well-being, including socioeconomic status, education, employment, social support networks and health care services. These factors can have significant impacts on economic stability and wealth accumulation across generations of Black families. This panel will discuss these factors and resolutions to elevate from moment to movement and close significant equity gaps. 

Photo of Jazmin Long Photo of Dale Anglin

Panel Moderator: Jazmin Long

CEO, Birthing Beautiful Communities

Dale Anglin

Director, Press Forward

Photo of Michael Baston Photo of Airica Steed

Dr. Michael Baston

President, Cuyahoga Community College

Dr. Airica Steed

President & CEO, The MetroHealth System

 

Thank you to our 2024 African American Philanthropy Summit sponsors:


Biennial

RPM logo

Stratos Wealth Partners logo  

Heritage

Case Western Reserve logo  
Huntington Bank logo

Tradition

Shinn Family Foundation

Margaret W. Wong & Associates, LLC


Advocate

Metro Lexus


Check out highlights from the 2022 African American Philanthropy Summit!


Friends of the African American Philanthropy Committee

Would you like to have a meaningful and lasting impact in the community? The Friends of the African American Philanthropy Committee was launched in 2020 to connect philanthropic minded individuals to work together in advancing philanthropy within the African American community. To join contact Terri Bradford Eason, Senior Director, Philanthropy Equity Initiatives at teason@clevefdn.org.



Recent News

Take The Next Step In Your Philanthropy by Terri Bradford Eason, Senior Director of Philanthropy Equity Initiatives (Winter 2023 issue of The Black Professional)

Mixing Business and Philanthropy: A Winning Strategy by Terri Bradford Eason, Senior Director of Philanthropy Equity Initiatives (Fall 2022 issue of The Black Professional)

So, You Want to Be a Philanthropist? by Terri Bradford Eason, Senior Director of Philanthropy Equity Initiatives (Summer 2022 issue of The Black Professional)

The Environmental, Social and Governance Framework in Philanthropy: Going Beyond Grants to Achieve Impact by Terri Bradford Eason, Senior Director of Philanthropy Equity Initiatives (Spring 2022 issue of The Black Professional)

Common Threads of Philanthropy: A Love of Humanity that Transcends Generations by Terri Bradford Eason, Senior Director of Philanthropy Equity Initiatives (Winter 2022 issue of The Black Professional)


Ways to Give Back

Collectively, members of the AAPC also support the mission of the Cleveland Foundation, which includes building community endowment, addressing needs through grantmaking, and providing leadership on key community issues. The African American Philanthropy Committee Legacy Fund supports a variety of organizations within the African American community of Greater Cleveland. This fund is bolstered by individuals of all ages, businesses, sororities and fraternities, faith-based organizations, and multiple member organizations.

Contact the African American Philanthropy Committee and follow @CleveFoundation #GivingHasNoColor.


Recent Events

2022 African American Philanthropy Summit, Philanthropic Equity: Making an Impact

Hundreds of change-makers gathered to discuss philanthropic equity and creating impact in communities at the 2022 Cleveland Foundation African American Philanthropy Summit on April 30. Attendees had the opportunity to network and dive into deep conversations around pressing topics in philanthropy at breakout sessions throughout the day. They also heard insights from featured speakers Kevin Clayton, vice president of diversity, inclusion & engagement for the Cleveland Cavaliers; and Michele Ghee, CEO of EBONY and JET magazines. Mellody Hobson, co-CEO & president of Ariel Investments and vice chair of Starbucks, also shared remarks via Zoom. Visit our blog here for highlights












“2020 Vision: Disrupting the Cultural Landscape Through Philanthropy — The Conversation Continues with Eddie and Sylvia Brown”
The Cleveland Foundation African American Philanthropy Committee welcomed Baltimore philanthropists Eddie C. and C. Sylvia Brown virtually Nov. 10, 2020, to continue the conversation on “Disrupting the Cultural Landscape Through Philanthropy” that began at that summer’s first-ever all-virtual African American Philanthropy Summit.



“2020 Vision: Disrupting the Cultural Landscape Through Philanthropy”
The 2020 Cleveland Foundation African American Philanthropy Summit took place via Zoom on May 30 featuring a conversation between Featured Speaker Valeisha Butterfield Jones, Business Leader and Co-Founder and CEO of WEEN-Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network, and moderator Jeff Johnson, AAPC Committee Member and Chief Curator for Men Thrive.


Archived News and Information


Cleveland Heights couple Justin and Andrean Horton share what motivates them to give back and why they’re excited about the 2020 African American Philanthropy Summit via the Cleveland Foundation

The brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Delta Alpha Lambda Chapter, help their community cope with the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic via the Cleveland Foundation


Celebrating African American Philanthropy


Donors-AAPC-2018-Tibbs

Belva Denmark Tibbs and Imani Denmark Tibbs describe how philanthropy became an important part of their mother-daughter relationship. 


Donors-AAPC-2018-Harris

Clevelanders Valdia Burns, Barbara Harris and Ann-Marie Ogletree explain the events and people that inspired their philanthropic giving.


Donors-AAPC-2018-Madison

Consultant and entrepreneur Ellen Burts-Cooper, Ph.D., and architect Bob Madison share how their education and professional backgrounds help inform their philanthropic passions.



African American Philanthropy Committee Members

Ellen Burts-Cooper, Ph.D., Co-Chair
Chief Improvement Officer & Senior Managing Partner, Improve Consulting and Training Group

Ronald V. Johnson, Jr., Co-Chair
Senior Vice President & General Counsel, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland

Montrie Rucker Adams
CEO, Visibility Marketing, Inc.

Bishara Addison
Director, Job Preparation, The Fund for Our Economic Future

Alicia Graves
Attorney at Law, Law Offices of Alicia N. Graves

Justin Horton, CFP
Wealth Advisor, Stratos Wealth Partners

Valissa Howard
Chief People Officer and General Counsel, Greater Cleveland Food Bank

Jazmin Long, MSSA, MNO
Chief Executive Officer, Birthing Beautiful Communities

Kevin McDaniel
Executive Director, Mental Health America of Ohio

Antoine Moss, Ph.D.
Community Relations Manager, NASA Glenn Research Center

Steve Sanders
CEO, Inner Community Health

Robyn Minter Smyers
Partner, Executive Committee Member, Thompson Hine LLP

Belva Denmark Tibbs
Community Partner

2024 African American Philanthropy Summit Honorary Event Chairs

Lillian Kuri
President & CEO, Cleveland Foundation

Randell “Randy” McShepard
Vice President, Public Affairs & Chief Talent Officer, RPM International Inc.
Board of Directors, Cleveland Foundation

Phyllis Harris
Executive Director, LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland

Meltrice Sharp
CPA & Managing Partner, CLE Consulting Firm

Dr. Michael Baston, Ed.D
President, Cuyahoga Community College

Dr. Airica Steed
CEO & President, The MetroHealth System

Kayla Griffin
State Director, All Voting is Local
President, Cleveland NAACP