August is Black Philanthropy Month.

Black Philanthropy Month is a global celebration and concerted campaign to elevate Black philanthropic leadership, and the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County is excited to support it.

"We are excited to continue our support of National Black Philanthropy Month" said Hina Naseem and Judy Smith, co-Chairs of WGC's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. "Informing, involving, inspiring and investing in Black philanthropic leadership are among the goals of this annual celebration and we are committed to advancing this important work in philanthropy, both in our community and across the country."

The WGC will highlight Black Philanthropy Month with two celebratory efforts:

WGC’s “Our Giving, Our Stories!” Profiles
Beginning on Saturday, August 1 and each day in August thereafter, the WGC will be sharing daily profiles of Howard County philanthropists in celebration of Black Philanthropy Month. We look forward to highlighting these inspirational stories of women in our community who will discuss what moves them to give their time, talent and financial resources, when they started giving to issues that are important to them, and what advice they have for those interested in giving back. Follow the WGC on social media and be sure to check our website daily to learn more about these inspirational philanthropists! www.womensgivingcircle.org

“I am thrilled to be leading the WGC’s “Our Giving, Our Stories!” Profile effort for Black Philanthropy Month” said Malynda Madzel, philanthropist and former WGC Advisory Board Member. “As a long-time supporter of the WGC, I’m excited to elevate the voices of women in our community who give back in so many ways.” 

WGC’s “Our Giving, Our Stories!” Virtual Happy Hour 
Monday, August 3, 2020 at 6:00 pm

With Keynote Speaker Jackie Hrabowski
Joined by Cynthia Bell and Hosted by Candace Dodson Reed

Join us for a virtual happy hour to kick-off the WGC's series of “Our Giving, Our Stories!” profiles in celebration of Black Philanthropy Month. We’ll discuss the WGC, our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, and what motivates women to give. RSVP by July 31, 2020 at www.womensgivingcircle.org

“I am honored to host this important WGC Virtual Happy Hour conversation for Black Philanthropy Month” said Candace Dodson Reed, philanthropist and long-time WGC supporter. “Elevating the important stories of how women are giving in our community is critical as we work to engage others in collectively addressing critical issues in our community, and our country.”

This is the second year that the WGC is supporting National Black Philanthropy Month, and is among the first giving circles to become a sponsor.  "The WGC's continued support as a Black Philanthropy Month Sponsor is helping to lead the way nationally for giving circles to promote and invest in black philanthropic leadership during August and year-round" said BPM Co-Architect Valaida Fullwood, who founded a giving circle in North Carolina.

"We are very proud to continue our support for Black Philanthropy Month" said Barb Van Winkle, Chair of the Women's Giving Circle. "We look forward to promoting this important work and invite the community to join us!”

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Philanthropy means generosity in all its forms and is often defined as giving gifts of time, talent and financial resources to promote the common good. In order to do this work and improve our philanthropic efforts to better meet our mission, the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County is working to advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in our giving circle and our grantmaking. I have invited my friend and colleague Judy Smith to guest write my column this month and highlight the important DEI work she is leading for the Women’s Giving Circle. – Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, WGC Executive Director

July 2, 2020

By Judy Smith, WGC Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Co-Chair
​For Her Mind Magazine

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, abounding racial inequities, and increasing political polarization, Hina Naseem and I, co-chairs for the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County’s (WGC) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, are incorporating mindful leadership in all we do for the WGC and the Committee.

We are actualizing the DEI charter by moving from words on a sheet of paper to the implementation of a measurable action agenda. 


​Our goal is to ensure all WGC activities reflect the organization’s DEI commitment in practice, policy and governance. Our approach incorporates strategic thinking, team building, egoless actions, innovation, and presence.

The DEI Committee’s action agenda incorporates two tracks:
​
Track 1 – Learn and Reflect

• Understanding DEI
• Usage of uniform language
• Storytelling
• Awareness Building
• Understand the “What” and “So What” of DEI

Track 2 – Act and Dive Deeper

• Use your will and skill
• Study the Impact of DEI initiatives on Howard County and WGCs nationwide
• Translate our collective knowledge and experience into action
• Define and monitor measurable outcomes
• Answer – “Now What?”

This approach acknowledges that each of us still has more to learn about DEI while knocking down unknown structural barriers that prevent us from closing any equity gaps in grant giving.

So, where does WGC stand with its DEI initiatives?

• Diversity, outcome focused – “Presence of difference within the WGC setting” – Going from good to great
• Equity, process focused – “Ensures everyone has equal access” – Progressing
• Inclusion, outcome focused – “Ensures everyone is asked to the table” – Going from good to great

What can you expect in the upcoming months from the WGC’s DEI efforts?  We have a busy summer agenda:

• Black Philanthropy Month (BPM) celebration throughout August 2020:
  • A Conversation with Black Philanthropist to discuss – “Why Should You Give”
  • A Virtual Event that explores philanthropy through via film
  • Published reading list and calendar of local BPM activities
• Drafting of the WGC DEI framework to guide us through assessment and measurement
• Continued committee, Board and community training

As I reflect on the task at hand, some moments present great joy and honor to be a DEI co-chair.  Then, there are times when I am overwhelmed by the thought of such an enormous task.

Those are the times when I ground myself in the facts:

• WGC is a great organization that continues to address the needs of women and girls in the Howard County Community through giving
• It is a circle of fantastic women and the circle continues to grow
• I can see my resources (time, talent and dollars) in action and helping others daily
• My past DEI experiences (both positive and not so positive) are leverageable to affect change within my community for the good
• Finally, it just plain unadulterated fun

​It is my hope that I have shed some light on the WGC DEI Committee and you too will see the value in joining Hina and I as we journey to be a part of WGC efforts to expand philanthropy and increase giving by local women to help local women.