- How did you come to be charitable? Were there influences in your life that got you started?
My understanding of being charitable began in the Black church, where members were taught biblical principles of charitableness by giving tithes and offerings, which not only paid for the operational cost of running the church and paying salaries, but in addition, we were taught that the Christian thing to do is to be considerate of the poor by giving to the church’s benevolent fund. There are many great biblical narratives in both the old and new testaments that emphasizes—such as, the parable of the Good Samaritan. In the story a would-be-worshipper is overcome by robbers on a road and left for dead. Two religious leaders see the man overcome but choose not to help him and passes on the other side of the street. Later, a Samaritan, who historically would never have anything to do with someone from another faith, looks upon him, bandages him, and takes him to an Inn where he pays the keeper to take care of the Samaritan until he returns, this example is the very definition of what it means to be charitable.
2. What do you want Central New York to look like in the future?
I want to see CNY continue to focus on economic development initiatives to attract businesses, create jobs, stimulate growth in sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, technology and tourism.
3. How can philanthropy be a part of that change?
Philanthropy can improve communities by: Addressing systemic injustices, support human rights organizations, advocate for the marginalized, provide funding for social programs, legal ad, and public policy advocacy for marginalized people. Philanthropy can help build a community by bringing people together.
4. What do you feel are the greatest needs in our community right now?
- Educational and financial illiteracy
- Poverty
- high unemployment
- Lack of housing
- Homelessness
- A need for more job creation
- Lack of access to mental health facilities for indigent individuals and families
- Pipeline to prison for young black and brown inner-city men and women
5. Is there a quote that sums up or has shaped how you live your life?
Your mind is the incubator of thought. Every thought is a seed, and every seed sown produces the harvest that you see. If you don’t like what you see, change how you think.
