The Central New York Community Foundation is welcoming three new Black Equity & Excellence Fund advisory council members: Karla Hall, Indaria Jones and Reverend DeCarto D. Draper. The advisory council is charged with reviewing grant proposals, making funding recommendations and identifying gaps and opportunities to create a more equitable and economically inclusive Central New York. Members represent a cross-section of industries and backgrounds reflecting varying viewpoints.
The Community Foundation’s Black Equity & Excellence Fund, launched in 2020, is designed to fund community-based projects that center, uplift and serve Black communities in Central New York by addressing economic and social disparities caused by historic marginalization. The fund is dedicated to fostering self-sufficiency, economic development, and community empowerment.
The following new members were appointed:
Reverend DeCarto D. Draper Jr, Senior Pastor, Tucker Missionary Baptist Church
Pastor Draper has served as the fourth senior pastor at Tucker Missionary Baptist Church for nearly a decade. He also currently serves as an area vice president of the Empire Baptist Missionary Convention of New York. He formerly served as the president of the General Baptist State Convention of Michigan, Congress of Christian Education, as second vice president of the Baptist General State Congress of Christian Education of Illinois as well as first vice president of Rockford and Vicinity Baptist District Association. He is a member of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., formerly serving on its pastor and evangelical boards. He has also preached in the Moderators Division and the coveted Late-Night Service.
Pastor Draper is a sought-after revivalist, teacher, preacher and lecturer for his thought-provoking biblical sermons. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in marketing and a master of divinity degree from Liberty University. He is currently matriculating at Payne Theological Seminary to obtain his doctorate of ministry in transformational preaching. He is married to Lady Joy Draper, the “Joy” of his heart, and is a proud husband, father, son and Pastor.
Karla Hall, Entrepreneur
Karla Hall is a dynamic entrepreneur and recipient of the NAACP Oprah Winfrey philanthropy award, is a dedicated community activist and passionate philanthropist whose work is guided by her deep faith. As the co-founder of multiple successful ventures, she has used her business acumen to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly young women and minorities, encouraging them to break barriers and pursue their dreams. Her leadership extends beyond business, as she actively supports initiatives that foster social cohesion, economic empowerment and educational opportunities in underserved communities.
Karla’s philanthropic efforts reflect her commitment to creating lasting change. She contributes her time, resources and expertise to causes ranging from education and healthcare to environmental sustainability and social justice. Her unwavering dedication to impacting the next generation through mentorship and advocacy ensures that her legacy of compassion, integrity and faith will be felt for years to come.
Indaria Jones, Entrepreneur and Program Director, Couri Hatchery Business Incubator
Indaria is an award-winning entrepreneur and business development professional dedicated to empowering CEOs, startups and community leaders across New York. Her work has helped secure over $128 million in funding, with a focus on creating opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs. In 2018, she founded an incubator to advance this mission, and in 2022, she joined Syracuse University to lead the Couri Hatchery Incubator in Whitman.
A nationally recognized leader, Indaria has mentored for organizations like Morgan State University and the Blackstone Charitable Foundation and has evaluated initiatives such as the Black Ambition Prize and Wise Women’s Business Center. She has also served for organizations such as Say Yes to Syracuse and Cooperative Federal Credit Union. Her accolades include being named to Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Social Impact, receiving the NYS Black Legislative Caucus Economic Development Award, and being recognized as a CNYBJ 40 Under 40 awardee.
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The Central New York Community Foundation is a public charity that turns community dollars into community change. Established in 1927, it receives contributions from donors, manages them to grow over time and then distributes funding to address the region’s greatest needs. The foundation has invested nearly $300 million in community projects that benefit Central New York. It also serves as a civic leader, convener and sponsor of strategic initiatives that foster a thriving and equitable region and address the most critical issues of our time.
