The Giving Black Podcast

This special Black Philanthropy Month Episode is about connecting Faith and Generosity.

Alex Adewole is a Business Architect and strategic thinker. Professionally, Alex has spent more than a decade helping organisations navigate complex change across government, financial services and the private sector.

Alex is also a long-time friend and brother. We met in church many years ago. Our families quite literally grew up together, and over the years, we have had the privilege of watching each other grow as devoted husbands and fathers.

In this conversation, we talk about our friendship and brotherhood, built on our shared Christian faith. Alex shares why, for him, faith and philanthropy are inseparable, and how his beliefs have shaped his understanding of generosity, service and the way he shows up in the world. He speaks about the intersection of faith, work, and purpose. 

Away from work, Alex enjoys travelling. Unlike me, he is a keen golfer, still pursuing that elusive round where everything actually goes according to plan!

I feel immensely blessed to call Alex my brother, and I couldn't be more proud to introduce you to him too.

I hope this episode inspires you to think about what drives your generosity, how your faith and values influence your giving, and ultimately, how they shape the way you show up in the world.

if you are interested in attending the Giving Black Conference on October 1, 2026 please click here: www.givingblack.ca
Also please like and subscribe to my channel and share this podcast with your friends, colleagues and family members. 

Blessings!

92% of African American women did not vote for the current US President. Yet Black women are now among those experiencing some of the sharpest economic consequences of the change in administration.

During the Biden era, Black women reached historically strong levels of employment. Since the beginning of the second Trump administration, those gains have been eroded, with unemployment among Black women rising sharply and reaching 7.6% in the first quarter of 2026. The impact has been particularly significant in the federal workforce, where Black women have long had a strong presence, and where tens of thousands of Black women have lost their jobs amid widespread federal workforce reductions.

Against this backdrop, I sit down with philanthropic advisor and culturist Sadé Dozan, Vice President of Advancement at Borealis Philanthropy and Founder of Melanate, for a provocative Black Philanthropy Month conversation about freedom, power and money.

What does freedom look like in our time, and how are we going to finance it?

Drawing on Sadé's work through Melanate., we contrast what happens when Black women are expected to withstand political and economic pressure and are also trusted with the capital, authority and resources to determine what comes next.

Sadé challenges us to move beyond seeing Black women as beneficiaries of philanthropy or negotiators for resources, and instead recognize them as leaders, investors, decision makers and architects of solutions.

Where does our power live? What happens when we invest in our capacity to act on what we already know? And how do we build power that does not depend on permission from institutions?

This is a conversation about moving from equity towards equity by investing in ourselves and each other. As Sade states, "Trust Black women. Invest in Black women. Build power." 

Freedom Was Never Free. It Was Funded!

Happy Black Philanthropy Month, LinkedIn family!

Many Voices. One Movement. That's the theme for this year's Black Philanthropy Month, led by the indomitable Floyd Jones and the incredible team at BackBlack.

Every August, I'm reminded how far this movement has come. What was once a conversation among a few has grown into a global community of people committed to celebrating and advancing Black philanthropy.

Throughout Black Philanthropy Month, agentsC Inc. and the Giving Black Network will be sharing conversations with Black philanthropists, fundraisers, and community leaders from around the world. 

I can't wait to introduce you to the people, ideas, and stories shaping this movement. We're beginning with my conversation with Kaci Patterson, MBA, Founder of Social Good Solutions and Black Equity Collective. One of the great privileges of hosting the Giving Black Podcast is meeting remarkable people I might never otherwise have had the opportunity to know. Kaci is certainly one of them.

Together, we reflect on philanthropy, fundraising, leadership, and the realities of our current moment. We discuss the impact of government cuts on employment among African American women in the USA, and the food, music, and mindful practices that help sustain us through the times.

I hope you enjoy the conversation.

Wishing everyone a blessed  and joyful  Black Philanthropy Month, and a reflective Emancipation Day as we continue building a movement rooted in generosity and community.

Aunty Pamela Grant is a seasoned executive leader and community advocate with more than 40 years of experience across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors in Canada and internationally. 

She is recognized for building partnerships that strengthen opportunities for racialized communities, women, youth, newcomers, and other equity-seeking groups. Her leadership includes serving as Interim Executive Director of LEAF, advising Justice Michael Tulloch's Independent Police Oversight Review, and supporting community development and youth entrepreneurship in Guyana through Cuso International. 

Recently retired, Pamela continues her lifelong commitment to community service, family, the arts, and travel. In this conversation we  explore the meaning of generosity beyond financial giving, highlighting the importance of relationships, mentorship, collaboration, and using one's influence to create opportunities for others. Aunty Pam shares lessons from her career in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, discussing the value of courageous leadership, authentic partnerships, and the role of community in driving lasting social change.

Together, Mide and Pam examine how philanthropy can become more inclusive and culturally grounded, while celebrating the traditions of care, resilience, and collective responsibility that have long existed within Black communities. Throughout the conversation, Pam offers thoughtful reflections on the leadership, purpose, and legacy of her father, encouraging listeners to consider how each of us can contribute to building stronger, more connected communities.

Please click here to lean more about the W.W. Anderson Award fro Carribean Studies at York University. 

At Giving Black, we say that "philanthropy is the heartbeat of the world". A conversation with Michelle Renée Jackson made me feel those words more deeply than ever.

Michelle Renée Jackson is a frank, fearless, and deeply inspiring woman. She is the founder of Simuel + Murray. She is a filmmaker, artist, fundraiser, and host of the Black Philanthropy: Our Stories podcast. Throughout her work, Michelle tells the stories of Black people, Black generosity, and Black community with honesty and grace.

Our conversation begins where many great stories do, with a life redirected towards our true passions. While studying for her Masters in Divinity at Harvard University, Michelle discovered that ministry was not her calling. Like many in our generation, she fell into fundraising backwards. What followed was a journey of reclaiming purpose, pursuing new dreams, and finding the courage to follow her heart, even when it unsettled her.

In this conversation we talk about what happens when perceived purpose gives way to real purpose. How to settle. How to find direction again. How to dare to dream.

Michelle States: The person who knows anything knows they don't know anything. Michelle Renée Jackson knows a great deal, and she is generous enough to share it all.

Our conversation moves into territory that felt as natural as two friends making sense of their realities together. We explore the war on DEI and its devastating impact on Black communities. We ask hard questions; is there a meaningful distinction between Black philanthropy and Afrocentric philanthropy among Black immigrant communities? Is there an imperative for Black philanthropy to support Black causes, or is that an unreasonable expectation?

We speak, we listen, we learn, and we reshape our understanding together. That is the true essence of dialogue, and that is what makes this conversation one I know I will return to over and over again!

This is an important conversation about the power of beloved community, as dreamt by Dr. Martin Luther King. 

Dr. Ryan J. Smith, President & CEO of St. Joseph Center in Los Angeles, shares a deeply personal and transformative journey, from experiencing homelessness to becoming a leading voice in community-based care and philanthropy. A native Angeleno, Dr. Smith introduces the powerful idea of “Linked Faith,” the belief that our shared humanity binds us together and calls us to uplift one another.

For 50 years, St. Joseph Center has empowered working-poor families and individuals experiencing homelessness to achieve stability and self-sufficiency. Each year, the organization serves nearly 15,000 people through the commitment of almost 300 staff members and more than 400 volunteers, helping individuals rebuild their lives and move toward healthier, more secure futures.

Dr. Smith reflects on how collaboration between local government, community partners, and St. Joseph Center have contributed to a nearly 25% reduction in housing insecurity across Los Angeles. With the city now housing approximately 200 people per day, he emphasises  what’s possible, when we commit ourselves to loving our neighbours, actioning sustained commitment, and committing to coordinated action.

Dr. Smith and I trace the organization’s remarkable journey from its founding by two Catholic Sisters to its present-day role as a cornerstone of community support across Los Angeles. Guided by its core pillars: H.O.M.E (Housing, Outreach, Mental Health, and Economic Mobility), St. Joseph Center continues to expand its impact. 

Touching on the  philanthropy of the Black church, foundations, and individuals, Dr. Smith speaks about challenging the role of conventional philanthropy to step up for Black-led organizations. We reflect on the importance of storytelling among lived-experts, upholding the dignity of all people in community, and the power of beloved community. 

This episode is both inspiring and thought-provoking, offering listeners a compelling look at what it means to serve with purpose, compassion, and vision.

Celebrate St. Joseph Center’s 50th anniversary and support their mission by making a donation today.

Contact Dr. Ryan. J. Smith: [email protected]

Season 2 Episode 2 of The Giving Black Podcast was entitled Angry Black Men. In this conversation Curtis Carmichael, author, educator, tech social entrepreneur, and community activist, and Joe Williams Managing Director of the Skills Trade Development Program at the Oaks Revitalization Association, plus yours truly spoke about the common stereotypes that we deal with. 

We promised to return to a conversation about the things that bring us joy—and here we are.

In this episode, we explore the essence of Black male joy: where it comes from, what sustains it, and how it evolves. Drawing on 2023 research from the Pew Research Center which highlights family, faith, and travel as key sources of joy among Black Americans, we ask: is that the full story for us a Black immigrant men in Canada?

Through a candid and engaging conversation, we reflect on our own lived experiences and uncover how joy is deeply tied to identity, purpose, and what it means to be a man today.

Tune in to hear what brings joy to the three Black men behind this podcast, and consider where your own joy lives.

Brooklyn Stroll Club

Contagious (STEPS)

Rest is Resistance

In this Episode of The Giving Black Podcast, you host Olumide Akerewusi explains how he entered into fundraising as a career and what he has learned about generosity along the way.

This podcast is about the importance of using ones voice to speak out against injustice and overcoming hardship with a determination to do good.

The podcast is also available on video: https://youtu.be/a-1T2IhsQ_U?si=DhJ6xdTpQ5WPyRiz

Hi Giving Black Family,

We hope you enjoy this amazing episode of The Giving Black Podcast, with Queen Jade, your Host of The Producers Series: Gleaux & Tell. 

In this episode, Queen Jade speaks with our friend and member of The Giving Black Family, Dorian Spears.

Dorian appeared as a Spotlight Guest at The Giving Black Conference, 2024 where she spoke about the New Era of Black Philanthropy – Shaping the Future of Black Generosity.

Dorian is an entrepreneur, strategist, and leader, building the empire of her dreams, known for her brilliance, and a bold commitment to creating a future rooted in equity and possibility.

Dorian inspires us by consistently betting on herself, navigating work and life transitions, and redefining success on her own terms.

In this conversation, Dorian and Queen Jade celebrate Black women’s power in shaping what comes next, especially during uncertain and unpredictable times. Curiosity, learning, and freely sharing knowledge are gifts that shape our legacy. Legacy isn’t what we leave behind, it’s what we give now. Queen Jade and Dorian explore what it means to move boldly toward the goals that matter.

Raised in the South, Dorian learned how assumptions shape lives. Her travels across the U.S. and the world sharpened her ability to see humanity clearly while navigating life as a Black woman. After years of working with billionaire philanthropists and gathering their insights, she is now focused on building her own initiatives. She brings her gifts forward through powerful questions and collective action.

Her inspiring quote to women: “You are the one you’ve been waiting for. Everything you need is already within you.”, leaves us with a powerful ethos to live by. 

Hi Giving Black Family,

We are glad to share another brilliant episode of The Giving Black Podcast, with Queen Jade, your Host of The Producers Series: Gleaux & Tell. 

In this Episode, Queen Jade speaks with Michael Tennant, the founder of Curiosity Lab and creator of the card game Actually Curious™ and The Five Phases of Empathy™, an award-winning brand strategist, he has worked with P&G, Coca-Cola, Google, Oatly, and Delta, and has spoken on empathy at NASA, IDEO, Johns Hopkins, and Lincoln Financial Group.

Michael is also the author of The Power of Empathy (named one of Inc.’s Best Business Books of 2024) and a contributing writer for Oprah Daily and Inc. Magazine. Through his frameworks, Michael helps teams build trust, uncover opportunities, and reframe challenges as roadmaps for innovation.

This is a deep conversation about the importance of knowing ourselves, shifting power, reframing challenges, and building trust as the foundation for generational wealth. People who pride themselves on working hard often sacrifice their own well-being. Yet offering ourselves grace and meaningful self-care can sharpen our awareness of what is truly happening around us. As Michael notes, fundraising requires lowering our egos enough to really see and hear others.

Michael shares his observation that there are genuine gaps in how philanthropy and fundraising pursue their missions and how they relate to the people they aim to support. We must take time to understand what sits behind the numbers, the hesitation, or the silence built into systems of counting and measuring fundraising and philanthropy.

This is a conversation that all social change agents must listen to.