Community

Blacks Impact Philanthropy in the Bay Area

Published

9 years ago

November 15, 2014

In celebration of National Philanthropy Day, the Association of Fundraising Professionals Golden Gate held a luncheon honoring leaders of philanthropy Tuesday Nov. 4 at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco.

One of those that was recognized was Performing Stars of Marin, a nonprofit organization fostering opportunities for low-income children in the performing art, which received the “Vineyards” Award.

For Performing Stars founder and Executive Director Felecia Gaston, the award serves as acknowledgement for the tireless, yet rewarding work she has put into building the organization over the last 24 years.

“I started with a zero budget and a dream. I had eight kids taking ballet. I started connecting them with scholarships and resources,” Gaston said.

A philanthropist in her own right, Gaston has devoted countless hours and resources to providing more than $50,000 in scholarships to more than 1,000 underserved children and youth in Marin.

She is among a growing number of African American leaders in philanthropy. Contrary to public belief, African Americans have a longstanding legacy of philanthropy.

African-Americans have a documented history of donating time and resources to philanthropic organizations and causes including community-based organizations, churches and social welfare causes.

For centuries, African Americans educators, ministers and thought leaders have opened their homes to feed the needy and organize volunteers for political and charitable causes.

Awardees included Kat Taylor and Tom Seyer, who received the “Outstanding Philanthropists” Award, Traci Eckels of KQED, who received the “Hank Rosso Outstanding Fundraising Professional” Award; Mark Buell, who received the “Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer” Award; and Pacific Gas & Electric Company, which received the “Outstanding Corporate Grantmaker” Award.

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation received the “Outstanding Foundation or Community Grant maker” Award; Mary G. F. Bitterman, president of the Bernard Osher Foundation, received the “Outstanding Foundation Professional” Award; and high school students Katie Easterly and Paige Blake each received an “Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy” Award.

James Head, the new CEO of the East Bay Community Foundation, says diversity in philanthropy is a key to understanding problems within the African-American Community.

“Black philanthropic professionals in leadership positions are impacting the field by providing visible evidence to communities that philanthropic institutions are sensitive to the unique issues facing Black families and communities,” Head said.

“Conscience efforts to achieve or maintain diversity within philanthropy helps the community to have confidence that we understand their issues from their perspective, and deepens the trust necessary to identify and implement true solutions,” he said.

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Related Topics:African American KQED Marin philanthropy

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Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

7 days ago

April 26, 2024

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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

1 week ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

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City Government

Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Published

1 week ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.

Special to The Post

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.

Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”

According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.

“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”

When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.

At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”

While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.

On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.

“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.

The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.