In celebration of Black Philanthropy Month, we are honored to highlight the impact of generosity and leadership of several Lilly Family School of Philanthropy alumni who are involved with the school, the community, and engaged on a philanthropic journey.
Tanika Scott serves as the assistant director of development at IU Indianapolis University Library. We asked Tanika what led her to the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
“Community work and volunteering have always been a passion of mine. My jobs often had community work associated with them, which made me wonder if I could make a career out of it.
“I started researching opportunities and different career paths, schools and programs. My research led me to the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. It was unique. It’s the first of its kind. It was in the city where I lived. It came together and it was perfect. I’m also very aware that in the future there’s going to be a larger need for minorities to work in philanthropy. That’s exciting for me as I pursue my master's in philanthropic studies.”
LaDaniel "Danny" Gatling II is the vice president for institutional advancement at Bennett College in Greensboro, NC. We asked Danny how his education from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy impacted his career trajectory.
“I was appreciative of the opportunity to learn from highly credentialed experts from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, all of whom brought depth into my understanding of philanthropy.
“I learned to recognize and appreciate different cultures and different ways of life even more, which impacted my thought process. I also learned how to create infrastructure within organizations. I still go back to my notes and notebooks even to this day because everything I learned was so valuable.”
Taylor Rhodes serves as the education initiatives manager at United Way of Central Indiana. We asked Taylor what legacy she wants to leave behind.
“I think about Ubuntu, a traditional African philosophy that means ‘I am what I am because of who we all are.’
“The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy really taught me about seeing commonality among people and serving the community with a sense of caring. I believe in the social good and doing my part to move that social good. That’s what I learned and that’s what I hope to leave for others. I hope we all can live with a sense of oneness.”
George Suttles is the executive director of Commonfund Institute. We asked George about the impact the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy had on him.
“At the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, I was really challenged to interrogate, dissect, and understand the philanthropy ecosystem and how philanthropy impacts power.
“I was empowered to explore, diagnose, unpack, and expand my own imagination around what philanthropy was capable of, which is really what I embarked upon during and even after my time at the School of Philanthropy. I believe that the more you learn, the more you should be encouraged to use your imagination. I think that's what the School of Philanthropy really did for me.”
Nicole A. Streeter is the CEO of The FirstLead, a consulting firm, leading organizations to establish sound corporate responsibility practices and create bold social impact. We asked Nicole what excites her about her future in philanthropy.
“What excites me is that I've had exposure in corporate philanthropy and have been really focused on that in these latter years.
“I’m also excited about my current career path, which is moving me towards more environmental, social, and governance work. Corporations are beginning to focus more on their social impact, so having a strong foundation and understanding in philanthropy is invaluable in this space now. Through the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, I was able to connect my personal passion with an incredible career in philanthropy.”
Angela R. Logan, Ph.D. is an associate teaching professor and the St. Andre Bessette Academic Director of the Master of Nonprofit Administration in the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame. We asked Dr. Logan what excites her about the future.
“What excites me most about my future are the opportunities that await not only me professionally, but also the nonprofit philanthropic sector.
“As we come out of the recession that accompanied the COVID-19 global pandemic, there are a lot of opportunities and a lot of lessons that we could, and should have learned. I'm excited to see how we apply those lessons.
“Whether it’s for basic needs and the safety net that exists or doesn't exist in society, the fight for racial justice and racial reconciliation that emerged in the summer of 2020, or the whole work/life integration that has now emerged, it really excites me to see how all of those are going to play out.
“It’s fun and energizing to think about who is now going to be engaged in the philanthropic sector. What is giving going to look like? Who is going to give to what and why, and how do we mobilize all of it?”
Dr. Winterbourne Harrison-Jones serves as the senior pastor of the Witherspoon Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis, and is a widely sought-after preacher, workshop facilitator, and philanthropic consultant. We asked Dr. Harrison-Jones what advice he had for future and current students.
“The academic study of philanthropy must first be anchored in one’s desire to impact the world for the better.
“As students of the philanthropic discipline, we have a moral obligation to model practices that speak to the highest ideals of our global community and are unafraid, in the words of the late Congressman John Lewis, to get into “good trouble” for the common good.
“Don’t be afraid to take risks and push boundaries. Stand in the gap and don’t be afraid of asking the tough questions. Remembering always that if there’s a life, you can live it; if there’s a job, you can do it; if there’s a need, you can match it; if there’s a challenge, you can face it; if there’s a sickness, you can heal it; if there’s a barrier, you can break it; if there’s a class, you can teach it; and if there’s a book, you can write it!
“Always remember that your thoughts become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits create your character, and that your character influences your destiny.”
