Philanthropy Speaks

Content note: This episode includes discussion of gun violence, homicide, and the loss of loved ones, including children, which may be distressing for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.  In this episode of Philanthropy Speaks , we mark Gun Violence Awareness Month with a candid conversation about community safety in Flint and Genesee County. Host Moses Bingham, Director of Strategic I...

What started with a handful of land banks you could count on one hand has grown into more than 350 across the country, reshaping neighborhoods and restoring communities from the ground up. In this episode of Philanthropy Speaks, host and Community Foundation of Greater Flint President and CEO Dan Kildee talks with Brian Larkin, director of the National Land Bank Network at the Center for Community...

What started as a patch of lawn outside Davison High School has grown into a thriving outdoor classroom complete with a native pollinator garden, food garden, greenhouse, and small orchard, transforming how students connect with the natural world. In this Earth Day episode of Philanthropy Speaks, host Jen Farrington talks with fine arts instructor Ryan Kelsey and environmental science teacher Pam...

What started with a $2,000 gift in 1985 has grown into over a million dollar fund transforming the lives of women and girls in Flint and Genesee County. In this episode of Philanthropy Speaks, host Becky Pettengill talks with Probate Judge Ariana Heath and nonprofit leader Brandee Cooke Brown about their work on the Flint Women and Girls Fund Advisory Committee at the Community Foundation of Great...

What does civic health look like in action? It starts with neighbors who know each other, trust each other, and show up. In this episode of Philanthropy Speaks , host Damon Ross talks with Patrick McNeal, Director of the North Flint Neighborhood Action Council and leader of Civic Flint, about grassroots civic engagement in Flint and Genesee County. Patrick shares how Civic Saturdays brings blue-co...

We’re back with a new season of Philanthropy Speaks! In this season-opening episode, host Lydia Starrs from the Community Foundation of Greater Flint looks back on 10 years of the Flint Kids Fund and what it has meant for Flint families since it was created after the water crisis. Lydia is joined by Dr. Mona Hanna, pediatrician, public health advocate, founding donor of the Flint Kids Fund, and fo...

Discover how young leaders are shaping the future of Genesee County in this episode of Philanthropy Speaks . Host Dan Kildee, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, talks with Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) members Milana Kia and Elijah Lynch about the power of youth leadership, youth-led grantmaking, and community involvement. Milana and Elijah share how participating in...

Content Warning: This episode discusses topics related to domestic violence and sexual assault, which may be distressing for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. In this episode of Philanthropy Speaks, host Chakara Wheeler, Program Officer at the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, sits down with DeAndra Larkin, CEO of YWCA Greater Flint, to recognize Week Without Violence and Domest...

What does it look like when a community pantry feels more like a neighbor’s living room? In this episode of Philanthropy Speaks , co-hosts Jennifer Farrington, Senior Program Officer and Damon Ross, Program Officer at the Community Foundation of Greater Flint sit down with Nate Jonker, Treasurer of the Clio Area Human Services Fund, to explore how the organization in northern Genesee County is tac...

This episode of Philanthropy Speaks marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability.  Host Lynn Williams, Director of Equity & Community Engagement, sits down with Jessica Dixon, Community Advocacy and Peer Specialist at the Disability Network , for a conversation about the disability experience, a...

Legacy giving and planned gifts can shape vibrant, long-lasting futures for our communities. This episode of Philanthropy Speaks features a conversation with Aaron Hamp. Aaron is the founder and president of INC Systems and co-founder and president of ProSwipe. In addition to his businesses, Aaron is a proud member of the Legacy Society at the Community Foundation of Greater Flint. Alongside host...

Content Warning: This episode discusses topics related to suicide, self-harm, mental health, gun violence, and death, which may be distressing for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.  In honor of Mental Health Month, Philanthropy Speaks presents a powerful conversation featuring CFGF President & CEO Dan Kildee, community advocate and nurse Tarnesa Martin ("Nurse T"), and...

In honor of Arab American Heritage Month, this episode of Philanthropy Speaks features a conversation with Lucine Jarrah, Executive Director of the Arab American Heritage Council (AAHC). Host Sue Peters, Vice President of Community Impact at the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, dives into the rich culture, stories, and leadership of the Arab American community in Flint and Genesee County.  L...

In this special episode of Philanthropy Speaks , we're celebrating National Reading Month by exploring the role reading plays in strengthening our communities. Host Chakara Wheeler, Program Officer at the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, is joined by Susana Quintanilla, the founder and director of El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil (EBFE).  Tune in to hear how EBFE is preserving Mexican c...

In this episode of Philanthropy Speaks, we shine a light on the powerful story of the St. John Street neighborhood, a once-thriving Black community in Flint, Michigan through the lens of the documentary St. John Street: Story of a Neighborhood. This film celebrates the vibrant history and enduring spirit of the St. John Street neighborhood, a once-thriving Black community in Flint. The documentary...

In this episode of Philanthropy Speaks , we're observing the National Day of Racial Healing through a discussion with local racial healing practitioners. Host Sue Peters, Vice President of Community Impact at the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, is joined by Elizabeth Jordan, Patrick McNeal, and Regina Laurie.  Tune in to discover how these community members conduct racial healing circl...

In this episode of  Philanthropy Speaks , we're highlighting the Sacred Heart Veteran Village—a transitional housing program designed specifically for local veterans. Host Damon Ross, Program Officer at the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, is joined by Katie Baxter and Tom Haeussler from Catholic Charities of Shiawassee & Genesee Counties. Tune in to discover how this innovative pro...

In this special episode of Philanthropy Speaks , we’re highlighting Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month. Host Chakara Wheeler, Program Officer at the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, is joined by Asa Ascencio Zuccaro. Asa is the Executive Director of Latinx Technology & Community Center, a non-profit organization focused on enhancing the dignity and quality of life for the Flint & G...

In this special episode of Philanthropy Speaks , we’re highlighting National Literacy Month with an in-depth conversation on the transformative power of literacy in Flint and Genesee County. Host Sue Peters, Vice President of Community Impact at the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, is joined by Vincent Slocum, Executive Director of the Flint & Genesee Literacy Network. Together, they exp...

In this episode of Philanthropy Speaks, Lynn Williams, Director of Equity & Community Engagement of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, sits down with Flint neighborhood advocate Carma Lewis to celebrate Black Philanthropy Month. Carma is a CFGF Board Member, Office Manager for US Representative Dan Kildee, and President of Flint Neighborhoods United. Tune in to discover Lynn and Carma&...

In this episode of Philanthropy Speaks, Lydia Starrs, Senior Program Officer of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, sits down with Jennifer Silverton and Teresa White, the founders of Xceptional Heroes. These dedicated mothers of young adults with cognitive and intellectual disabilities share their journey of establishing an organization that creates meaningful opportunities throughout Gene...

In this episode of Philanthropy Speaks—Championing Fatherhood, Host Moses Bingham, Director of Strategic Initiatives of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, is joined by Shon Hart and Alan Jordan of InvolvedDad. Explore how Shon Hart founded InvolvedDad, an organization that empowers men to be engaged fathers by providing training, coaching, and peer support in a safe environment. Learn more...

Join us in this episode of Philanthropy Speaks as we dive into entrepreneurship, social enterprise, and the evolving food scene in Flint, Michigan. Host Damon Ross, Program Officer at the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, engages in a captivating dialogue with Tony Vu, the pioneering force behind Flint Social Club. Explore Tony's remarkable journey, from the legacy of his Vietnamese heri...

Description: In this episode of Philanthropy Speaks, join us as we delve into the inspiring stories and impactful initiatives of the women from the Flint Area Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. This episode's host Lottie Ferguson, Vice President of Development and Donor Services has a meaningful conversation with her Links sisters Lennetta Coney and Wanda Harden. Discover their motivations,...

As August marks National Breastfeeding Month, we dive into an important topic that is often overlooked but deeply impactful – breastfeeding and its connection to racial and ethnic disparities within Flint and Genesee County. Join Lydia Starrs, Senior Program Officer, and Chakara Wheeler, Program Officer, as they have a conversation with Shonte Terhune Smith, the driving force behind YOLO Breastfee...