

We are the soul.
TSOP Michigan is a volunteer collective dedicated to bringing the country’s most coveted interactive celebration of Black philanthropy to the state of Michigan. As practitioners and advocates for philanthropy, we are honored to invite the Detroit community and our neighbors to experience "Giving Back: The Soul of Philanthropy Reframed and Exhibited." We are 100% volunteer led.

HOST COMMITTEE
The Host Committee is a team of community members passionate about spreading joyful awareness about the philanthropic efforts of the Black community - both local and in different pockets of the country - to Michigan residents.
STEERING COMMITTEE
Nikia Washington, Chair
Collin Mays, Chair
Orlando Bailey
Gail Busby
Rev. Antoine T. Colvin
Rachel Decker
Dr. Marita Gilbert
Mark Greer
Brandon Lane
Tyler Parlor
Courtney Smith
Jeremiah Steen
OUR PHILANTHROPY
The Soul of Philanthropy Michigan will present eight awards and feature the stories of more than 50 Black philanthropists.
Stay tuned for opportunities to nominate your favorite Black philanthropists.

Hello
"Giving Back: The Soul of Philanthropy Reframed and Exhibited "
in
Detroit, Michigan
June 2, 2023, through August 27, 2023, at The Detroit Historical Museum
With programming in partnership with community-centered spaces in and around Detroit.
Hello
The Soul of Philanthropy: Reframed and Exhibited is designed to:
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Honor, celebrate and sustain rich traditions of giving within African American communities.
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Inspire communities to engage in the work of philanthropists—thoughtfully, strategically and generously.
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Enhance the capacity of African American institutions to present highly engaging and authentic stories from the Black experience and to lead civic engagement activities that benefit the community.

Check out the pop-up exhibit hosted at MUSE Gallery in Grand Rapids last Fall!

STAY IN THE KNOW
POP-UP EXHIBIT
GRAND RAPIDS POP-UP
A pop-up abridged edition will be installed and exhibited in Grand Rapids, Michigan
October 22 - November 26, 2022
at
Muse GR (727 Leonard Street NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504)
Grand Rapids Organizing Committee
Collin Mays // Mays Family Institute
Nikia Washington // EarlyWorks, LLC
Tatum Hawkins // Women’s Resource Center
Aimée Laramore // Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy
Tory Martin // Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy

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SPONSORED BY






ANN ARBOR POP-UP
A pop-up abridged edition will be installed and exhibited in Ann Arbor.
Friday, March 10, 2023
through
Saturday, March 25, 2023
at
Morris Lawrence Building
The Gallery at Washtenaw
Community College
Opening Reception | Strolling Dinner
March 10 at 6 - 8 PM
Click here for tickets.
SPONSORED BY
The African American Endowment Fund


On The Exhibit Author & Photographer

Author
Valaida Fullwood
Described as an idea whisperer, Valaida brings unbridled imagination and a gift for harnessing wild ideas to her work as a writer, public speaker and consultant. She is the award–winning author of Giving Back: A Tribute to Generations of African American Philanthropists, a 400–page hardcover book profiling stories of philanthropy among African Americans that was developed with photographer Charles Thomas. Giving Back was named one of the 10 Best Black Books of 2011 and received the prestigious 2012 McAdam Book Award, which celebrates “the most inspirational and useful new book for the nonprofit sector.” In 2014, Valaida was named Lake Distinguished Visitor at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She is a founding member of New Generation of African American Philanthropists and blogs at valaida.com.

Photographer
Charles Thomas
Charles is an artist–photographer, educator and entrepreneur. Formerly education director at The Light Factory Contemporary Museum of Photography and Film, he is now founding Executive Director at Queen City Forward. Charles is owner of Sankofa Photography and the photographer of Giving Back. Collaborators on the book, Charles and Valaida Fullwood are featured in a TEDx Talk on philanthropy and have developed “The Soul of Philanthropy” exhibition. Charles currently serves on the boards of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and East Mecklenburg High School Foundation and is a member of New Generation of African American Philanthropists. Charles is married to Micaila Milburn and is the proud father of three beautiful boys.
PROGRAMS
Leading up to and during the exhibit, TSOP Michigan is excited to bring the community:
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Pop-up exhibitions
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Artist talks
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Community discussions
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Youth programming
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And more!
Full list of programs - coming soon!