Service to others has been a part of my life from a young age. I remember waking up on Saturday mornings and getting ready for a trip to my church’s food pantry. My mom and I would look through our kitchen pantry to gather canned goods, beans, and uncooked rice bags. Once we had enough, we’d neatly pack all the items in big brown paper bags – the ones leftover from grocery shopping – and then head to the food pantry to drop them off. Some Saturdays, we’d stay and help organize the shelves. The volunteers who staffed the pantry were fellow church members, and they were always so joyous and grateful to receive our donations.

During my senior year of high school, I signed up to participate in a mission trip to Mexico. On the trip, we would build a small home for a family and share our experiences about the love of God. This was another opportunity to give, which was made possible through the church ministry. 

In my 20s, I continued to seek out opportunities to be philanthropic. Like most young adults trying to find their way after college, I didn’t have much (or any) money to give away, but I had time to give. I got involved with service-based organizations like Hashtag Lunchbag, Higher Achievement, and Young, Black, & Giving Back. No matter what was happening in my personal life, I always felt energized and grounded after participating in a service opportunity. 

Fast-forward a few years. I woke up one day and found myself with a load of real responsibilities. Now, as a wife, mom, and homeowner with a senior-level career, all that free time I used to have was nowhere to be found. While I was quite busy managing all of life’s demands (and raising millions in my professional roles), I still felt a lack of philanthropic purpose and fulfillment in some ways. I missed direct service to others. I missed giving in a way that felt genuinely impactful and core to my identity. 

As I mentioned in my last blog, Family. Philanthropy. Freedom, I am excited about getting back to serving others. Many times when we hear the word, philanthropy, we think of financial donations, but did you know that philanthropy encompasses so much more? People can give of their time, their talents, or their treasures. 

In this new season, I’m stepping up my philanthropy game and making a return to service with a few of my favorite DC-area nonprofits:  

District Motherhued

District MotherHued is a nonprofit organization that supports and celebrates Black millennial mothers through service initiatives, prenatal and postpartum education and support, and social events. Along with other mothers in the community, I’ve volunteered to provide care kits to NICU clinics, help teachers set up their classrooms, and so much more. 

Young, Black, & Giving Back

Young, Black & Giving Back (YBGB) serves Black-led nonprofits and their leaders, with the mission to close the racial funding and capacity-building gap within institutional philanthropy. In 2023, I joined the YBGB Board of Directors and was later elected as its Treasurer. Using my nonprofit management and fundraising expertise, I advise on the organization’s financial sustainability strategies and practices. 

Higher Achievement 

Higher Achievement supports middle school students, providing them with caring mentor relationships and academic tutoring to boost graduation rates and close the opportunity gap in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. I was initially introduced to Higher Achievement in 2010, where I volunteered to mentor three middle school students. Fifteen years later, I’m excited to serve on the 50th Anniversary Committee and help Higher Achievement honor 50 years of significant impact in the DC metropolitan area. 

Service to others has been a part of my life from a young age. As my life consistently evolves and priorities shift, I know that philanthropy and service to others will always have its place. Some years, my philanthropy will be rooted in donation of my time and talent, and in other years – when I have less capacity – it may simply be a financial gift. What matters most is that I (we) always choose to give… that we always return to service.