Spring Greetings, Friends of Open Horizon,
May this post find you all well on this holy week for many. I joined Open Horizon as Executive Director on March 20, equinox.

A moment of transition of seasons, for my career, and for the growing foundation. I think most folx desire purpose-driven lives and in major moments of transition, it’s powerful to reflect on the truest nature of our gifts and how we share them with ourselves, our communities, and our world. When I was a little girl, I was a social justice advocate at an early age. I wanted to change the world and make it “fair” for Black people, and especially girls. I reflect that this was fed by my love for my mother and my realizing her struggle.

My mom was the church secretary for the oldest Black Baptist church in all of New England, a fact she was proud to tell people. She made less than the poverty level when I was growing up, and yet consistently found creative ways to access resources to expand opportunities available to my sister and me. She would share that she wanted us to have what she didn’t have. Many of us may have similar stories. Our parents talked about what they didn’t have to be sure we were grateful and aware of our privilege. My mom also had joy in her ability to give us the things she didn’t have. And even more joy when she saw my sister and I multiply those things and affirm their abundance.

My mom was the first philanthropist I knew. I’ve heard this mirrored by peer leaders who I’ve asked what led them to this work- specifically sisters, fellow BIPOC women who are Executive Directors of nonprofit organizations. She would say she didn’t have much, but nonetheless, she gave faithfully. Malinda was a woman of God; she was a humble servant as a church secretary who earned just enough to get by. She was that church lady who drove seniors to the grocery store or appointments if they needed. She helped in the pantry and other ministries, and she stayed late on the 3rd Sunday to help count the offerings. She was consistent in giving her tithes and offerings, even when times were the hardest at home. She had faith and was grateful that she could give.

Reading through my mom‘s gratitude journals, where she noted at least 5 things daily, she was most grateful for the kindness and generosity of the people that surrounded us, our church family, and having our basic needs met. We lived “paycheck to paycheck,” terminology I knew at a very young age and she noted we could not have made it without the blessing of the surprise $50 here, $20 there from church friends and elders. My mom also wrote gratitude for the many organizations that intervened and offered opportunities for my sister and myself. My mother always had to contribute something, and this was above and beyond affording our basic needs that she always calculated so diligently to manage. I reflect with gratitude for her consistency. This was love in action. Philanthropy can be love in action. So since my mother was the first philanthropist I knew, I want to do it like her, adding lessons of healing justice lineages infused in my practice.

My purpose, while informed by her and molded in relationship with her, is distinct from hers, but grows from the same core values of interdependence and interconnectivity. She gave and was humble enough to receive. She practiced reciprocity. Her struggle is the origin of my experience, but her struggle is not my struggle; the world has changed and I have a different assignment than she did. My mom gave from her open heart and opened her heart to receive, acknowledging that we are responsible for each other and our survival is inextricably linked. I trust that Philanthropy can and should be about relationships.

My mother showed me how to both live interdependently and also maintain my independence as a Black woman in the US America. I look forward to honoring her by using my gifts to align with communities committed to healing pain, separation, and intergenerational trauma. I come with the vibrant memory of my mother. I come to this with the wisdom of ancestors known and unknown that inform the steps I take. And I come to this with compassion, love and a beginner’s mind.