Shows
The Giving Black PodcastBlack Philanthropy Month: Sankofa - Remember. Reclaim. Rise.August 1, 2025 marks Emancipation Day and the beginning of Black Philanthropy Month. We begin this important season with a special podcast series dedicated to pioneering people engaged in building on the rich culture and deep heritage of Black philanthropy. Our Sankofa Series pays deference to the Akan people of Ghana, West Africa, who encourage us to learn from the past to build a better future - going forward without leaving anybody behind.Kicking off this special series of conversations, this episode features Floyd Jones, Chair of Black Philanthropy Month, founder o...2025-08-0123 min
The Giving Black PodcastAngry Black MenOn this episode of The Giving Black Podcast, we explore a powerful topic that cuts to the core of identity, emotion, and stereotype.Inspired by Claudio E. Cabrera’s article for The Athletic, “Draymond Green said what many Black people feel. But then he missed the point,” we dig into the layered meaning behind the label of the “Angry Black Man.” The article reflects on NBA champion Draymond Green’s statement about a perceived agenda to portray him as such—and whether that reflects reality, stereotype, or something in between.2025-07-211h 01
The Giving Black Podcast...And...We're Back...!"Good Morning, Good Afternoon and Good Evening Giving Black Family, Wherever In The World You Are." I have missed speaking those words! In 2023 we produced 13 Episodes in Series One of The Giving Black Podcast. In 2024, we made one Special recording. Half way through 2025, I am sharing my first Giving Black podcast in almost a year!Sometimes our own thoughts play a role in inhibiting our potential. Knowing that our current global and political climate calls for more debate and discussion about Black philanthropy. I share how I overcame some of my own self-inflicted b...2025-07-1720 min
The Giving Black PodcastSpecial Giving Black Conference 2024 Edition: The Reason Why There's Joy on My FaceWelcome Back, Giving Black Family! In this special Emancipation Day and Black Philanthropy Month edition of The Giving Black Podcast, I interview my friend, brother and mentor, Ray Williams. I have known Ray for as long as I have lived in Canada (16 years). We speak about the recipe for success of the Black Opportunity Fund (BOF), the organization that Ray co-founded and currently chairs. BOF is a social innovation established to increase the flows of revenue into Black-led, Black-serving, and Black-focused (B3) organizations. Our conversation returns to a single theme, food as philanthropy. Ray and I bo...2024-07-2953 min
The Giving Black PodcastEpisode 12: You Always Have To Put Something Back In The CommunitySince we launched The Giving Black Podcast in August 2023, members of The Giving Black Family are accustomed to me sharing how each Episode is very special and a must-listen. I always give one reason or another for why you should listen. Most times I share how the podcast explains the varying ways that generosity is manifest in the global Black community. This Episode is our 12th and final recording for Season One of The Giving Black Podcast. It is absolutely special, and it is a must-listen! Today, Giving Black Family, I am proud...2023-10-0544 min
Untapped PhilanthropyHealing, Reconciliation, and Action: Lessons from Mide Akerewusi's JourneyGuest: Olumide (Mide) Akerewusi Olumide (Mide) Akerewusi talks to Tim about the Giving Black Conference and the dynamic of Black philanthropy as it relates to the larger philanthropic sector. They also discuss the events within the AFP Toronto Chapter and the lessons that need to be learned to move forward as a community.To learn more about Mide, vist AgentsC Inc.Additional resources:Us and Them - Nneka AllenGiving Black ConferenceCollecting Courage: Joy, Pain, Freedom, Love—Anti-Black Racism in the Charitable SectorTo...2023-09-2849 min
Confessions with Jess and CindyThe Costs and Rewards of Activism as a Business Owner with Olumide Akerewusi"As much as I know the market has embraced AgentsC, I also believe that there are some organizations, because of the makeup of AgentsC and because of the activism of its founder and CEO, kind of make a choice not to work with or partner or invite us to support their work. But I also just celebrate those who have partnered with us and come to us and sought our help and expertise. And that's where I put the lens." - Olumide AkerewusiMide Akerewusi, founder of AgentsC, joined us for an inspiring conversation about courage...2023-09-2847 min
The Giving Black PodcastEpisode 11: We Have To Move Out To Move UpThe Giving Black Conference, is scheduled for August 10, 2023, at 9:30am-11:30am (EST). The theme of this year's conference is, Advancing Belonging. It's a subject that underpins Black philanthropy and affects those who seek to create social impact. On this episode of The Giving Black Podcast, we introduce an open mic for the first time. I invite The Giving Black Virtual Conference speakers to pop-in and share a few thoughts about belonging. I am joined by four guests. As me and my guests share our perspectives, the conversation gets deep into our personal experiences. Before long, Queen...2023-07-2544 min
The Giving Black PodcastEpisode 10: We Want To Build Critical Thinkers!In this episode of the Giving Black Podcast, we celebrate International Men's Health Week (June 12-18, 2023) and Father's Day (June 20th, 2023). Our guest, Owen Thomas, is Managing Director of Future Men; a multi-award winning charity founded in 1988. Future Men supports boys and men along the path to becoming dynamic future men, whilst addressing the stereotypes around masculinity and what it means to be a man. Owen is himself a father to three young women. He has more than 15 years extensive experience working closely with fathers, male carers, boys and men at crucial stages of their li...2023-06-1055 min
The Giving Black PodcastEpisode Nine: Understanding African PhilanthropyDr. Keratiloe Mogotsi is Programme Director of Executive Education at Witwatersrand’s (Wits) Business School, Johannesburg. She is also a lecturer on African Philanthropy at the University. As a pracademic, researcher, Lean Six Sigma coach, project management professional (PMP), Dr. Mogotsi holds a Ph.D. in African Philanthropy. Her research areas include disaster philanthropy, venture philanthropy, African philanthropy and philanthro-capitalism in Africa.Dr. Mogotsi's passion for philanthropy struck me the very first time we met. As I was conducting research for The Duality of Giving in 2019, she gave her time t...2023-05-2147 min
The Giving Black PodcastEpisode Eight: What You Are Looking For Finds YouI love to meet people whose stories of philanthropy span the decades! Motunrayo Olaogun is one such person. Motunrayo works for the Christian Dior fashion label. She is a philanthropist, and was an entrepreneur, founding the Ayo Van Elmar. fashion label which is no longer operational.Gifted with incredible knowledge, Motunrayo was 10 years of age when she helped kids in her neighbourhood with their homework. This quickly grew into a passion to provide clothing and school uniforms for children whose families simply could not afford these items. In this Episode of the Giving Blac...2023-04-1638 min
The Giving Black PodcastEpisode Six (Part 2): Boards And Black Tokenism - What It Really Means To BelongWelcome to Part 2 of Boards And Black Tokenism - What It Really Means To Belong. In Part 1, our guests and I tell the jarring story of how we were recruited to a board as token Black members, and quickly discovered that as board members, we were not, and would never be, treated as equals. Here in Part 2 we specify the concrete actions that people and organisations should take to deal with, and avoid, Black tokenism. Continue the conversation with Mide Akerewusi, Nneka Allen, CFRE, COC, PCC, Founder of The Empathy Agency...2023-02-2135 min
The Giving Black PodcastEpisode Six (Part 1): Boards And Black Tokenism - What It Really Means To BelongBelonging is “the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of something and standing alone in the wilderness. True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are.” (Brown, 2021)In this episode of the Giving Black Podcast I am joined by two of my dearest sister-friends Nneka Allen, CFRE, COC, PCC, Founder of The Empathy Agency and Múthoní Karíukí HBSc, MPNL, CFRE. We tell...2023-02-1648 min
The Giving Black PodcastEpisode Seven: Why You Should Listen To The Giving Black PodcastThe Giving Black podcast is the world's first podcast dedicated to conversations about global Black philanthropy.Through the podcast, we interview guests from across the world who have amazing stories to tell about their experiences of generosity and giving. Hosted by Olumide (Mide) Akerewusi, Founder and CEO of AgentsC Inc., fundraiser, philanthropist, and social justice advocate; we explore the many ways that Black people are engaged in community building, partnership working, and social impact through everyday acts of Ubuntu. In this episode, Mide shares his story about becoming a fundraiser in the UK and Canada. H...2023-01-2926 min
The Giving Black PodcastEpisode Five: Black Tax - Hate It Or Love It?In this episode of the Giving Black Podcast, we focus on one of the most contentious aspects of African Philanthropy; the concept of Black Tax - an emerging practice affecting Africa's rising middle-class. Black tax is the term given to the act of supporting one's friends and family through obligation and/or entitlement. It is an extension of traditional forms of philanthropy where Family Begins at Home. At Once Black Tax is a historic reminder of one's tradition of giving, and simultaneously it is an onerous burden threatening to hold back economic progress and wealth creation. Many Africans are in...2022-12-1954 min
The Giving Black PodcastEpisode Four: Greg Mckenzie - Anything Is Possible When You Believe In It!We are excited to host Greg McKenzie, one of the UK’s most trusted and prominent news correspondents and documentary film makers. Greg built a successful career as a broadcast journalist at the BBC. In 2022 Greg decided to follow his philanthropic passion - he set up a pioneering social enterprise - the Inside Out Project.He now works full-time as the founder of the Inside Out clothing company and social enterprise project. Inside Out is the UK's first clothing brand created, designed and hand produced by young people exiting the criminal justice system. Inside Out's main mission is to...2022-11-1634 min
The Giving Black PodcastEpisode Three: Jerome Tennille - Use Your Influence to Better Your CommunityThis episode features Jerome Tennille, Director of Social Impact and ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) at The Uplift Agency. Jerome and I speak about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its role in strengthening Black communities.We also talk about the need to decolonize corporate grantmaking policies so they become more inclusive of Black decision-makers. Central to our conversation is the responsibility of Black businesses to implement CSR strategies, discussing how to use our influence to better our communities. 2022-10-0950 min
The Giving Black PodcastEpisode Two: Rt. Hon. Madame Michaëlle Jean - An Activist in Rideau HallThis is the second episode of The Giving Black Podcast. It continues the conversation with Canada's highest profile Black Philanthropist, the Rt. Hon. Madame Michaëlle Jean. Madame Jean is Canada's 27th Governor General and the first Black woman (person) to fill the role. She is a proud descendent of Haitian-African slaves, and along with her husband Jean Daniel Lafond, co-founded the Michaëlle Jean Foundation, to promote youth advocacy through the arts, social impact, and entrepreneurship.In part two: An Activist in Rideau Hall, Madame Jean speaks about the important work of the F...2022-09-1342 min
The Giving Black PodcastEpisode One: Rt. Hon. Madame Michaëlle Jean - Indifference Cannot Be An OptionThe first episode of The Giving Black Podcast kicks off with Canada's highest profile Black Philanthropist, the Rt. Hon. Madame Michaëlle Jean. Madame Jean is Canada's 27th Governor General and the first Black woman (person) to fill the role. She is a proud descendent of Haitian-African slaves, and along with her husband Jean Daniel Lafond, co-founded the Michaëlle Jean Foundation, to promote youth advocacy through the arts, social impact, and entrepreneurship.Dear listeners, we could not have asked for a more prestigious first guest than Madame Jean. She embodies all of the elements of...2022-08-0734 min