The African American Philanthropy Committee supports the Cleveland Foundation’s mission 

The African American Philanthropy Committee of the Cleveland Foundation is hosting a unique event to educate, encourage, and inspire philanthropy in the African American community, and to create lasting gifts for future generations.

“Giving Circles – The Gift of Giving,” is the theme of the half-day African American Philanthropy Summit on this Saturday, April 21, 2012, at Cuyahoga Community College’s Corporate College East, 4400 Richmond Road in Warrensville Heights. Leading financial specialists will deliver sessions for individuals, young adults, member organizations, churches, and businesses. Registration is $40 for adults, $20 for youth (ages 16 to 25), and $25 for the luncheon keynote session only. The summit will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

National financial expert Glinda Bridgforth, owner of Bridgforth Financial & Associates, LLC of Detroit, Mich., will present the luncheon keynote address. Bridgforth is a noted financial consultant, author, and lecturer who explores the emotional and cultural factors that block financial success. She was one of the featured coaches on Oprah’s popular, six-part series, “America’s Debt Diet.”

The opening session will be presented by leading professionals in black philanthropy: Darryl  Lester, owner of HindSight Consulting and an expert in the field of giving circles; and Valaida Fullwood,  philanthropy consultant and author of “Giving Back: A Tribute to Generations of African American Philanthropists.”

Additional Summit facilitators include Michele Minter, Vice Provost for Institutional Equity & Diversity at Princeton University and Ruth Peebles, President and Founder of the INS Group. Three concurrent workshops will also be featured with specific information on giving circles for families and friends, organizations, and young adults to help attendees gain a better understanding of the power of growth, preservation, and the efficient transfer of wealth for charitable purposes.

Serving as honorary chairpersons for the summit are:

• Inajo Chappell, Esq., partner, Ulmer & Berne
• Margot Copeland, executive vice president, KeyBank, and chair, KeyBank Foundation
• Steven Minter, executive in residence, Cleveland State University

“Our goal is to inform participants about the power, impact, and mechanics of giving circles as vehicles for collective saving and gifting for charitable causes,” said Terri B. Eason, director of Gift Planning for the Cleveland Foundation.

The African American Philanthropy Summit is being presented with generous support from: E. F. Boyd & Son, Bracy Lewis, Calfee Halter & Griswold LLP, Charter One, Dominion, Fairfax Place, FirstMerit Wealth Management, Huntington Bank, Improve Consulting and Training Group, Kaiser Permanente, KeyBank, Maria E. Quinn Co., L.P.A., Medical Mutual, Stratos Wealth Partners, Thompson Hine, Visiting Angels Senior Homecare, University Circle Incorporated, Ulmer & Berne LLP and University Hospitals.

The African American Philanthropy Committee supports the Cleveland Foundation’s mission by promoting awareness and education to African Americans about the benefits of wealth and community preservation through philanthropy.

To register or for more information on the summit, visit www.clevelandfoundation.org or www.2012philsummit.eventbrite.com or call 1-877-554-5054.