White chic was the chosen attire as the Cleveland Foundation hosted the Divine Nine during an event at the Foundation’s headquarters on E. 66th and Euclid Avenue on Aug. 22.
The Divine Nine is a group of Black sororities and fraternities in Greater Cleveland that have formed a partnership. Through the partnership, the Foundation has set aside funds for each of them to use as needed to further their commitment to helping communities.
“So, we are creating a whole new opportunity with the Divine Nine,” said Terri Eason, senior director of philanthropy initiatives at the Cleveland Foundation. “They have partnered with the Cleveland Foundation, where we’ll serve as a philanthropic resource. Additionally, providing them with an opportunity to understand how we can support them as they implement their various initiatives. We have had relationships with some of the Divine Nine over the years, but as we look at making more of an intentional impact, we decided to proactively reach out to each group to establish bonds. And provide insight on how we can really serve as a partner.”
According to Eason, the Cleveland Foundation is the first foundation of its kind to establish partnerships with each of the local fraternities and sororities in the city. What made this kick-off special was that August was Black Philanthropy Month, she said.
Partnerships like this were a vision of the late Steven Minter, former president and CEO of the Foundation, when he founded the African American Philanthropy Committee, an advisory committee, in 1993. The goal was to help inform, educate and engage the Divine Nine and the community at large.
“My father had an idea to center Black voices in philanthropy, to elevate Black-led giving, and to build a platform for lasting impact,” said Robyn Minter Smyers, chair of the African American Philanthropy Committee. “Through this idea, the AAPC was born. I am so proud to be the chair of the committee today and to serve with many community leaders.”
Orlando Grant has been a member of the local Beta Lambda Omega fraternity for 30 years. Recently, he was elected as the 24th international president of the fraternity. The organization was founded in 1963 at Morgan State College in Baltimore. They are now 75,000 strong with chapters in 40 of the 50 states, and several overseas chapters, including one in Japan.
“A few years ago, Terri Eason approached us, suggesting we should start a fund here,” he said. “I started thinking, we don’t have $100,000 to invest. After finding out we only needed $10,000, we decided to do something that not only could create a pathway for our individual chapter, but also a pathway for us to be able to provide extra support in the community. We gave a house away in the Mount Pleasant community recently. We identified a family in partnership with the City Mission. It was a single mom with three young boys who were the recipients.”
A familiar face popped up at the event in the person of former Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Daniel “Boobie” Gibson. His days on the court ended in 2015, now he’s channeling that same passion into making a difference in the lives of young people in Richmond Heights, and elsewhere, as the newly appointed associate coach of the Richmond Heights Boys Basketball Program.
“Recently, Richmond Heights High School took on my mentorship program, and through that, the Foundation found out about my work,” he said. “Now, we are working on forming a partnership. So, we’re trying to find people interested to join and work together to build something impactful.”
As the event was coming to an end, Smyers was set to make a much-anticipated announcement.
“I am excited to announce our next chapter will include a new name that exemplifies our catalytic and enduring impact: “The Black Philanthropy Center at the Cleveland Foundation,” she said. “The center will honor its legacy and step boldly into the future. It aligns with the foundation’s vision and positions Cleveland as a national model for what Black philanthropy can achieve.”
Additional announcements on the new Black Philanthropy Center at the Cleveland Foundation are expected in the spring.
Keep our local journalism accessible to all
Reader support is crucial as we continue to shed light on underreported neighborhoods in Cleveland. Will you become a monthly member to help us continue to produce news by, for, and with the community?
P.S. Did you like this story? Take our reader survey!
