The document summarizes Paulette Pierre's experience attending an event held by the Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy organization. The annual event honors individuals who have promoted inclusiveness in philanthropy. This year's recipient was Amina Dickerson. In her speech, Dickerson reflected on being one of few African Americans in the field early in her career and the isolation she felt from lack of mentors. She emphasized the progress made but more work needed to increase diversity and mentor future generations of minorities in philanthropy through open discussion.

1. April 30, 2009
An Evening of Diversity
Recently I had the pleasure of attending an event held annually by a local philanthropic
organization-Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy (CAAIP). The organization, a
professional development group, brings together like-minded individuals from private and
corporate foundations for meetings and networking to further the dialogue on diversity in our
field. The organization also offers students of color scholarships to explore careers in
philanthropy. I discovered the group a few years ago as I was forging my path and have been a
member ever since.
The annual event, the Handy L. Lindsey Jr. Award & Lecture on Inclusiveness in Philanthropy,
each year honors an individual whose leadership and commitment to inclusiveness has helped
maintain a public conversation on the importance on diversity in the philanthropy field. Past
recipients have included Anne Roosevelt (Boeing), Aurie Pennick (The Field Foundation of
Illinois and my current Executive Director) and Nicholas Goodban (former VP of Philanthropy
at the McCormick Foundation). This year’s honoree was Amina Dickerson, former Senior
Director of Global Community Involvement at Kraft Foods.
Even though the awards ceremony is only in its sixth year it is no less significant in its meaning.
Amina’s speech was self-deprecating, enlightening and emotional. She recounted her early days
in the nonprofit and philanthropy field being only one of a handful (if that many) of African
Americans practicing the craft. She reflected on the isolation she felt and lack of mentors that
existed at the time. During her speech I looked around the auditorium at the more than 200
attendees—a truly inspiring sight when you realize some of country’s most prestigious
foundations and corporations were represented by these individuals of color. I listened as Amina
spoke of how far the field of philanthropy has come in terms of diversity but the job is far from
complete. We must continue to work toward mentoring and shepherding the next generation of
individuals of color into the philanthropy field. By maintaining the public conversation and
keeping the issue at the forefront is the only way to truly level the playing field.
In a perfect conclusion to a stirring speech, Amina quoted Hannibal by saying: “We will either
find a way or we will make one.” Indeed.
Paulette Pierre is a Program Officer intern at The Field Foundation of Illinois. She has a
graduate certificate in Non-Profit Management and Philanthropy from Loyola University and is
currently pursuing her MA in Interdisciplinary Studies at DePaul University