This past August, in recognition of Black Philanthropy Month and the global call to honor the theme of Sankofa — a West African principle that urges us to “go back and get it” — we proudly welcomed the next class of Gamechangers: Black philanthropic leaders and bold collaborators shaping the future through innovation, generosity, and trust.

Tell us your story. (Your journey, your work, or what brought you to where you are today.)

My journey has really been about living every day with purpose. I try to live in the values I was taught growing up, which are hard work, honesty, and doing what you are meant to do. I think life is one step forward at a time. Some days you might get to take five or six steps forward, and other days you take a few backward. But the point is to stay strong, stay resilient, and stay with it. That is what my journey has been.

Name a person, tradition, or community value from your past that guides how you give or serve today.

I always go back to my parents, my mother Melissa Carr and my father Edward Carr. My father drove a bus in Detroit for nearly 40 years. My mother worked in a department store as clerical staff. They both taught us the value of hard work and the importance of giving back.

And I have to mention the street I grew up on, Taylor Street in Detroit. That community shaped me. Just last week I was home for the service of my second mom, Bessie Hall, who lived at the other end of the street. That neighborhood always set a table for us as young people, especially for young girls becoming young women. My parents, the street they chose, and the neighbors who cared for us are the foundation of how I give today.

Sankofa teaches us to look back so we can move forward. If you could speak to your younger self or to future generations of Black gamechangers, what lesson or moment from your past would you share?

Honestly, I am not sure my younger self would have listened, because most of us do not. But to the young women I meet today, many of whom have become my little friends, I always say to stay in your purpose. Stay true to who you are. You will fall down, but you will get back up, and getting back up might feel hard, but it makes you stronger.

I encourage them to be honest, to be true to what they believe in, to stand up for it, and to be good advocates for themselves and for others. Just keep pushing forward and stay rooted in who you are.

The parable of the talents teaches us to grow and share what we’ve been given. How have you used your gifts — whether time, talent, or resources — to make an impact in your community?

I hope I live in a way that lets me share generously, whether that is the traditional sense of philanthropy through dollars when I can, or through my experiences and my time. I have been in a lot of different rooms, whether work spaces, family spaces, boardrooms, or community spaces. If I can share what I have learned, what I have seen, or what I have lived, then maybe someone else can walk into a room with a little more confidence or understanding because they heard part of my story. That is the gift I try to give.

How have you seen Black generosity and community investment show up in ways that might not always be recognized as philanthropy?

I think the challenge is the word philanthropy itself. People hear it and think only about money, and usually only certain people giving large dollars. But philanthropy is so much more than that.

When I say I will show up, I show up. When I give my time, my resources, my energy, my brilliance, my excellence, that is philanthropy. Serving on boards and helping strengthen organizations through that service is philanthropy. Helping in your community in any way is philanthropy.

We have to talk about philanthropy more holistically. When we do, we realize so many people are giving back every single day. There are philanthropists everywhere.

How do you define “being a Gamechanger” in collaborative efforts or philanthropy?

I do not know that I would call myself a Gamechanger, but I am honored that the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee sees me that way. I try to live authentically, give back, and honor what my parents and my community taught me.

It is part of my family’s legacy to serve and to uplift others. I hope I am doing that well. And I hope my children and younger people watching see that giving back is not a burden, but a gift. If people see that and call me a Gamechanger because of it, then I am grateful to be seen that way.

What wisdom or encouragement would you share with someone in Nashville who’s just beginning their journey here locally as a philanthropist or community leader?

Go do what you believe in. Be an advocate. Stand up for what matters to you and stand in for people who need someone to stand in for them.

Do not be afraid. Be courageous, be honest, and acknowledge the role you are stepping into. And truly, I believe everyone is a philanthropist. We just do not say it enough.

What are you curious about, excited to see unfold, and/or looking forward to initiating over the next year?

I am excited about what is happening at the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. The foundation is growing, and we are spending more time intentionally understanding the needs of our communities and finding ways to meet those needs through philanthropy.

Those two things, community needs and philanthropy, have not always intersected the way we wished. Right now there is real intentionality behind both. I am looking forward to seeing how this work makes our communities stronger and better.

Black Philanthropy Month: Sankofa Now!

The past holds the key to our future. As we navigate growing challenges, we must draw strength from those who came before us. For this year’s Black Philanthropy Month recognition, we must:

• Remember our philanthropic roots, built on collective care and community-driven investment. 
• Reclaim our power to shape the future, ensuring Black-led change is not just recognized but sustained.
• Rise by reinvesting in our people, our movements, and our solutions, because the future of Black philanthropy (and all humanity) depends on what we do today.

A thriving Black community benefits everyone. The fight for equity, opportunity, and justice strengthens our collective future, creating a world where all can prosper. Black philanthropy has always been a catalyst for change. In a time when progress is at risk, we need all hands on deck.