For Immediate Release:April 18, 2005
Contact: Kerrenda Crandol, 463-5013
CELEBRATION OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN PHILANTROPHY
MORRISVILLE-- The Hayti Heritage Center was the scene of the 2005 African-American Leadership Initiative (AALI) Celebration of African-American Philanthropy. The appreciation reception honored the generosity of AALI members who impact our region though their support of Triangle United Way. There could not have been a more fitting location to honor African-Americans who enrich the Triangle community through volunteer involvement and donor support, than at a center established to promote "the understanding of, and appreciation for the African-American experience and African-American contributions to world culture."
Frances Dyer, 2004-2005 AALI Co-Chair, delivered the welcome before Craig Chancellor, President and CEO of Triangle United Way, addressed the crowd to praise them for an outstanding year. With Dyer and Stewart at the helm, the Clement Society grew to include 171 members and raised $193,000 for the Triangle United Way agencies and programs in Durham, Orange and Wake counties. Representatives from sponsoring companies, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, St. Joseph's Historic Foundation and North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company, also spoke at the event. Dyer and James A. Stewart were recognized for the exceptional year they had as co-chairs. The evening concluded with a dance performance by the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Company.
When AALI was first launched in 1999, it was done as a pilot program only in Durham County. Thanks to many successful years there, last year it was introduced in Orange and Wake Counties. The 2004 Steering Committee included leaders from each county: Durham County: Lori Jones-Gibbs and Kenneth D. Gibbs; Orange County: Senator Howard Lee & Lillian Lee, Tara L. Fikes, Brenda Stephens; Wake County: Dan & Edna Earle Blue and Kaye Webb.
The AALI giving society is named after William and Josephine Clement. The late Clements were key trailblazers whose civic leadership and philanthropic support made a difference in Durham County's African- American community. Historically, the Clement Society was comprised of individuals contributing $500 or more annually to Triangle United Way, but the amount will increase to $1, 200 in the 2005 Campaign. Established in the spirit of enriching the Triangle with community awareness, volunteer involvement and donor support, AALI engages African-Americans in donating to the United Way to make the greatest impact on their community through volunteerism and philanthropy opportunities throughout the year.
For more information on becoming an AALI member, contact Virginia Ricks at (919) 463-5028 or vricks@unitedwaytriangle.org. You can also read about the program online at www.unitedwaytriangle.org.
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