The Giving Black Podcast

Olumide Akerewusi

The Giving Black Podcast promotes Black philanthropy and spotlights generosity in all its forms in the global Black community.  Listen to interviews that honour the culture and tradition of giving among Black people from the African continent, to the Caribbean, Europe, the Americas and across the globe. I am your host, Olumide Akerewusi. Here's a bit about me: I am Founder and CEO of agentsC Inc., an international company delivering fundraising, philanthropy, and social change solutions to organizations across the world.  I've spent 30 years working with major philanthropists, corporations, and grant-making foundations as well as charities to grow their impact. I am also a Black philanthropist.  I hope you enjoy this podcast, which will serve as an archive of wonderful and inspiring stories about Black generosity. You can learn more about Giving Black by visiting our website at: www.givingblack.ca.  Philanthropy Is The Heartbeat Of The World!

  1. Michelle Renée Jackson's Inspiring Journey

    MAY 14

    Michelle Renée Jackson's Inspiring Journey

    At Giving Black, we say that "philanthropy is the heartbeat of the world". A conversation with Michelle Renée Jackson made me feel those words more deeply than ever. Michelle Renée Jackson is a frank, fearless, and deeply inspiring woman. She is the founder of Simuel + Murray. She is a filmmaker, artist, fundraiser, and host of the Black Philanthropy: Our Stories podcast. Throughout her work, Michelle tells the stories of Black people, Black generosity, and Black community with honesty and grace. Our conversation begins where many great stories do, with a life redirected towards our true passions. While studying for her Masters in Divinity at Harvard University, Michelle discovered that ministry was not her calling. Like many in our generation, she fell into fundraising backwards. What followed was a journey of reclaiming purpose, pursuing new dreams, and finding the courage to follow her heart, even when it unsettled her. In this conversation we talk about what happens when perceived purpose gives way to real purpose. How to settle. How to find direction again. How to dare to dream. Michelle States: The person who knows anything knows they don't know anything. Michelle Renée Jackson knows a great deal, and she is generous enough to share it all. Our conversation moves into territory that felt as natural as two friends making sense of their realities together. We explore the war on DEI and its devastating impact on Black communities. We ask hard questions; is there a meaningful distinction between Black philanthropy and Afrocentric philanthropy among Black immigrant communities? Is there an imperative for Black philanthropy to support Black causes, or is that an unreasonable expectation? We speak, we listen, we learn, and we reshape our understanding together. That is the true essence of dialogue, and that is what makes this conversation one I know I will return to over and over again!

    1h 23m
  2. Dr. Ryan J. Smith: St. Joseph Centre Celebrating 50 Years

    APR 26

    Dr. Ryan J. Smith: St. Joseph Centre Celebrating 50 Years

    This is an important conversation about the power of beloved community, as dreamt by Dr. Martin Luther King.  Dr. Ryan J. Smith, President & CEO of St. Joseph Center in Los Angeles, shares a deeply personal and transformative journey, from experiencing homelessness to becoming a leading voice in community-based care and philanthropy. A native Angeleno, Dr. Smith introduces the powerful idea of “Linked Faith,” the belief that our shared humanity binds us together and calls us to uplift one another. For 50 years, St. Joseph Center has empowered working-poor families and individuals experiencing homelessness to achieve stability and self-sufficiency. Each year, the organization serves nearly 15,000 people through the commitment of almost 300 staff members and more than 400 volunteers, helping individuals rebuild their lives and move toward healthier, more secure futures. Dr. Smith reflects on how collaboration between local government, community partners, and St. Joseph Center have contributed to a nearly 25% reduction in housing insecurity across Los Angeles. With the city now housing approximately 200 people per day, he emphasises  what’s possible, when we commit ourselves to loving our neighbours, actioning sustained commitment, and committing to coordinated action. Dr. Smith and I trace the organization’s remarkable journey from its founding by two Catholic Sisters to its present-day role as a cornerstone of community support across Los Angeles. Guided by its core pillars: H.O.M.E (Housing, Outreach, Mental Health, and Economic Mobility), St. Joseph Center continues to expand its impact.  Touching on the  philanthropy of the Black church, foundations, and individuals, Dr. Smith speaks about challenging the role of conventional philanthropy to step up for Black-led organizations. We reflect on the importance of storytelling among lived-experts, upholding the dignity of all people in community, and the power of beloved community.  This episode is both inspiring and thought-provoking, offering listeners a compelling look at what it means to serve with purpose, compassion, and vision. Celebrate St. Joseph Center’s 50th anniversary and support their mission by making a donation today. Contact Dr. Ryan. J. Smith: rsmith@stjosephctr.org

    47 min

  3. APR 19

    Happy Black Men! Curtis Carmichael, Joe Williams, and Olumide Akerewusi

    Season 2 Episode 2 of The Giving Black Podcast was entitled Angry Black Men. In this conversation Curtis Carmichael, author, educator, tech social entrepreneur, and community activist, and Joe Williams Managing Director of the Skills Trade Development Program at the Oaks Revitalization Association, plus yours truly spoke about the common stereotypes that we deal with.  We promised to return to a conversation about the things that bring us joy—and here we are. In this episode, we explore the essence of Black male joy: where it comes from, what sustains it, and how it evolves. Drawing on 2023 research from the Pew Research Center which highlights family, faith, and travel as key sources of joy among Black Americans, we ask: is that the full story for us a Black immigrant men in Canada? Through a candid and engaging conversation, we reflect on our own lived experiences and uncover how joy is deeply tied to identity, purpose, and what it means to be a man today. Tune in to hear what brings joy to the three Black men behind this podcast, and consider where your own joy lives. Brooklyn Stroll Club Contagious (STEPS) Rest is Resistance

    44 min

  4. APR 5

    Olumide Akerewusi: How and Why I Became a Fundraiser

    In this Episode of The Giving Black Podcast, you host Olumide Akerewusi explains how he entered into fundraising as a career and what he has learned about generosity along the way. This podcast is about the importance of using ones voice to speak out against injustice and overcoming hardship with a determination to do good. The podcast is also available on video: https://youtu.be/a-1T2IhsQ_U?si=DhJ6xdTpQ5WPyRiz

    30 min
  5. The Producers Gleaux and Tell Series: Betting on Ourselves - Building Empires, Co-creating the Future, and Transforming Criticism Into Fuel. Dorian Spears.

    APR 5

    The Producers Gleaux and Tell Series: Betting on Ourselves - Building Empires, Co-creating the Future, and Transforming Criticism Into Fuel. Dorian Spears.

    Hi Giving Black Family, We hope you enjoy this amazing episode of The Giving Black Podcast, with Queen Jade, your Host of The Producers Series: Gleaux & Tell.  In this episode, Queen Jade speaks with our friend and member of The Giving Black Family, Dorian Spears. Dorian appeared as a Spotlight Guest at The Giving Black Conference, 2024 where she spoke about the New Era of Black Philanthropy – Shaping the Future of Black Generosity. Dorian is an entrepreneur, strategist, and leader, building the empire of her dreams, known for her brilliance, and a bold commitment to creating a future rooted in equity and possibility. Dorian inspires us by consistently betting on herself, navigating work and life transitions, and redefining success on her own terms. In this conversation, Dorian and Queen Jade celebrate Black women’s power in shaping what comes next, especially during uncertain and unpredictable times. Curiosity, learning, and freely sharing knowledge are gifts that shape our legacy. Legacy isn’t what we leave behind, it’s what we give now. Queen Jade and Dorian explore what it means to move boldly toward the goals that matter. Raised in the South, Dorian learned how assumptions shape lives. Her travels across the U.S. and the world sharpened her ability to see humanity clearly while navigating life as a Black woman. After years of working with billionaire philanthropists and gathering their insights, she is now focused on building her own initiatives. She brings her gifts forward through powerful questions and collective action. Her inspiring quote to women: “You are the one you’ve been waiting for. Everything you need is already within you.”, leaves us with a powerful ethos to live by.

    46 min
  6. The Producers Gleaux and Tell Series: Empathy as Strategy - How Centering Empathy Unlocks Innovation, Equity, and Sustainable Impact. MIchael Tennant

    APR 5

    The Producers Gleaux and Tell Series: Empathy as Strategy - How Centering Empathy Unlocks Innovation, Equity, and Sustainable Impact. MIchael Tennant

    Hi Giving Black Family, We are glad to share another brilliant episode of The Giving Black Podcast, with Queen Jade, your Host of The Producers Series: Gleaux & Tell.  In this Episode, Queen Jade speaks with Michael Tennant, the founder of Curiosity Lab and creator of the card game Actually Curious™ and The Five Phases of Empathy™, an award-winning brand strategist, he has worked with P&G, Coca-Cola, Google, Oatly, and Delta, and has spoken on empathy at NASA, IDEO, Johns Hopkins, and Lincoln Financial Group. Michael is also the author of The Power of Empathy (named one of Inc.’s Best Business Books of 2024) and a contributing writer for Oprah Daily and Inc. Magazine. Through his frameworks, Michael helps teams build trust, uncover opportunities, and reframe challenges as roadmaps for innovation. This is a deep conversation about the importance of knowing ourselves, shifting power, reframing challenges, and building trust as the foundation for generational wealth. People who pride themselves on working hard often sacrifice their own well-being. Yet offering ourselves grace and meaningful self-care can sharpen our awareness of what is truly happening around us. As Michael notes, fundraising requires lowering our egos enough to really see and hear others. Michael shares his observation that there are genuine gaps in how philanthropy and fundraising pursue their missions and how they relate to the people they aim to support. We must take time to understand what sits behind the numbers, the hesitation, or the silence built into systems of counting and measuring fundraising and philanthropy. This is a conversation that all social change agents must listen to.

    49 min
  7. The Producers Gleaux and Tell Series: Jason Teeters - Rest as Resistance: Redesigning Leadership, Reclaiming Balance, and Reimagining the Systems that Shape Us.

    11/28/2025

    The Producers Gleaux and Tell Series: Jason Teeters - Rest as Resistance: Redesigning Leadership, Reclaiming Balance, and Reimagining the Systems that Shape Us.

    Giving Black Family, Thank you for listening to this episode of The Giving Black Podcast with Queen Jade, your Host of The Producers Series: Gleaux & Tell.  Queen Jade speaks with an inspiring Black social entrepreneur,  Jason Teeters. He's a visionary innovator, emergent strategist, and founder of Jet Set State (JSS) — a people-centered design company reimagining leadership for the modern world. Through his work, Jason helps organizations break silos, nurture creativity, and drive systemic change rooted in empathy and intention. His approach draws on principles of human-centered design, challenging leaders to decenter ego, honor interdependence, and build systems where rest and reflection are as vital as action. From boardrooms to grassroots initiatives, Jason’s work reminds us that innovation is born from stillness, and true leadership begins with self-restoration. Jason’s reminder is both simple and profound — that rest is design. It’s how we restore balance, resist systems that demand constant motion, and reclaim our right to breathe, build, and belong. The world will always ask for more. But we have the power to redefine what “enough” looks like — to lead from fullness, not fatigue. Queen Jade reminds us, Rest is Resistance. Stillness is strength. And in your quietest moments — you gleaux!

    58 min
  8. The Producers: Gleaux & Tell Series With Queen Jade

    11/17/2025

    The Producers: Gleaux & Tell Series With Queen Jade

    Giving Black Family It's the time of year when I find myself listening more intently to my body and my mind. Both of which are telling me it is time to take a break.  It has been a long and arduous six months that I have devoted to producing Series Two of The Giving Black Podcast, planning and delivering The Giving Conference, organizing The Giving Black Soirée, and researching and releasing the Fundraising While Black report. I am taking time to replenish. Rather than put away the podcast mic, as I have done in the past, I am passing it on. The very first person who came to my mind to receive the mic was, Queen Jade - a dear Sister-Friend, a dynamic social-entrepreneur, and an incredible advocate for Afrocentric philanthropy. Queen Jade first joined us in Series One, Episode 11 of The Giving Black Podcast and also co-hosted The Giving Black Conference in 2024. She's not a  stranger to Giving Black and most importantly, she has a lot to share about Black philanthropy. In this Episode of the Giving Black Podcast, Queen Jade speaks about coalescing within Black community, reminding us to value ourselves and each as a form of honouring our ancestors and their work in resisting oppression and seeking freedom.  Queen Jade and her guests will Gleaux & Tell about Black Philanthropy for the next three episodes of The Giving Black Podcast.

    17 min
See All (32)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Giving Black Podcast promotes Black philanthropy and spotlights generosity in all its forms in the global Black community.  Listen to interviews that honour the culture and tradition of giving among Black people from the African continent, to the Caribbean, Europe, the Americas and across the globe. I am your host, Olumide Akerewusi. Here's a bit about me: I am Founder and CEO of agentsC Inc., an international company delivering fundraising, philanthropy, and social change solutions to organizations across the world.  I've spent 30 years working with major philanthropists, corporations, and grant-making foundations as well as charities to grow their impact. I am also a Black philanthropist.  I hope you enjoy this podcast, which will serve as an archive of wonderful and inspiring stories about Black generosity. You can learn more about Giving Black by visiting our website at: www.givingblack.ca.  Philanthropy Is The Heartbeat Of The World!

Information

  • Creator
    Olumide Akerewusi
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Giving Black Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Giving Black Podcast

You Might Also Like