Celebrating Black Philanthropy: Honoring Leaders, Launching The SOUL Fund

Aug 25, 2025

What. A. Night.

Nearly 200 of us filled CoCreate Stamford on August 19th with joy, purpose, and power for A Celebration of Black Philanthropy. Together, we celebrated our 2025 Soul of Philanthropy honorees: Dr. Mclean-Markes and Samaris Rose, and we launched The SOUL Fund Giving Circle. The remarks shared were a beautiful reminder of the power and impact that sharing our Time, Ties, Talent, Treasure, and Testimony has – in our community and beyond.

Already, 54 individuals have claimed their seat at The SOUL Fund table, contributing over $30,000 to this brand-new community led giving circle, which will support Black-led & serving nonprofits in Fairfield County.  Here is the list of members as of 8/25/25:

  • Josephine Fulcher Anderson
  • Phara Bayonne
  • Gwendolyn Brantley
  • Michele Bryant
  • Jennienne Burke
  • Krista Carnes
  • Nancy Coughlin
  • Rhonda Crichlow
  • Trevor Crow
  • Romney Donald*
  • Mike Duggan
  • Jere Eaton
  • Pamela Frederick
  • Julienne Foy*
  • Lorraine Gibbons
  • Dr. Katherine Golar
  • Isis-Rae Goulbourne
  • Ashley Hampton*
  • Jacquelyn Hay
  • Kenniel Hemmings
  • Jonathan Hoch
  • Melissa Hoch
  • Carmen Hughes*
  • Juanita James
  • Susan Johnson*
  • Vanessa Lecorps*
  • Romelle Jones Maloney
  • Raquel Marion-Virgo
  • Kayonne Markes
  • Dr. Jackqueline Mclean-Markes
  • Malaika Myers
  • Dominique Moore
  • Leonard Morris
  • Yaw Owusu-Boahen
  • Marcus Paca
  • Mendi Blue Paca
  • Stephen Perry
  • Chuck Presbury
  • Simone Quartey
  • Dr. Maya Reddi
  • Kayla Rocha
  • Marie Rocha*
  • Aniyah Sanchez
  • Kelvin Savage
  • Bianca Shinn-Desras*
  • Mitzy Sky
  • Jermaine Smith, Jr.
  • Kelsey Spencer
  • Maya Spruill*
  • Sakinah Carter Suttiratana
  • Eileen Swerdlick
  • Bobby Walker Jr.
  • Brandalyn Williams
  • Cheryl Williams
  • Desirae Williams
  • Dr. Maggie Young

*denotes Steering Committee member

Want your name on the legacy list?
SOUL Fund Giving Circle membership starts with a donation of at least $365 (which can be made in a lump sum, or via a recurring monthly contribution of just $33!) Join by 9/1 to be recognized as a Founding Member of this transformative movement.

Join the SOUL Fund

Want to chat through it before you join? Send us an email and a member of our team will be in touch!

Let’s rise—together.