The Evolution of Giving: How Philanthropy Shapes Our World

Speaker: 00:00:00

Iris Ivana Grant: Um, and so

people, what I want people to do is

2

: 00:00:02

understand that philanthropy in its

true sense is the love of humanity.

3

: 00:00:07

I need you to find what's your love

button, what's your passion work, right?

4

: 00:00:12

And it might be, I use Johnny as

an example in everything, um, that

5

: 00:00:17

I talk about, but no, if Johnny

is not a neighbor next door and

6

: 00:00:21

Johnny needs an apple every day.

7

: 00:00:23

To go to school and to function,

me giving Johnny that apple

8

: 00:00:28

is a form of philanthropy.

9

: 00:00:30

Tony Tidbit: We'll discuss race and how it

plays a factor and how we didn't even talk

10

: 00:00:34

about this topic because we were afraid.

11

: 00:00:38

BEP Narrator: A black

executive perspective.

12

: 00:00:41

Tony Tidbit: Welcome to a black executive

perspective podcast, a safe space where

13

: 00:00:44

we discuss all matters related to race,

especially race in corporate America.

14

: 00:00:49

I'm your host, Tony Tidbit.

15

: 00:00:51

Chris P. Reed: And I'm

your co host, Chris P.

16

: 00:00:52

Reed.

17

: 00:00:53

Tony Tidbit: And again, we're

at our partners, the University

18

: 00:00:56

of New Haven Podcast Studio.

19

: 00:00:58

88.

20

: 00:00:58

7 on the Richter dial.

21

: 00:01:01

Check them out.

22

: 00:01:01

We want to thank them for hosting the

Black Executive Perspective Podcast.

23

: 00:01:06

Again, go Chargers.

24

: 00:01:08

Chris P. Reed: And we also want to

make sure that we shout out CODE

25

: 00:01:10

M Magazine, our partners, whose

mission is saving the Black family

26

: 00:01:14

by first saving the Black man.

27

: 00:01:16

Check them out at CODE MMagazine.

28

: 00:01:18

com with two Ms.

29

: 00:01:18

CODE MMagazine.

30

: 00:01:20

com.

31

: 00:01:22

Tony Tidbit: Today, we are joined by

Iris Ivana Grant, founder and CEO of

32

: 00:01:27

Genesi Group, to explore philanthropy

not just for the act of giving,

33

: 00:01:32

but as a lifestyle and subculture.

34

: 00:01:35

Iris will start by defining

true philanthropy, the heartfelt

35

: 00:01:40

desire to improve others welfare

through support and donations.

36

: 00:01:45

In addition, Iris will share

practical advice how to incorporate

37

: 00:01:51

philanthropy into daily life, from

getting involved to building impact

38

: 00:01:56

connections, and how sustained giving

can enrich the lives of both the donor

39

: 00:02:04

Chris P. Reed: So before we get too deep

into this, let me give you guys a little

40

: 00:02:07

background of the highly energetic Iris

Ivana Grant, who is the founder and CEO

41

: 00:02:11

of Genesi Group, a strategic philanthropy

company, crafting solutions that bridge

42

: 00:02:16

industry, nonprofits and communities.

43

: 00:02:19

With over 17 years of experience,

Iris is known for fostering

44

: 00:02:22

innovative dial dialogues.

45

: 00:02:25

That blend entrepreneurship, corporate

responsibility and social impact.

46

: 00:02:29

A TEDx speaker alum and

award winning leader.

47

: 00:02:33

She has profoundly influenced

professional training and thought

48

: 00:02:37

leadership across various sectors.

49

: 00:02:39

In 2022, she launched Felix.

50

: 00:02:43

Philanthropy for every generation.

51

: 00:02:45

A digital platform that integrates

the philanthropic lifestyle

52

: 00:02:49

with industry practices.

53

: 00:02:51

Iris is celebrated for her role

in developing dynamic ecosystems.

54

: 00:02:55

That revolutionized social

impact, investing and funding

55

: 00:02:59

in both the for profit and

nonprofit set Iris invited grant.

56

: 00:03:05

Welcome to a black executive

perspective podcast.

57

: 00:03:09

Iris Ivana Grant: Thank you.

58

: 00:03:10

Thank you.

59

: 00:03:10

I'm excited to be here.

60

: 00:03:13

I love how you read that introduction.

61

: 00:03:14

That was great.

62

: 00:03:15

So

63

: 00:03:20

Chris P. Reed: let me let

me ask you a quick question.

64

: 00:03:26

So, uh, give me a little

bit about yourself.

65

: 00:03:28

Where are you currently residing?

66

: 00:03:29

Give me a little bit of your family, you

know, what, what, what is, what is you?

67

: 00:03:34

So of course,

68

: 00:03:34

Iris Ivana Grant: I'm, I'm the oldest

child that I act like the oldest

69

: 00:03:38

child in my family for my siblings.

70

: 00:03:40

Uh, uh, we'll talk about it and I am a

native New Yorker raised in Baltimore,

71

: 00:03:45

Maryland, very proud for the DMV.

72

: 00:03:48

And I currently reside

in Atlanta, Georgia.

73

: 00:03:54

Tony Tidbit: Look at you.

74

: 00:03:55

Okay.

75

: 00:03:55

So we got B more in the house.

76

: 00:03:57

I love it.

77

: 00:03:58

I love it.

78

: 00:03:59

And side note, you know, just real

quickly, what's your thoughts?

79

: 00:04:03

On, you know, the, uh, the tanker

accident that hit the bridge in Baltimore.

80

: 00:04:10

You know, tell us a little bit, has that

affected your community, your family?

81

: 00:04:16

Iris Ivana Grant: Um, it hasn't

like personally impacted my family.

82

: 00:04:19

The fortunate thing is that it happened

at the time that it happened, because

83

: 00:04:22

that is a major, major, major, um,

part of lifestyle of people going

84

: 00:04:28

to and from work and of industry.

85

: 00:04:31

Um, it is 1 of the most

important ports in this country.

86

: 00:04:35

And most people don't know that.

87

: 00:04:37

Um, and so, you know, the text

messages started flying early.

88

: 00:04:41

That morning from my family,

that news of the, of the, uh,

89

: 00:04:46

devastating fall of the bridge.

90

: 00:04:49

Um, and I think what I was most

proud of is that although I'm not a

91

: 00:04:53

resident of Baltimore right now, I

was most proud of leadership, right?

92

: 00:04:58

The mayor and, um, the governor,

every time there was a question

93

: 00:05:03

posed, They circled it directly

back to, but these are families.

94

: 00:05:09

These are people that construction

workers that are missing.

95

: 00:05:13

This is impacting our family,

so, you know, a lot of the

96

: 00:05:16

news was trying to talk about.

97

: 00:05:17

Um, well, when do you, when

do you start rebuilding?

98

: 00:05:20

Like, they were going to

know that, like, right away.

99

: 00:05:23

Um, but I loved and was proud that we

are a community that stays together.

100

: 00:05:28

And so that is what was shown and so.

101

: 00:05:31

Um, my thoughts and prayers immediately.

102

: 00:05:34

You know, I checked on my

people to make sure nobody was

103

: 00:05:38

coming in late on the bridge.

104

: 00:05:40

Of course.

105

: 00:05:40

Right.

106

: 00:05:41

Cause you know, that happens, right?

107

: 00:05:42

A little nighttime life.

108

: 00:05:44

Um, but, um, I'm very proud of how

it has been handled and how I'm

109

: 00:05:49

seeing it handled even from afar.

110

: 00:05:51

I'm very proud of the

community coming together.

111

: 00:05:53

Cause that's what Baltimore,

that's what really Baltimore is.

112

: 00:05:56

That's what the DMV is all about.

113

: 00:05:58

It's family.

114

: 00:05:59

Tony Tidbit: Well, you should be

proud because they did step up and it.

115

: 00:06:02

It's a tragic accident.

116

: 00:06:03

Some people lost their lives, which

is tragic, but yes, I agree with you.

117

: 00:06:07

The leadership has been there.

118

: 00:06:08

They've shown up and they're still there.

119

: 00:06:10

So question I have for you.

120

: 00:06:12

Why did you want to come on

a black executive perspective

121

: 00:06:15

podcast to talk about this topic?

122

: 00:06:19

Iris Ivana Grant: Because I think this

is a topic that people don't talk about.

123

: 00:06:23

They don't think about it, um,

in terms of their life, their

124

: 00:06:27

personal life and engagement.

125

: 00:06:29

And if they do, they really don't know

the industry and it is an industry.

126

: 00:06:34

So I wanted to come on and share that and

have those conversations that hopefully

127

: 00:06:38

empower and change some thought process.

128

: 00:06:41

Tony Tidbit: Well, listen, we're excited.

129

: 00:06:43

We're going to learn a lot.

130

: 00:06:44

Everybody's going to learn a lot.

131

: 00:06:45

So Iris, you ready to have

this conversation, my friend?

132

: 00:06:50

Yes, I am.

133

: 00:06:51

All right, let's talk about it, okay?

134

: 00:06:54

But before we get into it, Chris talked

a little bit about this in your bio.

135

: 00:06:58

You, you know, are award winning,

you know, TEDx speaker, and you

136

: 00:07:02

talked about this topic, so I want

to play something first and then I

137

: 00:07:06

want to ask you questions about it.

138

: 00:07:08

Iris Ivana Grant: There was a young girl

who was born with a great passion and an

139

: 00:07:12

unwavering, unwavering heart for people.

140

: 00:07:15

So So much so that she was really

quite hypersensitive when it came to

141

: 00:07:21

people's needs and their emotions.

142

: 00:07:24

And she gave.

143

: 00:07:26

Even if it meant that she'd give her last.

144

: 00:07:29

She loved people.

145

: 00:07:32

And she grew up to be a young woman

in her early twenties and she became

146

: 00:07:35

associated with organizations and

programs that allowed her to visit the

147

: 00:07:39

incarcerated, feed the homeless, And

to share a kind word with those who are

148

: 00:07:44

seemingly disconnected from society.

149

: 00:07:49

Now, believe it or not, in her circles

of influence, there were some that

150

: 00:07:53

ostracized her because of this.

151

: 00:07:55

They felt that her lifestyle and her

life experience or the lack thereof

152

: 00:08:01

disqualified her from being able to have

empathy and understand the very needs of

153

: 00:08:07

the people that she was trying to help.

154

: 00:08:09

Can you imagine being

disqualified to help somebody?

155

: 00:08:13

Tony Tidbit: So, let me ask you this.

156

: 00:08:15

This was you at TEDx in Jacksonville.

157

: 00:08:18

So, who was that person that you

were talking about in that story?

158

: 00:08:24

Iris Ivana Grant: That would be me.

159

: 00:08:26

That was absolutely me.

160

: 00:08:28

It's been a minute since I heard that.

161

: 00:08:29

Uh, that was me.

162

: 00:08:31

I was that, I was that, that young lady.

163

: 00:08:34

Tony Tidbit: So tell us more.

164

: 00:08:35

I mean, because that was awesome.

165

: 00:08:38

Right.

166

: 00:08:38

So tell us a little bit more your

background and how you came up with this

167

: 00:08:42

spirit of giving that unfortunately a

lot of people don't grow up with that.

168

: 00:08:49

Iris Ivana Grant: Yeah, you

know, um, man, so I'm a PK.

169

: 00:08:54

Um, for people that may not know

that acronym, I'm a preacher's kid.

170

: 00:08:58

Uh, so I grew up, grew up in church, grew

up with very sound Christian values of

171

: 00:09:04

giving, um, and I was that odd child.

172

: 00:09:07

I was the child in my household.

173

: 00:09:09

Again, um, I was the oldest, so

between myself and my next sibling.

174

: 00:09:15

Um, there's six and a half years.

175

: 00:09:17

So I was a only child for an

enjoyable period of my life.

176

: 00:09:22

Um, uh, but I also was that

kid who was the flower child.

177

: 00:09:27

Um, it was love, puppy, dogs, flowers,

and my parents did an amazing job, um,

178

: 00:09:34

with this creative spirit that I had of.

179

: 00:09:38

Making sure that I have like

these disciplines, but letting

180

: 00:09:41

me be who I was, right.

181

: 00:09:43

Um, even though, uh, they needed to

protect me because I was, you know,

182

: 00:09:48

young, extremely naive, extremely pure

in heart, but they allowed me to grow

183

: 00:09:52

into that individual, into that being,

um, was a musician and an artist.

184

: 00:09:59

So y'all can imagine I was just all over

the place and it was just love and, um,

185

: 00:10:04

I came from a very diverse family, so

culturally diverse, um, racially diverse,

186

: 00:10:12

and so there was a lot of acceptance

of, in our household, of who you are.

187

: 00:10:21

Right?

188

: 00:10:22

Um, I did not realize until I

hit about the fourth grade, third

189

: 00:10:26

or fourth grade, That's not how

everybody played in the world.

190

: 00:10:30

Right.

191

: 00:10:31

That's not how all the

kids came to the park.

192

: 00:10:33

Tony Tidbit: No.

193

: 00:10:33

Iris Ivana Grant: Right?

194

: 00:10:33

That wasn't everyone's story.

195

: 00:10:35

Um, and so, there was

this, there's this bubble.

196

: 00:10:39

Um, and I always had a very giving spirit.

197

: 00:10:41

Um, I always, I could cry at a movie

to see someone treated a certain way

198

: 00:10:47

or to ride past someone on the street.

199

: 00:10:50

I didn't understand why we were

riding past them on the street.

200

: 00:10:53

Um, so my parents allowed me

to have that space and it just

201

: 00:10:56

continued, uh, into my adulthood.

202

: 00:10:59

And then as an adult, I needed

to do something with that, right?

203

: 00:11:05

Um, even though you go through things and

you're treated a certain way with people,

204

: 00:11:11

I think we all have that story growing up.

205

: 00:11:13

Um, I just could not find

that button to treat them back

206

: 00:11:19

the same way they treated me.

207

: 00:11:20

And I didn't know what that was, right?

208

: 00:11:23

Um, so I needed to kind of find out

what, what that opportunity, have

209

: 00:11:27

an opportunity to figure that out.

210

: 00:11:29

And so, but I mean, of course, being

a PK, there's always opportunities

211

: 00:11:33

to like, to feed and to help and

to be engaged in the community.

212

: 00:11:37

And as a young adult, I

sought to do that, right?

213

: 00:11:40

I sought to, It's been six months

doing this or three months doing this,

214

: 00:11:44

working with different, um, missions

and, and ministries, um, trying to

215

: 00:11:48

find like my space to, to make the

world better and the figure me out.

216

: 00:11:54

Um, and so that's how I kind of navigated

into that into that space of, of

217

: 00:11:59

going out and, and, um, being curious

about people in the world and figuring

218

: 00:12:05

out what my gift button to give was.

219

: 00:12:08

Chris P. Reed: As a young child, uh,

you being exposed to that environment,

220

: 00:12:12

was there ever a time where you,

uh, overextended your giving or

221

: 00:12:17

your parents had to say, wait, wait,

wait, we ain't got it like that.

222

: 00:12:19

Or would you always bring it home?

223

: 00:12:20

Stray this and stray that.

224

: 00:12:22

Like, how did that work

when you were young?

225

: 00:12:24

Because sometimes I know for me, uh,

growing up, you know, I had a cousin

226

: 00:12:29

that was like that, that everything

was a cause and, and, and he was going,

227

: 00:12:32

you know, Cape up for everything he

could and we just didn't have it.

228

: 00:12:36

So maybe y'all had it and it was of

abundance, but did you always have

229

: 00:12:40

that situation where they supported it?

230

: 00:12:42

Or was there a time where

they was like, I was not now.

231

: 00:12:44

Dang.

232

: 00:12:46

Iris Ivana Grant: That was my

233

: 00:12:47

Chris P. Reed: dad, my dad was like,

234

: 00:12:49

Iris Ivana Grant: yeah, so I, I, I,

you know, I always had like the stray

235

: 00:12:53

dog or the stray, um, uh, cat and dad

was like, yeah, we weren't, you're not

236

: 00:12:59

bringing another animal in this house.

237

: 00:13:01

Um, I collected people.

238

: 00:13:03

So I had at a very young age, a very

unusual eclectic group of friends.

239

: 00:13:09

Like very, uh, yeah.

240

: 00:13:11

And my parents were like,

yeah, we need to watch this.

241

: 00:13:14

My mom being a native New Yorker, she

was very open to things like that.

242

: 00:13:20

My dad is Baltimore.

243

: 00:13:22

And so he's very like,

244

: 00:13:23

Tony Tidbit: Hmm,

245

: 00:13:24

Iris Ivana Grant: let's

check this out first.

246

: 00:13:25

Let's see what this is.

247

: 00:13:26

So it was that blend.

248

: 00:13:28

Um, so yeah, dad put the cache on a whole

lot of, uh, extra things and people.

249

: 00:13:34

But I've always been like that.

250

: 00:13:36

I've always been very open and welcoming.

251

: 00:13:38

And when you're a child, you don't realize

the dangers that can be onset by that.

252

: 00:13:44

You don't, you don't

see the world like that.

253

: 00:13:46

We're taught those things by,

um, you know, we're nurtured

254

: 00:13:51

into those things, right, by, by

environment or by other people.

255

: 00:13:55

Um, and, um, I call them boxes,

you know, where you figure out

256

: 00:13:59

what boxes people put you in.

257

: 00:14:02

Right.

258

: 00:14:02

And so my life became a space where there

were a lot of boxes that I needed to

259

: 00:14:07

make adjustments to because, um, I just

didn't fit in, really didn't fit in,

260

: 00:14:13

Tony Tidbit: you know, in your, in your

TED talk, as you opened up, um, and

261

: 00:14:19

you were telling your life, you spoke

towards the end there that, you know,

262

: 00:14:24

you love to give and then you were saying

that some of your friends or people

263

: 00:14:29

in the world were pushing back at you.

264

: 00:14:32

Talk a little bit about that.

265

: 00:14:33

The reason I ask is because one of the

things that people are afraid to do is

266

: 00:14:40

be, being taken advantage of, right?

267

: 00:14:44

And when you're a giver and you just said

it a few minutes ago, the world doesn't

268

: 00:14:48

act the same way as you act, right?

269

: 00:14:51

And, and, and people become

sullied because of that.

270

: 00:14:55

So tell us a little bit about that

aspect of, of your, your journey.

271

: 00:15:02

Iris Ivana Grant: Man, oh, you

said a mouthful because I will say

272

: 00:15:07

honestly, um, I probably did not learn

how to really balance that myself.

273

: 00:15:16

First, personally, probably until about.

274

: 00:15:20

The early 2000s, right?

275

: 00:15:22

So maybe 10.

276

: 00:15:24

15 years ago, um, professionally.

277

: 00:15:29

You learn boundaries, but for me, um,

it took a while because I'm a giver.

278

: 00:15:37

I love giving.

279

: 00:15:38

It's, it's my automatic response.

280

: 00:15:41

Right.

281

: 00:15:42

Um.

282

: 00:15:43

And so I also, I'm a Taurus girl.

283

: 00:15:45

So we have a long, long, long, long

runway with people, which doesn't help

284

: 00:15:51

because then you keep making excuses.

285

: 00:15:54

I'm like, well, they didn't mean

it, you know, or, well, perhaps, you

286

: 00:15:58

know, they're going through a lot.

287

: 00:16:00

We're all going through something and

you just keep getting this runway.

288

: 00:16:02

And so what I found was I gave this

runway and a lot of advantages.

289

: 00:16:10

Um, and so I personally had to work

really hard on the purity of my heart.

290

: 00:16:16

Um, and I, I attribute my family and

my faith to that because, you know,

291

: 00:16:21

you go through things in life that are

challenging, um, that can bring on the

292

: 00:16:26

onset of bitterness and disrupt your life.

293

: 00:16:29

It can bring anger.

294

: 00:16:30

And I worked really hard because I'd

had the ability as a child, the chance

295

: 00:16:35

to explore the fact that I'm a giver.

296

: 00:16:39

And as an adult, I didn't want to make

that adjustment to not being a giver.

297

: 00:16:44

I had to realize that you can't

give in every situation, and

298

: 00:16:48

sometimes the clapback needs

to happen immediately, right?

299

: 00:16:51

You have to learn those things.

300

: 00:16:52

So you learn to navigate, but, um, I

really had to wrestle with the fact of

301

: 00:17:00

how do you maintain your heart to give?

302

: 00:17:03

How do you become discerning?

303

: 00:17:05

Of when to give right?

304

: 00:17:07

And then also, how do you

give without being an enabler?

305

: 00:17:12

And I did not learn how

to do that really until I.

306

: 00:17:17

Professionally moved into nonprofit work.

307

: 00:17:21

I personally just kept kept giving

and making excuses and the industry

308

: 00:17:26

itself working in the industry

kind of started teaching me how to.

309

: 00:17:31

Navigate that space and have those,

those, those boundaries and those borders.

310

: 00:17:37

Um, but yeah, I, I, I had a lot

of people that I felt were close

311

: 00:17:44

to me in terms of friends when

I would go out, um, I've done.

312

: 00:17:49

work with homeless.

313

: 00:17:50

I've gone to prisons.

314

: 00:17:52

That, that, that was a trial and error.

315

: 00:17:55

Wow.

316

: 00:17:56

Um, and so people have to admission

work out on the street corners.

317

: 00:18:00

And so people were like,

that's not where you're from.

318

: 00:18:02

You're, you're from middle

class America, right?

319

: 00:18:05

What do you do?

320

: 00:18:06

You know, what do you, what do you know?

321

: 00:18:08

You know, I would go down to the

projects in Baltimore like, and

322

: 00:18:12

be there for Saturday events and

community events and doing things.

323

: 00:18:16

Um, People would be like,

well, why'd you go there?

324

: 00:18:20

You don't know their plight.

325

: 00:18:21

You don't understand them.

326

: 00:18:22

You're not from there.

327

: 00:18:23

Um, and it troubled me tremendously.

328

: 00:18:26

It caused a lot of, uh, crying

days because my intent was,

329

: 00:18:30

but they're, they're people.

330

: 00:18:31

I'm trying to help.

331

: 00:18:33

Um, I never looked at it as a us and

a them, you know, and I never looked

332

: 00:18:38

at a hungry person as a hungry person.

333

: 00:18:41

Didn't think that there needed to be

a distinction between neighborhoods.

334

: 00:18:44

Hunger is hunger, right?

335

: 00:18:46

Um, having clothing to wear

is having clothing to wear.

336

: 00:18:50

I didn't know that it had to be,

you know, the difference between

337

: 00:18:54

designer and, you know, consignment.

338

: 00:18:57

Like, it's clothing.

339

: 00:18:59

Whether it's first hand, second

hand, 25th hand, it's clothing.

340

: 00:19:03

Um, so I wrestled with things in my mind

and in my head and in my spirit versus

341

: 00:19:07

how people wanted me to be in a box.

342

: 00:19:11

Because they didn't understand

who I was on my journey.

343

: 00:19:14

And you have to figure out

who you are on your journey.

344

: 00:19:19

Right.

345

: 00:19:19

And, and giving is a part of

our, of all of our journeys.

346

: 00:19:22

If we really want to be fulfilled as

individuals, it's our responsibility.

347

: 00:19:28

Chris P. Reed: You said something

that was extremely powerful in

348

: 00:19:31

your Philanthropic pursuits.

349

: 00:19:33

I go around and do leadership

seminars for religious organizations.

350

: 00:19:37

And what it is, is the business of

religion is one of my, my things that

351

: 00:19:42

I do, because unfortunately, when you

get into these, these, these spiritual,

352

: 00:19:46

uh, situations, uh, one of the

tenants of many religions is charity.

353

: 00:19:51

And so sometimes the taker is going to

take a person that's got, that ain't

354

: 00:19:57

got the rent money, the gas money, the

water bill money, this, that, and they

355

: 00:20:01

want to hit into the, uh, benevolent,

you know, fun, they go come back month

356

: 00:20:05

after month, after month, after month.

357

: 00:20:06

And I have to talk to these people about

business, the business of religion.

358

: 00:20:10

If you want to keep these doors open for

all these folks, you got these primary,

359

: 00:20:15

you know, actors that keep coming in

and draining from the well, so to speak.

360

: 00:20:19

So you made a transition

professionally away from that.

361

: 00:20:23

And you said you had to make a

determination of what is a good

362

: 00:20:27

investment in my philanthropy.

363

: 00:20:30

And what is something that I need

to make sure that I skirt away from,

364

: 00:20:32

because I think growing up in that

religious home, you had a, you always

365

: 00:20:36

going to find somebody that's in need.

366

: 00:20:38

That's just the nature of how this works.

367

: 00:20:40

And it's how it's supposed to work based

on the religion itself being charitable.

368

: 00:20:44

So how did you, um, Conceive the, the

Genesi group and how does it work?

369

: 00:20:50

And what was the core

things that you said?

370

: 00:20:51

You know what, I'm going to take all

of this, this, this, this spirit and

371

: 00:20:55

all of this energy and coordinate

it into something professional.

372

: 00:20:59

What was the, what was the epiphany that

came to you and said, I can do this?

373

: 00:21:04

Iris Ivana Grant: Um, I, you know, I, I

went into corporate, I got out of school.

374

: 00:21:09

I went into corporate and I was in

corporate for 10 years and it didn't

375

: 00:21:12

satisfy me, um, because it was so.

376

: 00:21:16

Many do's don'ts and roles, right?

377

: 00:21:19

The hard line and it wasn't

really people friendly.

378

: 00:21:23

I don't believe that capitalism

has to be dehumanizing at all.

379

: 00:21:28

Um, I don't believe good business

has to be dehumanizing at all.

380

: 00:21:32

Um, so I believe in the social good, and

I believe in social impact and at those

381

: 00:21:36

times, those are not words we were using.

382

: 00:21:38

Right.

383

: 00:21:39

Um, and so when I left corporate, I

really was under this umbrella and

384

: 00:21:44

this fog of there's, there's got to

be something I can do that satisfies.

385

: 00:21:49

Just me as a person, like,

I didn't feel like I fit in.

386

: 00:21:52

I was actually creating programs

and doing the things that I do

387

: 00:21:56

now without even knowing it's

amazing that I think if people look

388

: 00:21:59

at what they're really good at.

389

: 00:22:02

An entrepreneur is going to create, even

if they're at a corporate office, they're,

390

: 00:22:06

it's just going to come out of them.

391

: 00:22:08

Right.

392

: 00:22:08

So my giving and my entrepreneurism

was coming out and I just

393

: 00:22:12

didn't know what it was.

394

: 00:22:13

I hadn't identified it because

again, I thought that it had

395

: 00:22:16

to be within a certain box.

396

: 00:22:18

Right.

397

: 00:22:19

Um, and when I went to the nonprofit

industry, I started at the base.

398

: 00:22:24

Um, and so one, a really

amazing, uh, mentor.

399

: 00:22:32

Uh, saw me and said, you're different.

400

: 00:22:34

There's some, you, you remind me of me.

401

: 00:22:37

Um, and so I started working with her

and, and went through the process.

402

: 00:22:43

Um, and I started

noticing the gaps, right?

403

: 00:22:46

Because I understood the need

because I had that upbringing of

404

: 00:22:50

understanding and seeing people's needs

and being able to discern when you

405

: 00:22:54

need and when you don't need, right?

406

: 00:22:56

Um, I had corporate,

which was all the rules.

407

: 00:22:59

And all the litigation of everything,

um, and then the nonprofit piece.

408

: 00:23:03

And so I saw the gaps

between all 3 of them.

409

: 00:23:08

And I recognize that I had

a gift to be able to see.

410

: 00:23:11

The gaps and provide a

solution, because I had this.

411

: 00:23:15

Unusual experience in my

life of engagement, and out

412

: 00:23:19

of that was Genesi was born.

413

: 00:23:22

And so, um, that is what we do is

we, we fill the gaps we provide.

414

: 00:23:28

The strategies and the ecosystems in

philanthropy, it's very strategic.

415

: 00:23:33

There is a science, there

is a psychology to it.

416

: 00:23:36

It is the business of philanthropy.

417

: 00:23:38

It is the industry of philanthropy, right?

418

: 00:23:40

Of nonprofit industry.

419

: 00:23:41

It's, it is, but it is focused on, um,

the perspectives of giving and giving in

420

: 00:23:50

a way that is impactful, which means you

don't give Based on your perspective,

421

: 00:23:56

you actually give in a way that moves and

motivates as the community needs, right?

422

: 00:24:02

So, um, I often talk about the word

philanthropy in the original Greek,

423

: 00:24:09

it's, it's philos and anthropy.

424

: 00:24:12

So it is the love of humanity, the love

of, um, Humankind, we know fellows is

425

: 00:24:20

love and Anthropos is the man or humanity.

426

: 00:24:24

Um, and we've gotten away from that.

427

: 00:24:26

And so at Genesi, everything

that we do is with the culture

428

: 00:24:31

of, because we love humanity.

429

: 00:24:34

Because we're responsible, it's not

my job to try to figure out how many

430

: 00:24:38

times you've come back to the bucket.

431

: 00:24:40

Right.

432

: 00:24:41

It's to make sure that your bucket

is filled so that at some point

433

: 00:24:45

you don't want to come back.

434

: 00:24:45

You don't have to come back.

435

: 00:24:47

Right.

436

: 00:24:48

That we can keep giving and we

can keep doing in an effective way

437

: 00:24:51

Chris P. Reed: You said something that

was very interesting that made me think

438

: 00:24:54

Um about the nuances between what you

provide as a service and what you do in

439

: 00:24:59

the industry So if you could give me a

quick kind of summation of how's it done

440

: 00:25:04

wrong that you've seen in the industry?

441

: 00:25:06

Who's who's doing it wrong and how

and what do you do this different

442

: 00:25:10

that makes it a good thing?

443

: 00:25:13

Iris Ivana Grant: I'm not going to point

anybody out that they're doing it wrong.

444

: 00:25:15

Tony Tidbit: You got to tell them now.

445

: 00:25:16

You got to tell them what time it is.

446

: 00:25:18

All right.

447

: 00:25:19

Don't be afraid.

448

: 00:25:20

We only going to show this

to a hundred million people.

449

: 00:25:22

Chris P. Reed: These

450

: 00:25:25

Iris Ivana Grant: bums.

451

: 00:25:25

Gams blazing, right?

452

: 00:25:28

Um, I will say this.

453

: 00:25:30

I do believe in that.

454

: 00:25:31

And first of all, I, I do not want

to hinder anyone from giving how

455

: 00:25:36

they give, but, Um, I do believe that

our corporate fellows and, um, yeah,

456

: 00:25:49

our corporations, they do it wrong.

457

: 00:25:53

And, and the reason why I say that, and

it's not to, to, to blast how they give

458

: 00:25:59

or what they do, but they, it's often

misunderstood the industry of giving.

459

: 00:26:06

And nonprofit work, right.

460

: 00:26:08

At a, at a really, really cruise,

get grass grassroots level,

461

: 00:26:13

Tony Tidbit: right.

462

: 00:26:14

Iris Ivana Grant: Everything

comes from nonprofit.

463

: 00:26:15

It comes from the bottom up, right.

464

: 00:26:17

The need, the disruption,

everything comes from the bottom up.

465

: 00:26:21

Cause you're talking about

people's lives on this other side.

466

: 00:26:25

When you bring the rigid profit

making perspective, marketing,

467

: 00:26:34

Branding, campaigning of

capitalistic corporation businesses.

468

: 00:26:42

I'm trying to throw all

of those pieces in there.

469

: 00:26:45

And you bring that,

um, to non profit work.

470

: 00:26:53

You can't just bring it.

471

: 00:26:55

So you just can't have DEI.

472

: 00:26:57

You just can't have corporate

corporate social responsibility

473

: 00:27:01

and make the rules up and say, I'm

going to give it to you this way.

474

: 00:27:05

And here's how you need to impact.

475

: 00:27:07

And here's how you need to

give me my return on it.

476

: 00:27:10

Um, because it doesn't work like

that in our industry, right?

477

: 00:27:16

We're talking about people's lives.

478

: 00:27:18

We're talking about services that

are provided to people, right?

479

: 00:27:23

Um, Whatever they are right.

480

: 00:27:26

And so, oftentimes,

what we don't do right.

481

: 00:27:31

Encountering right.

482

: 00:27:33

Oftentimes, what we do do right in the

nonprofit industry is that we do not come

483

: 00:27:37

with the strategy of engagement to say,

here are the here's the boundaries, right?

484

: 00:27:43

We were talking about the

boundaries earlier, right?

485

: 00:27:45

Understanding your personal boundaries,

understanding your business boundaries.

486

: 00:27:48

Here are the boundaries.

487

: 00:27:49

Here's what we do.

488

: 00:27:51

Here's where we want to grow to.

489

: 00:27:53

Here's why we need to grow.

490

: 00:27:54

Here's how the changes are happening.

491

: 00:27:57

Here's what we need collaboratively in

partnership with you as a corporation

492

: 00:28:01

or as a donor, as an individual, right?

493

: 00:28:03

Or even nonprofit to nonprofit B2B, right?

494

: 00:28:07

C2B or B2B.

495

: 00:28:09

We often don't do that because we

are so busy trying to chase the funds

496

: 00:28:15

that we need to do the services.

497

: 00:28:16

for joining us.

498

: 00:28:18

And for some reason, people think that

nonprofit work also is that everybody

499

: 00:28:23

should be church mouse, church mouse poor.

500

: 00:28:27

Right.

501

: 00:28:27

So they're always looking at like, who's

making what and who's, and you always,

502

: 00:28:31

you always have a seed, a bad seed, right?

503

: 00:28:33

I'm not talking about that, but being

able to pay how the nonprofits are

504

: 00:28:37

struggling to be able to pay market

value for people that are professionally

505

: 00:28:41

coming in and providing services.

506

: 00:28:43

Right.

507

: 00:28:44

So for me.

508

: 00:28:46

The collaborative space, I know I'm

going to get rocks thrown at me, but

509

: 00:28:50

the collaborative space is really

messed up when you have corporations

510

: 00:28:54

that give and their interest in giving.

511

: 00:28:57

And I'm not saying corporations

and corporation leaders are not

512

: 00:29:00

interested in really giving back

because there are some amazing.

513

: 00:29:04

Leaders that give and lead

their organizations and their

514

: 00:29:06

companies to give right.

515

: 00:29:08

Um, but it's not enough collaboration

in terms of letting the nonprofits lead.

516

: 00:29:15

What that giving looks like, right?

517

: 00:29:18

And how, um, you get from point A

to point B, because they're the,

518

: 00:29:24

there's, they're the true professionals

in terms of what's needed, right?

519

: 00:29:28

And so oftentimes people do not understand

the struggles that happen with nonprofit

520

: 00:29:33

businesses and nonprofit leadership and

the struggles that they are overcoming.

521

: 00:29:38

Chris, you had said earlier,

um, um, That it, you know, it's

522

: 00:29:42

not for the faint of heart.

523

: 00:29:43

It is not.

524

: 00:29:44

You're serving people and you're

trying to meet service needs.

525

: 00:29:47

When a program goes down, lives

are attached to that, right?

526

: 00:29:53

And it's not just a paycheck life.

527

: 00:29:54

It's a life of, do they eat?

528

: 00:29:58

Did they get an education, right?

529

: 00:30:00

What's the home life environment like?

530

: 00:30:02

So I, I, I am somewhat

disgruntled sometimes, um, by

531

: 00:30:08

how we interact collaboratively.

532

: 00:30:10

Um, and one of the things that I

established with Genesi is that because

533

: 00:30:14

we do build those strategies, we are

very sensitive to what the needs of the

534

: 00:30:18

corporation would be as the giver, um, the

individual, because return on investment

535

: 00:30:24

means something different for everyone

and everyone needs a return on investment.

536

: 00:30:28

We say that phrase, but that means

something totally different between

537

: 00:30:32

corporate and an individual nonprofit.

538

: 00:30:34

So, what we do is we look at.

539

: 00:30:37

Here's what you want to give here's what

you want to do, or here's what you need.

540

: 00:30:41

Here's what the collaboration is,

whatever the, whatever the, the,

541

: 00:30:44

the circle looks like, whatever the

ecosystem looks like, and then we

542

: 00:30:48

make sure that we bring to the table.

543

: 00:30:50

What the return on investment

is for each engaging party.

544

: 00:30:55

So that everybody meets the need.

545

: 00:30:57

Right of the community and then

of their community that's giving.

546

: 00:31:02

And so you want things to be fulfilling

for the giver and for the receiver.

547

: 00:31:07

Otherwise, you start having retractions

and we're and we're seeing that

548

: 00:31:11

when you're just checking a box.

549

: 00:31:14

After a while, you stop

wanting to check the box.

550

: 00:31:16

Right.

551

: 00:31:17

And so we see them a lot of box checking,

um, so that the consumer can say, Oh,

552

: 00:31:21

look at, look at what they're doing.

553

: 00:31:23

Right.

554

: 00:31:24

Um, without really being able to see and

look and see really what they're doing.

555

: 00:31:28

Tony Tidbit: So Iris, you know,

and again, I would imagine that

556

: 00:31:32

most people, so we, you just took

giving to steroids on steroids.

557

: 00:31:37

Okay.

558

: 00:31:38

Um, but I can imagine once it

gets to the corporate level.

559

: 00:31:44

And now, cause it's a huge

industry right now, right?

560

: 00:31:48

Um, nonprofit, corporate, social

responsibility, social impact investment.

561

: 00:31:54

Um, so you have social entrepreneurs.

562

: 00:31:57

And one of the things in my experience

is, you know, I remember when I was

563

: 00:32:01

working at the startup and then all

of a sudden we got an investment

564

: 00:32:05

from a private, private equity firm.

565

: 00:32:08

And all of a sudden, the first

board meeting, they're talking,

566

: 00:32:11

they're saying some stuff that we

don't understand and we're trying to

567

: 00:32:15

explain them how our business works.

568

: 00:32:18

Okay.

569

: 00:32:19

In simplistic terms, but there

was a language barrier and because

570

: 00:32:24

there was a language barrier,

we struggled because they were

571

: 00:32:29

looking to hit certain KPIs, right?

572

: 00:32:32

Where we were talking about how media is

bought and run, and it's on a quarterly

573

: 00:32:38

basis where they were looking for

monthly numbers and stuff to that nature.

574

: 00:32:41

So I can imagine when you talk about

giving, but now you, you've taken it to

575

: 00:32:46

steroids and now you have big donors or,

or boards or, you know, people overseeing

576

: 00:32:53

the business and they're probably trying

to look and run it like a business and

577

: 00:32:57

there could be some language barriers.

578

: 00:32:59

Cause can you speak to that a little bit?

579

: 00:33:02

Iris Ivana Grant: Yes.

580

: 00:33:03

Um, we have spent, so

Genesi is eight years old.

581

: 00:33:06

We have spent, um, man, the last

four years developing trainings to

582

: 00:33:13

help nonprofits, um, and, uh, social

entrepreneurs, which I would love to

583

: 00:33:21

see that raised up social entrepreneurs,

um, understand that when they come to

584

: 00:33:26

the table, you do not chase the money.

585

: 00:33:29

All money is not good money.

586

: 00:33:31

And so, um, in order to not chase

the money, you need to understand the

587

: 00:33:37

table that you're sitting at on the

table that you were inviting people

588

: 00:33:40

to, um, the table that people are

coming and saying, I want to give I

589

: 00:33:44

want to support you need to understand

and have clarity in the language.

590

: 00:33:49

Right, I did, uh, I did an

article with Salesforce global.

591

: 00:33:53

Um, in 2019, it talked

about three main words.

592

: 00:33:57

That everybody says, and there

are a danger to our system

593

: 00:34:01

because nobody stops and ask.

594

: 00:34:04

What do you really mean by that?

595

: 00:34:05

What do you mean by impact?

596

: 00:34:07

What do you mean by return on investment?

597

: 00:34:10

What do you really mean?

598

: 00:34:12

Um, with with a follow

up, what does that mean?

599

: 00:34:16

And those words are different

across industry verticals.

600

: 00:34:20

Right?

601

: 00:34:21

Um, and so we spend a lot of time helping.

602

: 00:34:24

Founders and leaders understand that

when you come to the table, first of

603

: 00:34:28

all, you need to come to the table.

604

: 00:34:31

With your with your organization,

and you need to ask the questions.

605

: 00:34:35

Sometimes we're so busy telling the story.

606

: 00:34:39

And the narrative that we don't

ask the business questions of.

607

: 00:34:45

What is it that you need in return?

608

: 00:34:47

What is it that you're looking for?

609

: 00:34:49

And that's not to knock.

610

: 00:34:50

Transcribed What anybody's

return is, right?

611

: 00:34:53

That's not, it's, it's just,

you know, I'm an apple.

612

: 00:34:56

You're orange.

613

: 00:34:57

It's okay.

614

: 00:34:58

So what does that look like?

615

: 00:34:59

If we, we put that together,

I want to make sure that the

616

: 00:35:01

apple's happy and I want to make

sure that the orange is happy.

617

: 00:35:04

Right.

618

: 00:35:05

And we often don't do that.

619

: 00:35:06

Um, because it's a relationship.

620

: 00:35:10

Right.

621

: 00:35:10

And so a lot of times when you bring

in certain business perspectives,

622

: 00:35:16

there's, there is this thing that is

happening across, um, Nonprofit boards,

623

: 00:35:21

um, who, when they bring in, uh,

other industry professionals on their

624

: 00:35:26

board, they all talk about fundraising

as being sales, but it's a sell.

625

: 00:35:32

Tell the story and just sell them.

626

: 00:35:35

No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

627

: 00:35:36

There are certain words we do not use.

628

: 00:35:38

Um, and fundraising, we

do not talk about sales.

629

: 00:35:42

Sales are transaction, right?

630

: 00:35:45

I'm gonna sell you on something

that may or may not work.

631

: 00:35:48

I'm gonna get your money.

632

: 00:35:50

And we're done and you may or

may not come back as a customer.

633

: 00:35:52

That's the sales.

634

: 00:35:53

That's not how we do when you are

giving, um, and you're looking to give.

635

: 00:35:59

You want someone to give from their heart?

636

: 00:36:01

You want them to really be connected?

637

: 00:36:03

Whether whatever the entity is, whether

it's a business or individual, you

638

: 00:36:05

want them to be connected because

they have a passion for they have a

639

: 00:36:10

propensity towards that because you want

long term sustainability and impact.

640

: 00:36:15

And so that comes from

relationship and cultivation.

641

: 00:36:18

There's certain words that we use

in the industry that are getting

642

: 00:36:22

muffled and muddled and not really

being taken, um, seriously, you know?

643

: 00:36:30

So if I say to someone, oh, that's not

a word that we use, we use the word

644

: 00:36:34

relationship and they keep saying sales

645

: 00:36:37

Tony Tidbit: two different languages.

646

: 00:36:39

Iris Ivana Grant: It's two different

languages and you're going to get

647

: 00:36:41

two different results and somebody's

going to be dissatisfied because the

648

: 00:36:44

nonprofit world is not about sales.

649

: 00:36:47

Tony Tidbit: You know, one

of the things, and again, you

650

: 00:36:49

help educate me on this, right?

651

: 00:36:51

When we, when we look at the philanthropy

world, we think it's big donors.

652

: 00:36:58

We think it's, you know, Bill Gates.

653

: 00:37:02

Warren Buffett.

654

: 00:37:03

We think.

655

: 00:37:05

And which, don't get me wrong, obviously

they're, they have their own, uh,

656

: 00:37:10

platforms and stuff to that nature.

657

: 00:37:13

One of the things though in your TED

talk that you really, uh, uh, uh,

658

: 00:37:17

enlightened me was that philanthropy

is not always about giving money.

659

: 00:37:24

Speak to that a little bit.

660

: 00:37:25

Because I think that's where people,

when you talk about language, okay,

661

: 00:37:30

I think that's where sometimes

the average layperson misses it.

662

: 00:37:35

Because I know I did, I'm

thinking big donors, I'm thinking

663

: 00:37:39

the people I talked about.

664

: 00:37:40

Um, but in your TED talk,

you did a really good job.

665

: 00:37:43

You talking about relationships?

666

: 00:37:45

You definitely did a good job in terms

of educating people about relationships.

667

: 00:37:49

So talk a little bit about the

other things philanthropy is about.

668

: 00:37:53

Iris Ivana Grant: Absolutely.

669

: 00:37:55

And a lot of people push

back on that, right?

670

: 00:37:57

Because we make philanthropy

classation, right?

671

: 00:38:01

So philanthropy is a word that's

used when we talk about high net

672

: 00:38:06

worth individuals, large gifts, you

know, transformative gifts, um, then

673

: 00:38:12

they're, they're philanthropist.

674

: 00:38:15

Right.

675

: 00:38:15

If the middle class is giving

their volunteers and giving

676

: 00:38:19

charitable contributions,

677

: 00:38:21

Tony Tidbit: it's a go its a go fund me.

678

: 00:38:22

Iris Ivana Grant: Exactly.

679

: 00:38:25

So we see how we start bringing

class station into things, right.

680

: 00:38:28

Um, and these power dynamics, and

then if it's the poor, then, you

681

: 00:38:33

know, or if it's, we equate the poor

with coming to a church, then it's

682

: 00:38:38

benevolence or it's charity work.

683

: 00:38:40

Right.

684

: 00:38:40

Right.

685

: 00:38:41

Um, and then, and then it's

the poor and the needy.

686

: 00:38:45

Right, so we build these classes,

these walls of class Asian.

687

: 00:38:49

Um, and and again, I said

that this industry, there is a

688

: 00:38:53

science and a psychology to it.

689

: 00:38:55

So, like, as soon as we came out

of covert, we had that major rush.

690

: 00:38:58

Right in 2022, the top 50

individuals, that's your top.

691

: 00:39:04

High network individuals

gave about 12Billion dollars.

692

: 00:39:08

That's amazing.

693

: 00:39:09

That's, that's, and that's

just America, right?

694

: 00:39:12

12 billion.

695

: 00:39:13

But in 2022, that same giving 499 billion

went to the philanthropic industry.

696

: 00:39:26

Tony Tidbit: Wow.

697

: 00:39:27

Iris Ivana Grant: So if you've

got 50 people and you've got 12

698

: 00:39:30

billion that's given, That's a

whole, that's 50 people, right?

699

: 00:39:37

Right.

700

: 00:39:38

And then if you look at, um, out

of that 499 billion, you had about

701

: 00:39:43

314 billion that were individuals.

702

: 00:39:49

See how the numbers, the numbers

on the individual side are massive.

703

: 00:39:52

Tony Tidbit: Nobody

talks about that, right?

704

: 00:39:54

Nobody

705

: 00:39:55

Iris Ivana Grant: talks about that.

706

: 00:39:56

So you got the difference

between the 499 and the 314 that

707

: 00:40:00

would be private foundations,

grantings, and other institutions.

708

: 00:40:05

This is just America, guys, right?

709

: 00:40:07

So when you talk about giving and you

talk about that being the dollar value

710

: 00:40:18

assessment, people that are not giving

or don't recognize that they are giving,

711

: 00:40:27

a lot of times they're volunteering.

712

: 00:40:32

So, if I can't, and that's not to say

that everybody that volunteers is doing

713

: 00:40:36

it and is not giving in a dollar amount,

but if you remove the dollar amount and

714

: 00:40:40

you look at the number of volunteers.

715

: 00:40:43

The volunteers, the why that is so

important is because in a nonprofit

716

: 00:40:48

organization or a business that's

performing social good, has a social good

717

: 00:40:52

aspect to it, you are eliminating FTE.

718

: 00:40:57

So, you know, that business would

have that expense that it might

719

: 00:41:00

need, excuse me, 10, 10 employees.

720

: 00:41:05

But if I've got 10 volunteers coming

in, right, you're lifting a weight.

721

: 00:41:12

If I have a business and I can provide

to you some of our product that's

722

: 00:41:17

needed and that nonprofit doesn't have

to purchase that product on top of

723

: 00:41:23

because people don't think about that.

724

: 00:41:24

Right?

725

: 00:41:25

They don't think about they want you to

deliver the program, but they don't want

726

: 00:41:28

you to hire the person to deliver the

program because nobody wants to pay for

727

: 00:41:31

that or the materials that are needed.

728

: 00:41:34

Right.

729

: 00:41:35

Um, in 2023, I believe, uh,

nonprofits spent a trillion

730

: 00:41:40

dollars in goods and services.

731

: 00:41:44

Wow.

732

: 00:41:44

Like, we're not even counted

in the, in the true economy.

733

: 00:41:48

We're not mentioned in the

economy of what we have to do.

734

: 00:41:52

And so when people

volunteer, it is tremendous.

735

: 00:41:56

If you give a dollar, that dollar

is just as needed and appreciated.

736

: 00:42:03

As the 100Million dollars.

737

: 00:42:04

Tony Tidbit: Right.

738

: 00:42:04

Iris Ivana Grant: Right.

739

: 00:42:06

And so people, what I want people to

do is understand that philanthropy in

740

: 00:42:09

its true sense is the love of humanity.

741

: 00:42:12

I need you to find what's your love

button, what's your passion work.

742

: 00:42:17

Right and it might be I use Johnny

as an example and everything.

743

: 00:42:22

That I talk about, but, you know,

if Johnny is not neighbor next door

744

: 00:42:26

and Johnny needs an apple every day.

745

: 00:42:29

To go to school and to function.

746

: 00:42:32

Me giving Johnny that apple

is a form of philanthropy.

747

: 00:42:36

Tony Tidbit: I love that.

748

: 00:42:37

Iris Ivana Grant: Right.

749

: 00:42:37

If Johnny comes home and he

needs help with his homework, I

750

: 00:42:40

may not go to an organization.

751

: 00:42:42

I may not have the money to get,

I may not even recognize that I'm

752

: 00:42:46

capable of giving in my budget.

753

: 00:42:49

I may not have, um, all the finances

in a row, but I go and I make sure

754

: 00:42:54

that Johnny can do, I can help him

with his math homework every day.

755

: 00:42:57

That is a form of philanthropy.

756

: 00:42:59

Tony Tidbit: Right.

757

: 00:42:59

Iris Ivana Grant: because

it's the love of humanity.

758

: 00:43:01

So it is me enacting my right

to give and to give abundantly.

759

: 00:43:07

I can help him 365 days a

year for the next 15 years.

760

: 00:43:12

I have given tremendously,

I've added value and had impact

761

: 00:43:16

that is, um, life changing.

762

: 00:43:19

Right, right.

763

: 00:43:20

Because the whole point is

to change people's lives.

764

: 00:43:23

Right.

765

: 00:43:23

To help them from wherever

they are to get where they are.

766

: 00:43:28

And there is this misnomer that

the poor always want to stay poor.

767

: 00:43:32

And they always want you to hand

them something that they always

768

: 00:43:36

want to be asked in an ask position.

769

: 00:43:40

And really, you know, that's capitalism.

770

: 00:43:42

Like that, that's sales.

771

: 00:43:43

That's, um, that's me putting something

in front of you that I always want

772

: 00:43:46

to keep you dependent on something.

773

: 00:43:47

The people in the

community that really need.

774

: 00:43:51

They're looking for that moment of help.

775

: 00:43:53

And, and I liken it to us because

I don't know a human being ever

776

: 00:43:58

who did not need help in something

from someone from somewhere.

777

: 00:44:03

Tony Tidbit: Exactly.

778

: 00:44:04

You know, one of the things

that I would love for you.

779

: 00:44:07

I mean, I could just sit

here and listen to y'all day.

780

: 00:44:09

Okay.

781

: 00:44:10

Because this is awesome.

782

: 00:44:12

Talk a little bit about

the, um, the, how giving.

783

: 00:44:19

Right?

784

: 00:44:20

Is, uh, a universal, there's a

universal law when it comes to giving.

785

: 00:44:26

Because one of the things people

struggle with, and you talked about

786

: 00:44:31

it earlier in your walk, right?

787

: 00:44:33

Although it didn't stop you.

788

: 00:44:35

Sometimes you can get taken advantage of.

789

: 00:44:37

You know, I remember my pastor, my church.

790

: 00:44:39

I remember, if you don't mind me

telling this quick little story.

791

: 00:44:42

I remember, um, one

time I was complaining.

792

: 00:44:44

You know, I had loaned my family member,

uh, loaned my family member some money

793

: 00:44:48

a few times and never got it back.

794

: 00:44:50

And you know what he said to me?

795

: 00:44:51

He said, Tony, You don't loan

money, you give money, all right?

796

: 00:44:55

When you give, you're not

expecting it back, all right?

797

: 00:44:59

So then this way, you ain't got

to worry about being mad at them,

798

: 00:45:03

or a relationship is broke, blah,

blah, blah, blah, blah, right?

799

: 00:45:06

I've, that was, I took, I learned

that, and that's what I do.

800

: 00:45:10

However, there's a ton of people

that have been taken advantage of.

801

: 00:45:13

And look, if you're a giver, You're

going to get taken advantage of.

802

: 00:45:16

All right.

803

: 00:45:16

That's just the way that's part

of the, that's also universal law.

804

: 00:45:19

All right.

805

: 00:45:20

However, however, some people have

stopped even volunteering their time

806

: 00:45:29

because they think that somebody is trying

to get over on them or it's a racket.

807

: 00:45:33

So can you speak a little bit about how

giving not only helps the other person,

808

: 00:45:40

but also helps the person that gives.

809

: 00:45:45

Iris Ivana Grant: Man,

you said so much there.

810

: 00:45:47

Um, I remember a friend in college.

811

: 00:45:51

She, um, she used to, it was a PK thing.

812

: 00:45:55

She, um, she didn't want to go to church

anymore because she said the people at

813

: 00:45:59

the church that she went to was mean.

814

: 00:46:01

They were mean.

815

: 00:46:02

And her mom said, well, you know, you

don't stop going to the food market

816

: 00:46:06

because the cashier is having a bad day.

817

: 00:46:08

It might be rude to you.

818

: 00:46:11

You still go to the food market, you

just change your food market, you know,

819

: 00:46:14

stop eating because someone's rude.

820

: 00:46:17

Um, and I think that we do, uh,

the giving is a, it's a law.

821

: 00:46:23

It's a law of attraction.

822

: 00:46:24

It is attached to the

law of attraction, right?

823

: 00:46:28

We are born with the nature to give.

824

: 00:46:30

What we do with that in our walk,

in our journey is our responsibility

825

: 00:46:36

where I call that, that's the

self actualization button.

826

: 00:46:39

Right.

827

: 00:46:39

You have to remember, I was telling

you, I struggled with holding on to the

828

: 00:46:43

innocence of my heart because I was a

giver and everybody was at that time.

829

: 00:46:49

And that space was like,

you don't belong here.

830

: 00:46:51

Um, why are you doing this?

831

: 00:46:54

And I think people have a

responsibility to look at their journey.

832

: 00:46:56

Everything that happens in your journey

is to make you, it's not to break you.

833

: 00:47:01

And you have to use it to

analyze and push through.

834

: 00:47:07

Right.

835

: 00:47:07

Um, I think for those who are givers

who have felt defeated, um, have felt

836

: 00:47:13

like, you know, it doesn't come back.

837

: 00:47:15

I think, I think you have to look

at how you're looking at it, how

838

: 00:47:21

you're viewing it because it doesn't

come back the way you put it out.

839

: 00:47:25

My God, it definitely does not come back

the way you put it out, but it comes back.

840

: 00:47:30

And so you have a

responsibility of self growth.

841

: 00:47:35

So look and say, what is

it that I enjoy doing?

842

: 00:47:38

If, if nobody sees it, if I don't get

acknowledgement for it, if I give it

843

: 00:47:44

and I'm only wanting to get back and

I gotta, I gotta have a flash that

844

: 00:47:48

everybody has to know that I'm doing it.

845

: 00:47:50

I would ask you to please stop doing it.

846

: 00:47:52

Because you just need, you just

need to be an influencer and I

847

: 00:47:57

just have like, some, some light.

848

: 00:47:58

You don't need to really

say that you're a giver.

849

: 00:48:02

Because givers give and

they give from their heart.

850

: 00:48:05

Um, and nobody needs to know about it.

851

: 00:48:08

They, you do have to be discerning, right?

852

: 00:48:13

And you get lessons in that.

853

: 00:48:15

I think we all get lessons in how

to be discerning to see, um, when

854

: 00:48:21

we give and when we don't give.

855

: 00:48:22

My nieces know that when they're

in the car with me, nine times

856

: 00:48:26

outta 10, I'm gonna stop and.

857

: 00:48:29

I'm going to give change or whatever.

858

: 00:48:31

I have something that I have to a person.

859

: 00:48:34

Cause I can feel it.

860

: 00:48:35

I've been in this so long,

you know, you train yourself.

861

: 00:48:37

I can, I can feel, man, I need

to give that person something.

862

: 00:48:41

That's, this is my universal connect.

863

: 00:48:44

Right.

864

: 00:48:45

And then there's some people I

drive past and I'm like, Hmm.

865

: 00:48:49

No, because it's not, it might

be the car behind these, but

866

: 00:48:53

to do that, but it's not mine.

867

: 00:48:55

Right.

868

: 00:48:55

And so there is this

element of give and take.

869

: 00:49:01

Um, I have been blessed in my life

because I'm a giver and a lot of times

870

: 00:49:06

you, you learn how and when to give

because you do get taken advantage of it.

871

: 00:49:10

But, you know, you, you, you have to

work out, you know, That mechanism,

872

: 00:49:14

like everything else, and I would

encourage people to stop, stop the wheel

873

: 00:49:22

to figure out what is their passion.

874

: 00:49:26

What is it that they love to do

that they can support somebody?

875

: 00:49:29

And how is it that you're

connecting with someone else?

876

: 00:49:33

Right if you know what it's

like to be extremely depressed

877

: 00:49:37

to go through something.

878

: 00:49:39

Art, you know, it's, it's just a matter

of giving as a matter of sitting and

879

: 00:49:42

having a conversation with somebody,

recognizing what you see, cause you

880

: 00:49:47

know, what you've been there, right?

881

: 00:49:50

Listening to that inner space that

says, how can I help freely without

882

: 00:49:57

expecting in sales to get a product

back for the exchange, right?

883

: 00:50:05

Um, If you can't afford to give

to someone, you know, then, then

884

: 00:50:12

look at how else you can help them.

885

: 00:50:13

Right.

886

: 00:50:15

Chris P. Reed: So, let me, let me ask

you this though, because is it incumbent

887

: 00:50:18

upon you, your firm or the industry to

create a greater sense of visibility?

888

: 00:50:25

When it comes to the outputs, because

1 of the reasons why people like

889

: 00:50:29

I give, because I have it to give.

890

: 00:50:31

Right.

891

: 00:50:31

But I do know people that are in

my similar situation that say, you

892

: 00:50:35

don't know where that money going.

893

: 00:50:36

You don't know where

that, whatever is going.

894

: 00:50:38

You don't know where them

coaches, them socks, or you

895

: 00:50:40

dropping off all that stuff, man.

896

: 00:50:42

You don't know what they're doing.

897

: 00:50:43

They, they, they selling

that somewhere else.

898

: 00:50:45

And you gotta let that go.

899

: 00:50:47

Like I'm like, man, they can have this.

900

: 00:50:48

I don't want it no more.

901

: 00:50:49

I've emotionally moved on.

902

: 00:50:51

It's not benefiting me at all.

903

: 00:50:53

But for us as, as black folks, for

real, like, no, we get so, we get so,

904

: 00:50:57

you know, Oh, caught with tracking the

results of it, you know, but is that,

905

: 00:51:02

is that something when you get from the

philanthropic levels where people given

906

: 00:51:08

10 percent or 20 percent or they given

like a big check, should they have the

907

: 00:51:13

right to see how that lands or is it a

situation where you just let go and let

908

: 00:51:19

God and you know, Jesus take the wheel

and you just, you know, hope the best.

909

: 00:51:23

How do you feel about that?

910

: 00:51:26

Iris Ivana Grant: So, um, in, in our

industry, um, just like doctors take

911

: 00:51:31

a Hippocratic oath, uh, professional

fundraisers do take an oath and it's

912

: 00:51:35

called the bill of rights for donors.

913

: 00:51:38

We are responsible to ensure our

job is that if we ask, if we are

914

: 00:51:43

part of that, ask if we're building

that strategy, our job is to ensure

915

: 00:51:47

that the donors, um, investment.

916

: 00:51:51

Because it is an investment of time.

917

: 00:51:53

It is an investment of funds, um, a

product, whatever it is that we are

918

: 00:51:59

responsible to manage that responsibly.

919

: 00:52:03

So, yes, the government does require

that the state's laws require that,

920

: 00:52:08

um, that there is transparency.

921

: 00:52:11

I fully believe in transparency

because it's business.

922

: 00:52:15

And so we are trained in how

to write, uh, a memorandum of

923

: 00:52:19

agreement, um, uh, gift agreements.

924

: 00:52:22

There's, there's, there is, as you

said, when you took the fundraising

925

: 00:52:26

class, there's a whole lot of legality

926

: 00:52:28

that we are trained in and

transparency is absolutely.

927

: 00:52:32

If you, especially if you're giving,

if you're giving me 10 million.

928

: 00:52:37

Yes, absolutely.

929

: 00:52:38

I need to make sure that your 10

million that we are in agreement.

930

: 00:52:43

On what is happening, how it's

being given when it's being given.

931

: 00:52:48

We are working on that together.

932

: 00:52:50

Right when we are, um, in a space

that individuals are giving monthly

933

: 00:52:56

contributions or donating coats or shoes.

934

: 00:53:01

Absolutely if you ask the organization,

they will tell you I don't know.

935

: 00:53:06

I don't know 1 nonprofit

that will not do that.

936

: 00:53:08

If they don't do that, that might

be an organization that I would

937

: 00:53:12

say, okay, let's take a 2nd look.

938

: 00:53:15

Right?

939

: 00:53:16

But traditionally, they're, they're open.

940

: 00:53:19

They want you to know

what the, the impact is.

941

: 00:53:22

And we do have a responsibility.

942

: 00:53:23

We take that professional level of giving.

943

: 00:53:27

Take that very seriously.

944

: 00:53:29

Now, what you do have is, is, you

know, Chris, we talked about there's

945

: 00:53:32

been, there's a difference when

you talk about benevolence, right?

946

: 00:53:36

Right.

947

: 00:53:36

So every single faith on the planet

has some form of benevolence.

948

: 00:53:42

It's, it's all different, but

there's a form of benevolence.

949

: 00:53:46

Um, and when it comes to benevolence,

if I'm giving socks, I don't care

950

: 00:53:52

what they're doing with the socks,

951

: 00:53:54

Chris P. Reed: right?

952

: 00:53:54

I'm giving

953

: 00:53:55

Iris Ivana Grant: socks, right?

954

: 00:53:57

Um, when, when you're talking about

people's money, um, and the time

955

: 00:54:01

invested, and there's an exchange in that.

956

: 00:54:04

Yes, the transparency should be there,

but I often looked at the skeptics.

957

: 00:54:09

Like, how does this, how does this,

that information better your life?

958

: 00:54:13

How does that make you more

fulfilled to be discouraged

959

: 00:54:16

about giving the socks, right?

960

: 00:54:18

Right.

961

: 00:54:19

Why is, why is the hang up

on the giving the socks?

962

: 00:54:22

Typically for me, people that have

done that is because they've been

963

: 00:54:26

hurt or they just aren't a giving

person they like to receive, but

964

: 00:54:32

they're not, they're not trusting you.

965

: 00:54:34

They're from Missouri.

966

: 00:54:34

They want you to show them everything.

967

: 00:54:36

They don't, they're not

trusting you in the giving.

968

: 00:54:39

Right.

969

: 00:54:39

And typically I find is because

people are just, that's just a

970

: 00:54:43

person that's just not trusting.

971

: 00:54:45

Um, um, And when we talk about

nonprofits of nonprofits that are

972

: 00:54:49

501c3s, um, at a church level,

973

: 00:54:54

we're taught on one space

to give freely, right?

974

: 00:54:58

Because that's good.

975

: 00:55:00

But then we have all those other

situations that come in that make us have

976

: 00:55:06

this, you know, deniable plausibility of,

like, what, what we should or should not.

977

: 00:55:11

Give and people don't regulate that

self actualization because for me, when

978

: 00:55:16

I give, this is just my personal note.

979

: 00:55:18

When I give, um, it's, it's not

my business to know what you do.

980

: 00:55:26

You asked me and I discerned

that you had a need and I gave.

981

: 00:55:32

So when Tony talks about the

law of attraction, what you do

982

: 00:55:36

is what you want to attract.

983

: 00:55:39

What I did was I gave.

984

: 00:55:41

Because you asked and I

had the ability to give

985

: 00:55:44

Tony Tidbit: correct

986

: 00:55:45

Iris Ivana Grant: right now, if you

come from me, that might be different.

987

: 00:55:48

Right?

988

: 00:55:49

But but it's, it's, it's such a

personal thing and you give it

989

: 00:55:54

out of love and out of humanity.

990

: 00:55:56

Right?

991

: 00:55:57

Right.

992

: 00:56:00

Chris P. Reed: That's a great

message for, for people of color.

993

: 00:56:02

Uh, my question to you specifically,

uh, lastly, is with the Genesi group.

994

: 00:56:08

Is it time, talent and treasure, or is

it just treasure that you guys focus on

995

: 00:56:12

what can I look to your website or look

to your group to invest in if I was,

996

: 00:56:17

if I want it to be newly philanthropic,

is it, is it, how does that, how do I

997

: 00:56:22

make that connection and get my way?

998

: 00:56:24

So,

999

: 00:56:25

Iris Ivana Grant: so

fortunate, so fortunate.

: 1000

00:56:27,120 --> 00:56:29,404

I see we are a for profit company.

: 1001

00:56:29,675 --> 00:56:31,205

We have a nonprofit arm.

: 1002

00:56:31,205 --> 00:56:31,295

Mm-Hmm.

: 1003

00:56:31,830 --> 00:56:35,765

. Um, our nonprofit arm is our

philanthropic perspective.

: 1004

00:56:36,095 --> 00:56:40,925

And so what we do is we don't take any

contributions in per se for ourself.

: 1005

00:56:41,345 --> 00:56:46,775

We, um, we make sure in the

ecosystems that we build on the

: 1006

00:56:46,775 --> 00:56:51,610

for-profit side, that they are

inclusive of all of those mechanisms.

: 1007

00:56:51,710 --> 00:56:52,250

That's good.

: 1008

00:56:52,320 --> 00:56:52,610

Okay.

: 1009

00:56:52,655 --> 00:56:58,055

So it's not just telling a nonprofit

or a corporation or individual.

: 1010

00:56:58,920 --> 00:56:59,750

Give it this way.

: 1011

00:56:59,960 --> 00:57:02,270

We look at, like, what

is it that you can do?

: 1012

00:57:02,800 --> 00:57:04,510

How is it that you want to do that?

: 1013

00:57:04,800 --> 00:57:09,730

And then a lot of times that ecosystem

we pair the nonprofit with the

: 1014

00:57:09,730 --> 00:57:14,879

corporation with the individual because

we also believe very much in nonprofits

: 1015

00:57:14,890 --> 00:57:17,140

being having lifetime sustainability.

: 1016

00:57:17,400 --> 00:57:23,940

So we work on 1 of my pet peeves is

them not being so heavily grant funded.

: 1017

00:57:24,975 --> 00:57:30,105

Right we work on what's the relationship

and building in that system that

: 1018

00:57:30,235 --> 00:57:32,045

okay, you do need individual donors.

: 1019

00:57:32,045 --> 00:57:34,404

You do need a corporation to support you.

: 1020

00:57:34,405 --> 00:57:36,195

You do need an individual.

: 1021

00:57:36,265 --> 00:57:37,384

You do need volunteers.

: 1022

00:57:37,915 --> 00:57:42,945

So we build that out on our on our

corporate side on our nonprofit side.

: 1023

00:57:42,955 --> 00:57:44,455

That is our social good piece.

: 1024

00:57:45,935 --> 00:57:47,885

And we spend a lot of time training.

: 1025

00:57:48,470 --> 00:57:55,340

Nonprofit leaders as to, um, how to be

more independent and assertive and how

: 1026

00:57:55,340 --> 00:57:57,610

to look to be able to generate revenue.

: 1027

00:57:58,070 --> 00:58:03,789

That helps, um, truly, truly the

lift on the fundraising piece

: 1028

00:58:03,829 --> 00:58:05,489

so that they can be sustainable.

: 1029

00:58:05,760 --> 00:58:07,370

And a lot of times they have.

: 1030

00:58:07,860 --> 00:58:11,510

Um, products or services

that can be fee based.

: 1031

00:58:12,340 --> 00:58:17,310

That can be very supportive to help them

so that they are not so committed to

: 1032

00:58:17,310 --> 00:58:23,020

just having donations or volunteers, um,

or grant funding and the traditional.

: 1033

00:58:23,670 --> 00:58:28,779

The traditional formats of granting

and fundraising, and that's our give

: 1034

00:58:29,069 --> 00:58:30,810

because we know in the industry.

: 1035

00:58:31,490 --> 00:58:35,570

That is hard work and so we,

we try to lift on both sides.

: 1036

00:58:36,440 --> 00:58:36,720

Tony Tidbit: Cool.

: 1037

00:58:37,280 --> 00:58:41,620

So tell us real quickly about,

you know, social entrepreneurs.

: 1038

00:58:41,620 --> 00:58:43,760

You brought this up earlier.

: 1039

00:58:44,110 --> 00:58:47,970

Um, just so everybody's on the same

page, what is a social entrepreneur

: 1040

00:58:48,350 --> 00:58:50,089

and how are they changing the game?

: 1041

00:58:52,410 --> 00:58:53,040

Iris Ivana Grant: Social entrepreneurs.

: 1042

00:58:53,920 --> 00:59:02,570

I love it because, um, they are

neither strict capitalists and they're

: 1043

00:59:02,570 --> 00:59:05,550

neither, um, nonprofit leaders.

: 1044

00:59:06,450 --> 00:59:11,660

And so they have businesses that they

want to perform social good within their

: 1045

00:59:11,710 --> 00:59:18,209

businesses, their profit margins speak

to them being able to diversify how

: 1046

00:59:18,219 --> 00:59:24,140

they give, um, and how they even wrap

around their services or their product.

: 1047

00:59:25,270 --> 00:59:30,220

Um, but they do not know the

nonprofit industry, right?

: 1048

00:59:30,730 --> 00:59:33,589

So I'll use Chris's socks as an example.

: 1049

00:59:33,630 --> 00:59:34,999

If I'm a sock company.

: 1050

00:59:35,635 --> 00:59:40,155

Giving away a 100 pair of

socks may not be the best way.

: 1051

00:59:40,995 --> 00:59:45,245

To give to the community, but they're

giving what they have and and they're

: 1052

00:59:45,335 --> 00:59:47,214

they're giving the way they feel.

: 1053

00:59:47,215 --> 00:59:51,435

They mean, and social entrepreneurs

are very, very interesting because

: 1054

00:59:51,435 --> 00:59:53,535

I do believe since we've had.

: 1055

00:59:54,060 --> 00:59:58,710

Um, the last three presidential and,

and governmental administrations.

: 1056

00:59:59,190 --> 01:00:05,490

Um, the pandemic and then the influx of

how economies are shifting right now.

: 1057

01:00:06,150 --> 01:00:10,890

Um, social entrepreneurs are

that new wave of industry, the

: 1058

01:00:10,890 --> 01:00:12,180

industrial revolution is over.

: 1059

01:00:13,640 --> 01:00:17,290

And so people are looking

at life differently.

: 1060

01:00:17,350 --> 01:00:20,820

This next generation that's coming up,

they talk differently, they socialize

: 1061

01:00:20,820 --> 01:00:22,530

differently, they engage differently.

: 1062

01:00:23,030 --> 01:00:28,250

Um, we connect with them because we

use technology to enhance some of the

: 1063

01:00:28,259 --> 01:00:32,770

things that we do, and those social

entrepreneurs are looking at business

: 1064

01:00:33,250 --> 01:00:34,830

from a very different perspective.

: 1065

01:00:34,980 --> 01:00:41,019

They are looking at it with the component

of truly, how do I give to my neighbor?

: 1066

01:00:41,740 --> 01:00:46,380

How do I give to my community and they're

building that into their business model?

: 1067

01:00:46,790 --> 01:00:47,140

Right?

: 1068

01:00:47,490 --> 01:00:49,460

So, yes, they're going to get a profit.

: 1069

01:00:49,529 --> 01:00:49,799

Yes.

: 1070

01:00:49,830 --> 01:00:51,580

They any business, anybody.

: 1071

01:00:51,610 --> 01:00:52,750

I'm an entrepreneur, right?

: 1072

01:00:52,800 --> 01:00:57,110

That's why I have a, uh, incorporated

side and a nonprofit side, right?

: 1073

01:00:57,159 --> 01:01:00,039

I'm an entrepreneur, but they are.

: 1074

01:01:00,679 --> 01:01:04,879

Blending and bleeding

together that profit.

: 1075

01:01:05,349 --> 01:01:06,209

And that gives.

: 1076

01:01:06,210 --> 01:01:10,410

Um, they may not always get it right

because when you're starting out,

: 1077

01:01:10,460 --> 01:01:14,100

you're doing passion work and you

don't know either side entrepreneurs.

: 1078

01:01:14,990 --> 01:01:16,990

Don't fit into either world, right?

: 1079

01:01:17,019 --> 01:01:19,720

They are a vertical unto themselves.

: 1080

01:01:20,280 --> 01:01:23,260

And so they are looking at how to give.

: 1081

01:01:24,269 --> 01:01:27,010

And balance it, they understand.

: 1082

01:01:27,400 --> 01:01:31,770

That that principle, they understand

that universal law of giving.

: 1083

01:01:32,420 --> 01:01:32,830

Right.

: 1084

01:01:33,250 --> 01:01:36,190

Um, and they understand that if

they're giving much, they are

: 1085

01:01:36,200 --> 01:01:42,230

required to give much, um, they may

not know, always know how right.

: 1086

01:01:42,270 --> 01:01:48,579

And so we really are speaking loudly to,

um, social entrepreneurs, especially here

: 1087

01:01:48,579 --> 01:01:54,550

in Atlanta, um, because culturally, this

is, uh, an amazing city when we talk about

: 1088

01:01:54,900 --> 01:01:59,120

black entrepreneurs, um, and they're,

they're looking to do things differently.

: 1089

01:01:59,485 --> 01:02:02,005

And they are not interested

in the status quo.

: 1090

01:02:03,065 --> 01:02:03,355

Right.

: 1091

01:02:03,815 --> 01:02:10,745

So I want them to be as successful as

they can be, um, in terms of not just

: 1092

01:02:10,745 --> 01:02:14,294

doing the business, but when they're,

when they collaborate and they are

: 1093

01:02:14,294 --> 01:02:19,584

very collaborative, they are interested

in the infrastructure of giving.

: 1094

01:02:20,984 --> 01:02:25,275

Um, and that is where we

really have been focusing.

: 1095

01:02:25,680 --> 01:02:29,380

Conversations and trainings,

um, and engagement with,

: 1096

01:02:30,560 --> 01:02:32,780

Tony Tidbit: you know, we're

running out of time, but I want to,

: 1097

01:02:32,830 --> 01:02:34,729

I want to get your point of view.

: 1098

01:02:35,580 --> 01:02:41,459

Um, you know, on, you said

something a minute ago.

: 1099

01:02:42,860 --> 01:02:49,690

Um, how many people in the industry and

you're in, in your industry look like you?

: 1100

01:02:50,280 --> 01:02:50,680

Iris Ivana Grant: Wow.

: 1101

01:02:51,690 --> 01:02:55,010

Um, in Atlanta, a lot, right?

: 1102

01:02:56,695 --> 01:03:04,825

Nationally, I would say, wow, maybe

a 10 percent globally less than that.

: 1103

01:03:05,435 --> 01:03:10,755

And I did serve on a, on a, uh, an inch,

a global board international board.

: 1104

01:03:11,315 --> 01:03:16,205

Um, and out of the 20 people, there

were three of us, two of us from

: 1105

01:03:16,205 --> 01:03:18,085

Atlanta, which was really interesting.

: 1106

01:03:18,735 --> 01:03:24,505

Um, what you find is you find a

lot of unofficial fundraisers.

: 1107

01:03:26,160 --> 01:03:29,680

Right in our community on

the professional level.

: 1108

01:03:29,680 --> 01:03:32,270

We, we, it is not an industry run by.

: 1109

01:03:33,279 --> 01:03:38,040

By us, it is it is run typically

by our white male counterparts.

: 1110

01:03:38,040 --> 01:03:44,500

Um, and it's not an industry

that you will find us in a lot.

: 1111

01:03:44,950 --> 01:03:48,530

And when you do find us, you

usually find us in the same

: 1112

01:03:48,530 --> 01:03:49,970

positions you would in corporate.

: 1113

01:03:51,520 --> 01:03:51,990

Tony Tidbit: Got it.

: 1114

01:03:52,240 --> 01:03:59,480

So no different than corporate America

in terms of representation, but the same,

: 1115

01:04:00,189 --> 01:04:06,230

um, how should I say challenges that

you would have in corporate America?

: 1116

01:04:06,949 --> 01:04:07,610

Is that accurate?

: 1117

01:04:07,620 --> 01:04:07,810

Iris Ivana Grant: Yes.

: 1118

01:04:08,840 --> 01:04:09,110

Yes.

: 1119

01:04:09,800 --> 01:04:13,250

It looks, and it looks very

different, um, because it is a, uh,

: 1120

01:04:13,320 --> 01:04:14,950

the industry is a different animal.

: 1121

01:04:15,720 --> 01:04:19,950

Um, I will say you do find us giving.

: 1122

01:04:20,510 --> 01:04:25,680

But typically it is community

based church, church based, um,

: 1123

01:04:25,740 --> 01:04:29,630

and I don't find a lot of people

across the board in, in any race.

: 1124

01:04:30,420 --> 01:04:34,590

Um, any ethnicity really

seeing philanthropy as being

: 1125

01:04:34,590 --> 01:04:35,980

their subcultural lifestyle.

: 1126

01:04:37,740 --> 01:04:42,760

Right, they're athletes, they're

vegans, they're musicians.

: 1127

01:04:44,150 --> 01:04:48,300

But we, we go back to that classification

that unless I can write a major check.

: 1128

01:04:48,880 --> 01:04:49,930

I'm not a philanthropist.

: 1129

01:04:50,090 --> 01:04:51,529

I've got, I can volunteer.

: 1130

01:04:51,560 --> 01:04:55,400

I can give you a couple of dollars

on the offering plate or, you know, I

: 1131

01:04:55,400 --> 01:05:03,570

can, I can maybe make a launch or, but

professionally and personally, we, we

: 1132

01:05:03,570 --> 01:05:06,150

have a lot that we can give and we can do.

: 1133

01:05:06,190 --> 01:05:10,820

And as a community, we really should

and I believe the times are getting so

: 1134

01:05:10,820 --> 01:05:13,010

serious that we should really reconsider.

: 1135

01:05:13,040 --> 01:05:13,310

Right.

: 1136

01:05:13,455 --> 01:05:18,845

Um, on every level, how we are giving,

how we're engaging, where we're putting

: 1137

01:05:18,845 --> 01:05:26,195

our dollars, um, how we're investing those

dollars, um, in, in the philanthropic

: 1138

01:05:26,424 --> 01:05:28,194

space, how we're helping our communities.

: 1139

01:05:29,294 --> 01:05:32,195

Tony Tidbit: So final question

for you, cause you just gave a

: 1140

01:05:32,195 --> 01:05:35,505

lot to us and our audience today.

: 1141

01:05:36,095 --> 01:05:36,835

Okay.

: 1142

01:05:37,225 --> 01:05:40,545

Um, how can we, how can BEP help you Iris?

: 1143

01:05:43,165 --> 01:05:47,745

Iris Ivana Grant: I would love for you

all to share the word about Janessa Um,

: 1144

01:05:47,965 --> 01:05:52,394

and the reason why is because we, we,

we are a little bit of a fish out of

: 1145

01:05:52,395 --> 01:05:52,775

Tony Tidbit: water.

: 1146

01:05:54,015 --> 01:05:54,275

Iris Ivana Grant: Right.

: 1147

01:05:54,275 --> 01:05:58,455

We are bringing, um, a different

way of looking at things

: 1148

01:05:58,455 --> 01:05:59,585

and thinking about things.

: 1149

01:05:59,695 --> 01:06:02,755

And so, um, we are going to be starting.

: 1150

01:06:03,200 --> 01:06:09,710

This year, um, in August, I believe

here in Atlanta, a series of nonprofit

: 1151

01:06:09,710 --> 01:06:15,040

trainings for and social entrepreneur

trainings to really help them think

: 1152

01:06:15,140 --> 01:06:16,689

strategically and differently.

: 1153

01:06:17,220 --> 01:06:22,250

Um, we, although we provide our services

for anyone, um, we really do want

: 1154

01:06:22,250 --> 01:06:27,940

to be able to take this message to

that next generation and help impact

: 1155

01:06:27,940 --> 01:06:32,020

them as they start their businesses

as they start making that shift.

: 1156

01:06:33,720 --> 01:06:35,330

Because it's going to be needed.

: 1157

01:06:35,770 --> 01:06:39,010

We have some turbulent,

hopefully, I'm turbulent.

: 1158

01:06:39,090 --> 01:06:43,160

I hope, but, but I think we have

some turbulent times ahead of us in

: 1159

01:06:43,160 --> 01:06:44,979

terms of community community need.

: 1160

01:06:45,629 --> 01:06:51,130

Right and economics, and we want

business owners and young people, we want

: 1161

01:06:51,130 --> 01:06:55,029

nonprofits and founders to be prepared.

: 1162

01:06:55,680 --> 01:07:00,109

To lead the way in the vertical

in the industry of nonprofit work.

: 1163

01:07:00,570 --> 01:07:01,589

As to what they mean.

: 1164

01:07:02,160 --> 01:07:05,270

But able to be able to build

those strategies, right?

: 1165

01:07:05,290 --> 01:07:09,540

Not just, not just the ask, but how

are you looking at your infrastructure?

: 1166

01:07:10,230 --> 01:07:13,399

How are you engaging differently

and preparing for the future?

: 1167

01:07:13,620 --> 01:07:16,420

Because your communities are going to

change, the needs are going to change,

: 1168

01:07:16,910 --> 01:07:20,679

and how are you preparing to meet that

head on with your partners and, and, and

: 1169

01:07:20,680 --> 01:07:25,580

the stakeholders who are investing, um,

philanthropically in your organization,

: 1170

01:07:25,590 --> 01:07:26,830

whether it's time, talent, or

: 1171

01:07:26,830 --> 01:07:31,290

Tony Tidbit: Well, that's

an easy thing to do, Iris.

: 1172

01:07:31,740 --> 01:07:34,770

So we're definitely gonna spread the

word actually we're gonna spread the

: 1173

01:07:34,770 --> 01:07:39,729

word by this podcast going out and

you know Everyone being able to hear

: 1174

01:07:39,729 --> 01:07:45,019

your voice, you know your message

But more importantly your passion and

: 1175

01:07:45,019 --> 01:07:47,899

your love for your fellow human being.

: 1176

01:07:48,380 --> 01:07:54,000

I mean if Everyone could have that type

of passion and love my girl this world

: 1177

01:07:54,020 --> 01:07:59,765

would be so different So I am and I

know I'm speaking for Chris You We've

: 1178

01:07:59,765 --> 01:08:04,215

been blessed today and I'm going to say

this and I don't think I need to say it.

: 1179

01:08:04,575 --> 01:08:10,215

Just keep going out in the world, my

friend, because you're changing hearts.

: 1180

01:08:10,224 --> 01:08:15,024

You're helping people and yes,

yes, you, your company is great

: 1181

01:08:15,025 --> 01:08:19,314

and you're doing a lot of great

things, but who you are as a person.

: 1182

01:08:19,925 --> 01:08:25,005

Just your presence, just being

around that's philanthropy.

: 1183

01:08:25,104 --> 01:08:28,035

Okay, just your words, your love.

: 1184

01:08:28,804 --> 01:08:31,575

That's, that's what you are right in.

: 1185

01:08:31,604 --> 01:08:34,434

And at the end of the day,

you came on this planet.

: 1186

01:08:35,115 --> 01:08:37,049

God gave you exactly what you need.

: 1187

01:08:37,710 --> 01:08:41,300

What you are and you found it

and you've been running with it.

: 1188

01:08:41,670 --> 01:08:42,490

And guess what?

: 1189

01:08:42,550 --> 01:08:46,090

We're so glad for you and a

black executive perspective

: 1190

01:08:46,090 --> 01:08:48,318

podcast wants to run with you.

: 1191

01:08:48,319 --> 01:08:53,019

So thank you again, from the bottom

of our hearts of your generosity to

: 1192

01:08:53,029 --> 01:08:56,440

come on a black executive perspective

podcast to share your perspective.

: 1193

01:08:58,035 --> 01:08:58,415

Iris Ivana Grant: Thank you.

: 1194

01:08:58,434 --> 01:08:59,225

It was my pleasure.

: 1195

01:08:59,225 --> 01:09:03,755

You're, you're, uh, uh, your team

is amazing and you guys are so fun.

: 1196

01:09:04,205 --> 01:09:06,175

And thank you for letting me just be me.

: 1197

01:09:06,214 --> 01:09:06,974

I appreciate

: 1198

01:09:06,984 --> 01:09:07,015

Tony Tidbit: that.

: 1199

01:09:07,024 --> 01:09:08,375

Oh, well, thank you.

: 1200

01:09:08,375 --> 01:09:09,745

Really appreciate it.

: 1201

01:09:10,065 --> 01:09:13,725

And now I think it's

time for Tony's tidbit.

: 1202

01:09:13,904 --> 01:09:16,124

It is Tony's tidbit time.

: 1203

01:09:16,274 --> 01:09:18,885

And as you always know, we

always give an inspirational

: 1204

01:09:18,885 --> 01:09:21,615

quote based on today's episode.

: 1205

01:09:21,904 --> 01:09:24,375

And so today's quote is by John Bunyan.

: 1206

01:09:25,005 --> 01:09:30,725

And the quote states, you have not lived

today until you have done something

: 1207

01:09:31,225 --> 01:09:34,154

for someone who can never repay you.

: 1208

01:09:35,283 --> 01:09:39,654

And if you heard today from

Iris Ivana Grant, she did

: 1209

01:09:39,654 --> 01:09:41,725

something for us and you today.

: 1210

01:09:42,193 --> 01:09:46,285

And I don't know if we can repay

her, but what we can do is push her

: 1211

01:09:46,285 --> 01:09:49,694

message out and help other individuals.

: 1212

01:09:50,160 --> 01:09:52,290

So, thank you again, Ivana.

: 1213

01:09:52,550 --> 01:09:57,210

So, I hope today you enjoyed today's

episode, The Evolution of Giving, How

: 1214

01:09:57,210 --> 01:10:04,809

Philanthropy Shapes Our World, from our

guest, fabulous guest, Iris Ivana Grant.

: 1215

01:10:05,410 --> 01:10:08,520

Um, I think it's now, Time for us.

: 1216

01:10:08,550 --> 01:10:09,960

This is a big thing for us.

: 1217

01:10:09,960 --> 01:10:13,840

Our call to action, you know, here at

a black executive perspective podcast,

: 1218

01:10:14,190 --> 01:10:16,650

we want to change the conversation.

: 1219

01:10:16,650 --> 01:10:18,280

We want to bring people together.

: 1220

01:10:18,529 --> 01:10:23,250

So we're asking everyone to incorporate

our call to action called less.

: 1221

01:10:23,835 --> 01:10:28,755

L E S S, and L stands for learn.

: 1222

01:10:29,115 --> 01:10:33,075

You want to learn about people that's

not, that doesn't look like you.

: 1223

01:10:33,345 --> 01:10:34,614

Different cultures.

: 1224

01:10:34,665 --> 01:10:37,705

Because when you learn,

you enlighten yourself.

: 1225

01:10:38,090 --> 01:10:41,410

Chris P. Reed: And the E is for

empathy, to understand diverse

: 1226

01:10:41,430 --> 01:10:45,570

perspectives and allow yourself to

be philanthropic due to that empathy.

: 1227

01:10:46,109 --> 01:10:46,929

Tony Tidbit: Exactly.

: 1228

01:10:47,020 --> 01:10:49,340

And then S stands for share.

: 1229

01:10:49,818 --> 01:10:54,199

You want to share what you learned to your

other brothers and sisters and friends

: 1230

01:10:54,200 --> 01:10:56,859

and family and be philanthropic as well.

: 1231

01:10:57,440 --> 01:11:01,820

Chris P. Reed: And then the last S

is for stop, actively work to stop

: 1232

01:11:01,820 --> 01:11:04,270

discrimination and foster inclusivity.

: 1233

01:11:05,070 --> 01:11:09,250

This will be a better world, a

more fair place for us to live.

: 1234

01:11:09,610 --> 01:11:13,890

If you just do this every day,

every opportunity you get to be

: 1235

01:11:13,890 --> 01:11:15,140

the change that you want to see.

: 1236

01:11:16,050 --> 01:11:16,770

Tony Tidbit: Absolutely.

: 1237

01:11:16,770 --> 01:11:19,780

So we're looking for

everyone to incorporate less.

: 1238

01:11:19,790 --> 01:11:20,920

You can control this.

: 1239

01:11:20,930 --> 01:11:22,430

This is within your control.

: 1240

01:11:22,790 --> 01:11:24,980

Like Chris says, do it on a daily basis.

: 1241

01:11:25,280 --> 01:11:27,559

L E S S.

: 1242

01:11:27,780 --> 01:11:31,829

So you can find a black executive

perspective podcast, wherever you get

: 1243

01:11:31,830 --> 01:11:37,150

your podcast, and you can follow us on

our socials, on Instagram X, YouTube,

: 1244

01:11:37,240 --> 01:11:43,519

Tik TOK, and LinkedIn at a black exec

for our giving, loving, loving, loving.

: 1245

01:11:44,135 --> 01:11:47,555

Social person, Iris Savannah Grant.

: 1246

01:11:47,795 --> 01:11:50,235

We want to thank her for Chris P.

: 1247

01:11:50,235 --> 01:11:57,234

Reed, the man with the sound for our

fabulous producer, Noel, who's behind

: 1248

01:11:57,234 --> 01:11:59,565

the glass and makes all this happening.

: 1249

01:12:00,085 --> 01:12:01,394

I'm Tony tidbit.

: 1250

01:12:01,634 --> 01:12:02,845

We talked about it.

: 1251

01:12:03,055 --> 01:12:04,015

We love you.

: 1252

01:12:04,275 --> 01:12:04,995

And we're out

: 1253

01:12:09,065 --> 01:12:11,565

BEP Narrator: a black

executive perspective.