Building a more compassionate and generous world requires a focus on fostering generosity. Part of that is asking generous folks to open up about where they think their generosity comes from.
Nicoletta Gauci
At Kismet community was our biggest inspiration and our biggest reason for starting our own business. From our community within the beauty industry to our community in Souther California and beyond, we wanted to bring heart into business and not lose the lessons we learned throughour our lives but especially in 2020. Prior to the pandemic salons started to become a bit cold and while the pandemic brought us togeather in some ways it also kept us apart in others. Read more>>
Stephenie Magister
I grew up in extreme poverty in Mississippi. My family was evicted from several homes. We relied on food banks to eat. Our electricity got shut off more than once. And yet we managed to survive due to the generosity of those around us. Our neighbor let us use an extension cord to borrow some of their electricity. Food banks gave us generous portions. Read more>>
Elisa Irvolino
My generosity comes from my mom. She has been doing mission work for as long as I can remember. She has always helped the needy. We there it’s providing a hot meal, taking others to get help or just providing a shoulder for others to lean on. I hope to always follow her footsteps. Read more>>
PiKaHsSo Verbadelyck
My generosity came from my mother the late great Catherine Fahimah Moore from Aberdeen MS she was a kind benevolent & pius woman with a heart of gold & smile only God could make. And she would give you the shirt off her back & had the kindest spirit you ever wanna see. She taught me to be humble, pray, and try your best to treat people right and help those who are less fortunate. Read more>>
Valen Vergarra
I started off in professional development first as a nonprofit director with a mission that focused on sustainable philanthropy and fundraising for academic projects. Read more>>
Dre Barthel
From a young age, my faith and ability to see those in the margins, played a major factor in my foundation of generosity. I started my career as a Social Worker in the nonprofit sector deepening my heartbeat for purpose driven, mission minded organizations. I am driven by the value of bringing people together, fostering meaningful connections and cultivating environments of generosity. This launched me into a path for the last two decades of planning gatherings with intention. Read more>>
Matt Kraus
I was blessed with being raised by parents who were incredibly virtuous and dedicated to giving their time, energy, intellect and financial support to people and communities in need. I was able to participate in many of these activities beginning early in my childhood and from that point on have learned to be grateful for the things I have and that the greatest thing we can contribute to society is helping others. Read more>>
Dallas McClain
Growing up in the North Carolina foothills, I was always taught manners and respect at an early age. My grandparents thought it was essential to pass on their expressions of courtesy and politeness to the newest generation. They wanted to keep the idiom of the Southern gentleman alive through my upbringing. Holding the door open for others, standing up when a women enters or leaves the room/table – they believed these acts really showed deep respect for others, and treated them as our neighbors, instead of just an object or nobody. Read more>>
Keanah Rodriguez
My generosity comes from my parents. Being the oldest of four, I had to learn how to share as soon as my sister was born, it was not a hard transition for me since I watched both of my parents display their generosity on numerous occasions. From buying kids Ice cream when the ice cream drive past to buy and/or cooking for the less fortunate, my parents have always showed how important it is to bless others. Read more>>
Sam Salhab
That’s easy, my mother! She would give the shirt off her back to someone who needed it, and even those that don’t. Generosity is quite an overlooked business skill. When you first start out, you have to be willing to give people as much value as possible without expecting anything in return. It’s not easy, but I find the more generous I am in other avenues of life, the easier it becomes in business as well. Read more>>
Mrs. LaToi Tolen
Generosity is the cornerstone of who I am, and it stems from deep roots planted in my upbringing and life experiences. Raised in a family where kindness and giving were not just encouraged but expected, I learned early on that the true measure of a person lies in their ability to uplift others. My parents, Rev. Dr. Bennie Lee and Sophia Griffin, were always involved in community service and instilled in me a sense of responsibility to contribute to the greater good. This foundational belief has influenced every aspect of both my personal and professional life. Read more>>
Orane Williams
I would say my Dad. He’s a loving and caring person who’s always willing to help others. As I’ve gotten older I’ve noticed aspects about my life that derived from my dad. Read more>>
Qwesha Coutou
I was raised by a strong, nurturing West Indian Queen. With kindness as my foundation, I have practiced a minimal, selfless lifestyle dedicating my life to a cause greater than myself. In return, my life has become a glorious romance and adventure. Read more>>
Laura Frazier
I dont even think of myself as generous, I just believe in community! I grew up pretty poor, and in and out of the system so having any little bit of help in my life always made a huge impact; and I want to pass along anything or any way I can help people i my community too. Read more>>
Eunequa Strozier
My generosity comes from within. I’m an empath and a healer. My mission is to help other humans in need and show them their inner strength. I give to others without myself in mind because I genuinely want to see others improve and grow in their life. Read more>>
Lindsey Tucker
My acts of generosity stem from the challenges I have faced personally. Having experienced hardships, I empathize with others who need a helping hand. I credit my achievements to the kindness of those who supported me along the way. My understanding of generosity has been further enriched through my involvement with RAVR, my company. RAVR provides a subscription service for individuals who enjoy attending raves and festivals. Read more>>
Tinna James
My Grandmother the late Avis A. Brock instilled in us that WE are blessed to be a blessing. For years she cooked, cleaned, babysat, helped, gave rides to people. Whatever she could do to help someone else she did. So without thought as God Blesses me I do my best to bless others. I believe in giving when God has given to me. That has allowed God to give me more and allows me to continue to give. Read more>>
Torrance Bard
My generosity hands down comes from my mother Patricia Elrod. I watched her help everyone she came in contact with, even when she didn’t have it. Witnessing her be selfless, even in moments of adversity regarding her ability to provide, had me overwhelmed with joy. As I learned from watching my mother throughout the years, it made me love to give back to the people in my community and around the world. Read more>>
Korinthia Klein
I try to be generous in both my business and personal life. This comes from an awareness of how arbitrary fortune is. I am unbelievably lucky to have been born into the family I have that loves and supports me, in a time and place where as a woman I have options, and in a stable circumstance that has given me the opportunity to learn and grow. I’m relatively healthy and my skin color doesn’t present me with additional obstacles. Read more>>
Sonja Harrison
When we think of generosity, oftentimes we confine it to largesse or currency such as material gifts or the giving of one’s time. Even more so, we associate generosity as something we bestow upon another. However, I believe the greatest form of generosity is embodying kindness and grace, and gifting them to myself first. Read more>>
