Over the years, we have consistently been blown away by the examples of generosity we’ve witnessed from our community of creatives and entrepreneurs. We asked some of them to open up to us about where they think their generosity comes from.

James Thurman

I am tremendously grateful for all of the help others have given me throughout my professional and personal journey. I am honored to be able to pay that forward to others. So many teachers have been so inspirational to me which is a major factor in becoming a teacher myself. Many of my own students have gone on to become teachers themselves which magnifies my pride in their accomplishments. Read more>>

Laquisha Parker

I would have to say that my generosity comes from the experience of knowing how it feels to be unsupported Read more>>

Margaret Huff

I developed a sense of empathy from an early age. I often finding myself concern with other people challenge. I recognize how people present themselves at face value may not be representative of what is going on internally. We all have a story when we walk into spaces. I am consciously aware that people are more than what we see. Read more>>

Jorge Alain Herrera

My generosity is God’s generosity, not my own. I have come to a faithful understanding that what ever I do or give to others is doing and giving that which is the will of god. For example, tipping, it’s not my money. Sure, I have to first have the money to be able to make the tip, but I am convinced that the money that I am tipping never was and never will be mine. Then perhaps, God might see to it that you shall never be short on your tipping money, and that is all. Cary that same idea onto everything else that involves being generous. Read more>>

Susan Dolan

I believe in giving back to my community. I’ve always been passionate about helping others, and thepeopleshub.org provides me with the opportunity to do that on a larger scale. Read more>>

Dr. Ken Steorts

I am not a naturally generous soul. I am self-focused, vision-driven, and purpose hungry. Orienting around building and pressure can give plenty of room to a lack of generosity and I know that desire to keep resources for myself very well. It is ingrained in me from my upbringing, where lack was common and I learned to fend for myself in a single parent household, and it is encouraged in culture, with self-orientation abounding and messages to young people to do everything for yourself. So, I know the immediate gut reaction to loss or narrowing of available resources, and I feel an actual excitement for the struggle at times because I identify with it. Read more>>

Bobbi Mason

My generosity comes from going through traumatic loss and the desire to not want anyone else to have to go through what I have gone through. Read more>>

Gabra Zackman

I love this question! I pride myself on my generosity. Some of it comes from my parents, who raised me to be generous. But I was deeply guided at a young age by the entrepreneur Jonathan Fields, who created The Good Life Podcast, among other things. When I first met Jonathan he was running the yoga studio I went to, and I had just begun recording audiobooks. I told him I did not know how to deal with so many people who wanted a piece of my work — that suddenly everyone seemed to want what I had; He directed me to a beautiful book: The Diamond Cutter by Christie McNally and Geshe Michael Roach, and told me to read the book, then come talk to him again. The book is basically a buddhist approach to business, and among other things puts front and center the karmic way: the more you give away, the more you’ll receive. From that moment on I changed my approach to how I opened doors for people, and true to the theorem, I’ve never been without doors opening to me. I built an entire career on talent and perseverance and connections and perhaps on generosity most of all. Read more>>

Jamie Kough

Serving, doing, and giving are my love languages. I hope that others see me as generous but I do not self-describe as such. I view making art as a service to the communities I collaborate with. Sometimes, art-making is for me, and there’s just something that needs to be expressed or released, prompting me to create. Yet, there is always an underlying desire to connect with those who will partake in the creation—a wish to speak a language that can be understood by another person. So even in moments when the seed of creation comes from within, it quickly grows into a product or idea that can serve someone else. In this way, I believe generosity stems from creating with others. It feels natural, spontaneous, and inevitable. We are wired to be with others, and our being ignites around their energy. If we are surrounded by generosity, I believe we will also be generous. This is a core element of who I am as a creative and the work I share with the world. If my work isn’t of service, I stop, reevaluate, and recalibrate to ensure it generates generosity. Read more>>

Barb Lamb

Generosity if one of my core values. Being generous with your time, talent, love and money to lift up others in life is so rewarding, and is a choice. I grew up in a household where the answer always was “we can’t afford that.” or “no, you can’t do that.” Compromise, understanding the needs of others, and simple kindness leads to generosity as an everyday expression. Awareness of others, and a simple complement or sincere thank you goes a long way in society. Read more>>

Laura Corral

Throughout my academic and professional career I have been the recipient of excellent advice, help and mentorship from professors, supervisors and colleagues. I have tried over the years to pay that forward by mentoring and advising young people working alongside me and young interns under my supervision. I am proud to say that I have been instrumental in placing several of those mentees in good professional positions and in inspiring young high school students to pursue careers in science. I want to expand my mentorship to include more high schoolers from minorities, especially those that may not be thinking of science as a career open to them. Read more>>

Nzioki Munyao

My journey of generosity stems from a belief highlighted in *The Courage to be Disliked*—that happiness is found through giving back. This belief has guided my work with *Just Help Africa,* focusing on essentials like education and clean water in Sub-Saharan Africa. Growing up in Kenya, I saw firsthand the need for these resources. Today, through our work, we build labs, classrooms, and, at times, help pay teacher salaries, ensuring students have access to quality learning environments. Read more>>

Ally Waters

I believe my generosity stems largely from my father. He was an incredibly kind and giving person, always willing to help others, even to the extent of giving the shirt off his back. He instilled in me the importance of contributing to those in need, regardless of my own circumstances. He taught me that even when resources are limited, there is always something we can offer, whether it’s time, support, or a listening ear. This mindset has shaped my values and continues to inspire me to be generous in both my personal and professional life. Read more>>

Kristen Diederich

For me, generosity and empathy are inextricably linked. It is from my sense of empathy, which permeates my work that generosity arises. It is from my understanding and sharing the common pool, which some call the interconnectedness of all life that my art develops into generosity. How can one see and not also share that vision? Read more>>

Heather Frankland

I come from a very generous family. Routinely, my dad would have me gather daffodils to give to our neighbors. I wrote an essay about this, “Picking Daffodils,” that was later published. After the storms, he would have me go out and pick daffodils that had been slanted by the wind and give them to the neighbors. We’d also share the produce from our summer gardens. My mom would bake for her employees or give them special holiday treats. So, I grew up in a family where generosity was valued. Read more>>

William Passmore

We, the creators, are the strange and the broken weirdos and I love it. I believe generosity is the space carved out from lived experience. As I have grown painfully through self reflection and love I firmly believe for the most part we all overcome the challenges of life. Read more>>

Mateo Solorzano

My home town religion is a huge thing, so there is like a parade that comes from a city 4 hours away walking, it is done during the whole night and when people arrive is at like 4 or 5 in the morning, so when I was a kid my Grandma, my grandpa, my cousin. I used to give out coffee and pieces of bread to those people. I’m telling this story because I think that my generosity comes from the family I grew up with, and this is an example I wanted to share about it. Read more>>

Erika Hazel

I’ve been a philanthropist since I was 8 years old. I asked my mom “How does Santa get kids without homes at the homeless shelter their Christmas gifts?” and I can’t remember her verbal answer but our actionable answer was to do a toy drive and together we asked the shelter was gifts the kids wanted and we did our best to get every child a toy they wanted based on their request and ages! Read more>>

Vanessa Chinopoulou-mccoy

My generosity stems from a deep understanding that true fulfillment comes from giving rather than receiving. This perspective is rooted in spirituality, which teaches that acts of kindness and compassion create a ripple effect in the universe. Embracing the philosophy of “it is in giving that you receive” aligns with the teachings of spiritual masters who emphasize the interconnectedness of all beings. They remind us that sharing our resources, time, and love not only uplifts others but also enriches our own lives. This selfless giving fosters a sense of community and belonging, allowing us to experience the joy and gratitude that come from making a positive impact. Ultimately, my generosity is a reflection of my belief in the transformative power of love and connection in our shared journey. Read more>>

Gregory Johnson

It comes from understanding life and being apart of it. Since I can remember I’ve always wanted to help and be there for people. Rather I knew them or not.
My father & Mother always helped when they could and seeing that made me fall in love with doing it. It wasn’t until I got older when I was able to feel that feeling of helping which made it even more better. Read more>>

Jen Goddard

Growing up in a family of nine children, we faced significant financial hardships and often felt isolated without much support, both personally and financially. These experiences instilled in me a deep understanding of what it means to go without and the importance of compassion. Now that I am fortunate to have a thriving business and the wonderful support of friends, family, and community, I feel a profound responsibility to give back. My generosity comes from a place of gratitude and a desire to offer others the support I once needed. Every chance I have to help someone who may be facing similar challenges, I embrace it wholeheartedly, hoping to make a positive difference in their lives. Read more>>

Nicole Rice

Growing up, I saw generosity displayed through my parents. We often had guests who would temporarily live in our home, due to financial struggles or other obstacles that they were going through. My parents are gracious, caring, compassionate, and they love to help people in need. Read more>>