About Us
Turning Interest Into Action
The co-founder, Fatima, wanted to start a giving circle that reflected her values, identity, and passions. The 11 founding members represent a wide range of talents, life experiences, passions, and abilities. Just as our founding members reflect a range of identities, we seek that in our membership.
Collective 365 was established with the intent to unite individuals who want to invest, learn from, and celebrate Black & Brown communities. Collective 365 is composed of individuals who seek to support positive change and sustainability in communities of color in the DMV area (DC, Maryland, VA) by combining resources. Collective 365 is reimagining philanthropy by removing barriers for individuals to become philanthropists and those seeking funding. We do this by offering three types of memberships and providing grant funding and capacity building opportunities to our grant applicants. Our ability to support community sustainability is achieved when we center Black & Brown folks as decision makers and thought leaders in their communities. Collective 365 provides Black & Brown communities the platform to define their needs and solutions.
The members’ investments and donations from the community are used to support the grant fund. During the year the members attend educational & networking events to become informed and engaged community members.
The Why
To give Black & Brown communities the support to define their needs and solutions.
Mission
Facilitate opportunities to learn about community needs through service engagement, educational and networking events in order to support the sustainability of communities of color through philanthropic giving.
Focus areas
Health | Education | Social Justice | Workforce Development
The How
1. We focus on the root causes of economic, racial, and social injustice.
2. We strive to include the people who are impacted by those injustices as leaders and decision-makers.
3. We also aim to make the field of philanthropy more accessible and diverse.
4. We are accountable, transparent, and responsive in their grant-making.
(source: resource generation)
Board of Directors
Fatima M. Smith, MSW
(Founder)
I wanted to create a way to celebrate & invest in Black & Brown folks who are doing dope things in their community. I knew I wanted to do something that put trust in those doing the work and saw that what was being done was not working.
"I don’t break the rules, I just challenge them”
- Ella Baker
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Alana Glover, Esq.
I want to be involved in an organization that turns “interest into action.” This organization is not only an organization that discusses the issues facing Black and brown communities, it focuses on actually providing financial support and resources to these communities. Collective 365 is committed to more than just identifying problems, Collective 365 is committed to solving them.
"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
-James Baldwin
Bianca Myrick
(Board Vice President)
I wanted to be a part of changing the face of philanthropy, specifically as it relates to decreasing funding barriers for black and brown organizations.
There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you
-Maya Angelou
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Lisa Hicks
(Board Treasurer)
The work of the Collective exemplifies what is possible for Black and brown leaders who seek to create more equitable communities when we have the support and resources necessary.
“Your silence will not protect you.”
-Audre Lorde
Natisha Knight
The mission and vision of the organization align with my personal values. Collective 365 gives ownership and decision making power to the very people best equipped to make decisions to uplift and empower Black and Brown communities.
“You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.”
― Maya Angelou, And Still I Rise
Amanda Thompson
(Board Secretary)
I believe in community. I believe that we have within our community a collective of individuals and organizations that can do great things with and for our community. I love giving back, and I love serving MY community.
"Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly."
- Langston Hughes
Emma Yackso
MSW, LCSW
It’s time to build something different--a way of getting money directly into black and brown communities through organizations that are of, and genuinely committed to lifting their folks up.
“Even when the truth isn’t hopeful, the telling of it is.”
- Andrea Gibson
Jenaé Harrington, Ed.D
I love Collective 365 and everything it represents. We take a creative and accessible approach to philanthropy which allows more of us to be involved in the community-building process.
Radically loving each other is the only everything worth anything.
-Aja Monet
Abbey Phillips, MSW
I find a lot of daily inspiration in the work I see happening in the community, but oftentimes that work is not invested in or celebrated. Collective 365 is raising the bar in how we approach equitable investments and philanthropy while giving its membership and grantees a meaningful opportunity to continue building community. This work is essential to equity and uplifting voices and I am so honored to play a role in expanding this mission and vital work.
"All that you touch you Change. All that you Change Changes you. The only lasting truth is Change. God Is Change." -Octavia Butler
Luc El-Art Severe, J.D.
Luc is aligned with supporting the efforts of economic vibrancy and vitality that fosters the creation of opportunities and resources investing in the needs of the Black Communities and celebrating the Communities’ achievements.
General and Voting Members
Alesha Wilson
Alexandra Boone
Alexsis Rodgers
Amanda Long
Amanda Pohl
Amber Vernon
Amy Peck Abraham
Anderson Hayes
Anisha Walker
Anitha Pai
Anna Danese
Ashley Dobson
Becca Richardson
Becky Odor
Catherine Estevez
Catherine Foca
Chloe Edwards
Clair Koroma
Crystolyn Macklin
Dana Shields
Dana Walker
Danielle Gilbert
Daryl Fraser
Dr. Serelda Herbin
Edward Gerardo
Elizabeth Wong
Emily Yeatts
Emmanuel Caudillo
Fabrizio Fasulo
Fatima Yousofi
George Kelly
Haliya Roberts
Hannah Robbins
Isabel Eljaiek
Jackie Robinson Brock
Jennifer Young
Johnathaan Pannell
Johnetta Guishard
Joni Celiz
Joy Shaw
Karen Brown-Davis
Kenda Sutton-EL
Kennith C Waller
Kheila Jones
Kisha Webster
Kristin Faison
Laurin Stamps
Leigh Busby
Lisa Amazigo
Lisa Jobe-Shields
Liz Canfield
Lizzie Garrett
Marie Cornwall
Marisa Harriston
Mary Kwak
Mervyn Han
Michelle Waller
Mie Strickler
Natalie Evans Harris
Natalie Garramone
Nicole "Nicki" Lynn Lee, PhD
Nikieta Lambert
Nishaun Battle
Patricia Bradby
Patrick Belcher
Preston Roy
Raleigh Layne
Ralph Grove
Rebecca Carter
Robin Gahan
Sabrina Jordan
Sarah Milston
Sean Smith
Shandra Claiborne
Shannon Britt
Shantell Chambliss
Shelton Akande
Shelton Akande
Sonya Hough
Stephanie Mace
Taikein Cooper
Tara FitzPatrick
Tasha Chambers
Tishaun Harris Ugworji
Twyla Twyla Garrett
Vanessa Durrant
Victor McKenzie, Jr
Whitnee Liverpool Cummins
Yolanda Avent
Zipporah Levi-Shackleford
Ryan Gilbreath
I joined the Collective because being apart of a community grant funding organization has been a dream of mine. I had figured that in order to be apart of something like this, that this wouldn't happen until I was over 60. However, when my wife and I were presented with the opportunity to help, I realized I don't have to wait to make the impact I want to see in our communities.