Everyday Philanthropist: Micheline Grace Lewis Makes Her Mission Personal
Ghandi is quoted saying, “Whatever you do in life will be insignificant but it is very important that you do it because you can't know…Every life, and every death, changes the world in its own way.”
We don’t often consider ourselves to be philanthropists. As we settled into our Saturday conversation with Micheline Grace Lewis, she echoed the same, “A philanthropist is a person of significant means, donating, giving back, or underwriting a cause and charitable agenda.”
A Tri-State native, Micheline Grace Lewis, is a working mom with a record of success transforming businesses and navigating the nuances of people in her executive human resources role. However, as we define philanthropy at Layo Philanthropic Partners, a philanthropist is an individual or entity that engages in intentional and systematic efforts to promote the well-being of others and the betterment of society through the allocation of their financial resources, time, expertise, or influence.
With this, Micheline agreed.
Layo Philanthropic Partners Founder, Funmilayo Brown sat down with Micheline for a story that is the core of the joy-filled work we do helping philanthropists clarify their values, define their potential for impact, and partner them with organizations in alignment with their philanthropic values.
Listen or read the heartwarming conversation here.
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FB: Do you find yourself in the definition of a philanthropist?
ML: Not really.
FB: At Layo Philanthropic, we define a philanthropist as an individual or entity that engages in intentional and systematic efforts to promote the well-being of others and the betterment of society through the allocation of their financial resources, time, expertise, or influence.
Did you find yourself in that definition?
ML: I guess so. I definitely engage intentionally and systematically as well. I try to engage in ways that have a systemic impact and not a one-off. There is a financial dedication, time commitment, and a leveraging of my expertise. Influence may be debatable.
FB: Philanthropy is also characterized by creating meaningful and lasting positive impact. Greek translation may be translated to loving people.
ML: I consider the work that I do to be community-oriented – giving back to the community is about loving and appreciating the blessings that we have. You don’t have to be a person of significant means to give back. There is a lot that I love and believe in but I’ve chosen to use my time and resources to support certain causes.
I think of Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, and Oprah as philanthropists.
FB: But you are too!
You are a philanthropist.
We’ve chosen to highlight everyday philanthropists because everyday people don’t see themselves as philanthropists. The core of our work is to redefine philanthropy, especially for people of color, and create a new philanthropic movement, activated by people of color.
We’re awakening and starting this movement because so many people of color don’t see themselves as philanthropists. If we were not philanthropic, we would not be here today. It is the love, the sharing of blessings, and leaving the door open for others that have allowed us to make it this far. We’re reclaiming our power as philanthropists.
ML: It makes me think of the ubuntu philosophy: Out of many, one. Because you are, I am. Because I am, you are.
FB: At Layo Partners, we’re all about bringing joy and love into philanthropy. How do you bring joy and love into your life? One of the reasons I love having you in my life is because you feed my soul.
ML: It’s funny that you say that. I feel like for a long time, I was disconnected from that part of me that literally feeds people. I was married to a French man who was basically a chef and I didn’t find my place in the kitchen – I didn’t need to be there.
Through our separation, I found my love of cooking and my Jamaican culture. I found myself looking for ways to nurture myself, my children, and my soul and I spent a lot of time focusing on the dishes that made me feel safe. When I finally made callaloo soup, I cried because it was so good. I called you at that moment!
FB: As we work with clients through their Joy-Based Giving Strategy, we often find that their intergenerational and ancestral stories fuel who they are today. What are your family’s stories and who are you because of them?
ML: I am a daughter of Ms. Gwen, who is still alive at 107. My grandmother had many children both biologically and non-biologically. She raised a family that immigrated from Jamaica through England and Canada and now lives all over the world. She lives in D.C. and her house was always full.
My cousins and I would spend time playing at her house. My family would drive from New York down to D.C. on Sundays for church and Sunday dinners. Sometimes it would seem like the entire congregation would be there. We had family friends come up from Jamaica to attend Howard University and they’d live there with her while they were in school. Folks came up for work and would live with Ms. Gwen while they got their footing in this new country. There was always space for those who needed it.
FB: That gives full color on who you are.
“I don’t want to be just a seat at the table but to use my seat at the table”
Our ancestral legacies define generations of our families and who we are. I bet someone was super influential to Ms. Gwen. I’d encourage you to ask her some of those questions.
ML: Well, funny enough, between ages 100-105, my grandma, Ms. Gwen, would tell a lot of stories. She looks so much like my daughter, Marley. When she looks at Marley, she would tell the stories of her youth.
One day Marley and her brother were playing around and she told us the story of her grandfather. Ms. Gwen’s grandfather was born a slave and then, through sharecropping, owned a coffee plantation and coffee roaster. At night, when they’d sweep out the roaster, she and her cousins could play under the moonlight.
FB: What about your parents?
ML: My father was a gay man from Jamaica. He lost his father early on. His mother passed away later on and she was his everything. When we talk about my Jamaican culture, I don’t think of him in that way because of how homophobic Jamaican culture is. He lost a lot of friends and quality of friendships when he came out and no longer had the support of his mother.
But while he was here, my father was an activist and a powerhouse for LGBTQ+ rights.
FB: I watch our children interact and I see the greatness that is going to come from these humans. I think about the legacy that you’re living in of your grandmother’s open door and open heart. You’re living in her legacy, and despite the cultural and religious animosity for who your father was, you’re carrying his light. What do you believe your children will say about you one day?
ML: I want them to say that I always knew my mother loved me. Even in moments when she may have been cross, there was never a doubt in my mind that she loved me.
I say this to them all the time: Things may not go the way that we hope or plan but you have to keep trying. I want them to know resilience.
I want them to have a perspective that life doesn’t revolve around you. You should be self-centered but not selfish. You have to understand your impact in the world.
Finally, whatever you choose to do, don’t be half-assed about it.
FB: What is the part of your legacy that you’d like them to carry on?
ML: We must do our best to make it better for the people behind you. It’s not perfect for the young people in my organization, but there are a lot of hardships that don’t exist for them any longer because of the people who have come before them.
In places and positions where I can, I must.
I don’t want to be the seat at the table but to use my seat at the table.
FB: Now that you’re aware that you’re a philanthropist, tell me about the philanthropic work that you do and how and why you’re motivated.
ML: As a child and student of Ms. Gwen, it’s education. Education gives opportunity. Opportunities usually give money which thus, offers more opportunities to move the world forward.
It’s also the arts: there isn’t enough emphasis on arts education. Art is good for social-emotional learning. To readily, punitive discipline is applied to black and brown children when there is a more restorative way that doesn’t emotionally harm or shut down the child. There is a reason why we have music and dance as a culture.
My father was a profound LGBTQ+ activist. He was Co-Chair of San Diego Pride, former president of Dignity/San Diego, a member of the Gay and Lesbian Advisory Board to the San Diego Chief of Police. He also served as Director of HIV/AIDS Services for one of San Diego's largest non-profit organizations, and was a board member of Alliance Healthcare Foundation, and he started the Neighborhood House Association in San Diego which to today is foundational in providing resources to the community.
I serve as Board Vice President of Education Arts Team in Jersey City and I’m on the board for Hudson Pride Center in Hudson County.
FB: How’d you get started in both of those organizations?
ML: I started by giving my time which, as a working mother, is a commodity. It sometimes has to happen in the evenings or on the weekends.
You know, when I think about the Powerball, which I never remember to play, I think about the schools and programs that I would fund. I would do it in a way that removes the bureaucracies and allows students and staff to truly blossom. Additionally, I’d continue to work on a cure for HIV/AIDs. We have wonderful treatments but it’s not enough. I’d also continue to work with the community on the challenges that the trans community and LBGTQ+ face.
I’d volunteer and then go to the beach.
FB: We’ll remind you to play the Powerball and we’ll meet you on the beach!
Layo Philanthropic Partners works with individuals like you to activate their position as a philanthropist within your community in the world. Connect with us to learn how to build a Joy-Based Giving Strategy that clarifies your story and your values to build a giving strategy that creates a long-lasting philanthropic legacy.
Connect with Micheline Grace Lewis on LinkedIn to learn more about her professional and philanthropic work.
