ENGAGING DONORS OF COLOR - WEBINAR
Join us on August 16 from 10:00am-11:30am for a lively discussion on Engaging Donors of Color. Panelists will dive into examples of successful donor fundraising initiatives, giving circles, Black Philanthropy Month and other programs.
Members $25 | Nonmembers $35
MEET THE PANEL
Dr. William Lewis
Dr. William T. Lewis, Sr., nationally recognized diversity, and inclusion thought leader, and entrepreneur is an advisor and consultant to university presidents, and small to midsize business leaders. As founder and president of WillHouse Global, Lewis leads a team of organizational development experts who help companies win! WillHouse Global was recognized as Top Diversity and Inclusion Company for 2022 by Manage HR.
Lewis is a co-author of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) Standards of Professional Practice (2014). He is author of, Sweet Potato or Pumpkin Pie: Conversations with My White Friends about Race (SPARK Publications 2022).
As a former Chief Diversity Officer, Lewis has led diversity and inclusion efforts at three highly acclaimed colleges and universities-- Indiana University, Bridgewater State University and Virginia Tech University. Lewis formerly served as the Special Consultant to the President for Belonging, Equity and Inclusion at Forsyth Technical Community College. Lewis served as a co- founder of CoopLew (2016-2021).
Lewis serves the community of Winston Salem, as an advisory board member of the Black Philanthropy Initiative (BPI), an initiative of the Winston Salem Foundation. He is a member of the board of directors of the United Way of Forsyth County, and he is a Trustee for Leadership Winston Salem. Lewis is an 2022 honoree for the Triad Business Leaders in Diversity.
Lewis also serves his thirteen-year-old son's business, CAMS Coffee Co, shop.camscoffeeco.com, as the Chief Executive Gopher (CEG). CAMS was created to provide supportive employment for individuals with disabilities.
Lewis earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Indiana University, Bloomington, IN. He holds a master’s degree in social work (MSW). He has dedicated his entire professional life to living the spirit of his social work background by "providing a voice for the voiceless and creating inclusive spaces for each person to reach their full potential.”
Lewis proudly served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves (1990-1996).
Melvin J. Scales
Melvin J Scales has been a management consulting professional since early 1997 and currently serves both as the Executive Vice President of Meridian Resources which is a leading national talent management consulting firm In this role, he heads the University Solutions division which partners with graduate business school career services teams such as Wake Forest University, George Washington, Temple, Virginia Tech, North Carolina State University and George Mason to find ways to maximize their effectiveness with students and alumni. Melvin is also a nationally recognized contributor to two editions of the Talent Management Handbook published by McGraw-Hill.
Prior to his appointment to the executive leadership team of Meridian Resources, Melvin was the Assistant Director of Career Services for the Wake Forest University Schools of Business. He also served as the Global Senior Vice-President for the world’s largest career management and outplacement consulting organization-Right Management and led the organization’s thought leadership and global delivery for all 19 global operating regions. Melvin has been responsible for business development, delivery of career transition services across all management levels and key training and development initiatives for consultants. Moreover he has been instrumental in the introduction of several key global solutions including Career Edge, Redeployment and Right Choice. He has also completed certification as an executive coach for the organizational consulting practice. Recognized by the firm for consistent excellence, Melvin was selected to the President's Club. Melvin also served as a global Career Management Subject Matter Expert and was appointed to Right’s Diversity Leadership team. Melvin has also held several roles in brand management with leading international consumer products organizations such as Hanesbrands, R.J. Reynolds, Anheuser-Busch and Nabisco.
Melvin is a native of Winston-Salem and a graduate of Wake Forest University, Brevard College and received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Provident University. He is married to Yvette Bishop-Scales and they have one daughter Kelli and one grand-dog Shug Avery.
Darryl Lester
A staunch believer in philanthropy and everyone’s ability to give, Darryl has devoted his life to educating those he believes have the will and heart to give but may not necessarily possess the knowledge on how to do so effectively. Through his work, dedication, evangelism and commitment to the cause, thousands of people are now actively giving their time and talents back to their communities.
After earning his Associate of Arts degree in Business from Brevard College, Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Wofford College, and Masters of Education degree at North Carolina State University, Darryl launched a professional and personal journey that created opportunities in leadership, consulting, and training positions in higher education administration and teaching, philanthropy, civic and community engagement, and national service. As a result of this impactful journey, Darryl founded the Community Investment Network, a national organization focused on organizing the collective philanthropy and giving in Black and other communities of color.
Darryl brings his professional experience and education in the fields of higher education, philanthropy, nonprofit management, cultural competency to our core work of leadership development, organizational development, philanthropy and fundraising.
He enjoys experiencing and navigating the world of individuals with mental and physical challenges with his daughter who was born with cerebral palsy and agenesis of corpus callosum. Darryl also enjoys the brotherhood of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity as well as his membership in the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club – Raleigh Chapter where he serves as the President. When he is not on his motorcycle, Darryl enjoys camping and outdoor life.