Sisters of Charity Foundation announces 2023 President’s Fellows
September 13, 2023
Initiative seeks to increase diversity of male leadership within the philanthropic sector.
SOUTH CAROLINA – The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina announced a new cohort of the President’s Fellows program, an initiative in partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in South Carolina that provides professional development experiences in philanthropy.
The 2023-2024 President’s Fellows are:
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LaQuon Gibson (Freeport, Bahamas), Benedict College
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Navaud Guscott (Portland, Jamaica), Benedict College
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Joel Rezil (Jacmel, Haiti), Benedict College
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Jayques Nelson (Kingston, Jamaica), Claflin University
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Dwight Priest, Jr. (Rock Hill, SC), Claflin University
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Tariq Singletary (Columbia, SC), Claflin University
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Kashif Alston (Columbia, SC), South Carolina State University
Launched in 2015, the President’s Fellows program addresses the lack of diversity in nonprofit leadership, specifically within the philanthropic sector. People of color comprise 27 percent of full-time foundation staff and only 10 percent of those individuals hold CEO and leadership roles. Male executive directors of color are the most underrepresented leadership demographic in nonprofit organizations, regardless of budget size. Overall, African Americans represent only 9 percent of nonprofit executive leaders, less than half of which are male.
Sisters of Charity Foundation President, Donna Long Waites, expresses that “I am always so impressed with the caliber of men we bring in each year. It is truly a testament to the amazing talent within each of our partnered schools. This program makes me excited for the next generation of leadership.”
Our HBCU partners have expressed robust appreciation for the educational and leadership opportunities that the fellowship provides to students. From innovative personal development to addressing the disparity of African American males in nonprofit leadership, our university partners see and support the value that this program brings to the Fellows, their schools, and the sectors these young men choose to explore.
Sisters of Charity Foundation Senior Director of Policy and Research, Chynna A. Phillips, reflects, “Although we began in 2015, this program continues to experience changes brought about by deep student engagement and the input from our partners. This year each Fellow can expect a wide range of perspectives to be infused into the program, from known leaders in our field. I am excited by the learning that will take place.”
This program is made possible through funding partnerships with African American Philanthropy Initiative Fund of Central Carolina Community Foundation, Coastal Community Foundation, South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs, and The Duke Endowment.
About Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina
Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina, founded in 1996, is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System. In response to God’s call and the spirit of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, the Foundation strategically uses resources to reduce poverty through action, advocacy and leadership. Since its inception, Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina has distributed nearly $81 million to over 3,200 nonprofits working to reduce poverty in the lives of individuals and families in the Palmetto State.
About the President’s Fellows Program
The President’s Fellow Program is a year-long fellowship to expose students to all aspects of philanthropy. The program spans the full academic calendar and Fellows will earn a stipend upon completion of the fellowship. The program offers two tracks, the service-learning track and the issue-based track, both requiring varying degrees of research and volunteer hours. The Fellows will also attend board and staff meetings and submit mid-year and end of the year reports. The fellowship is offered to male students from Allen University, Benedict College, Claflin University, and South Carolina State University. For more information about the President’s Fellow program, please contact Chynna Phillips at cphillips@sistersofcharitysc.
