Danae Davis’ journey to philanthropy began as a grantee, when she left the corporate sector to become CEO of PEARLS for Teen Girls, which promotes leadership development for adolescent girls. Today, she is executive director of Milwaukee Succeeds, an initiative within the Greater Milwaukee Foundation that advances education equity in Milwaukee.
And now, she is on the grantor side of the table, having recently decided to include the Foundation in her estate plans.
“Since I’ve been with the Foundation, I’ve learned to respect how catalytic being a grantor can be for things you care about in the community,” Davis said. “I know and trust that my wishes and my passions will outlast my life because I have invested through the Foundation. It is tenacious and sincere with respect to honoring donor intentions. I’m in good hands.”
Three African American women were key partners in helping Davis set up her legacy gift. One is Jennifer Imediegwu, an associate attorney with Moertl, Wilkins & Campbell and a Foundation volunteer who helped Davis structure her estate plan and establish the gift.
“The centerpiece of Danae’s estate plan is her family,” Imediegwu said, “but beyond that, she wanted her long history of advocacy for Black and Brown youth in Milwaukee to continue beyond her life. Creating a revocable living trust that incorporates a signifi cant gift to the Foundation will allow her to do that for generations to come.”
While right now Davis said she is not restricting her fund to any particular organizations, she will support groups that help change the success trajectory of the African American community in Milwaukee. Fiesha Lynn Bell, the Foundation’s associate director of major gifts, said Davis’ gift comes at a pivotal time, when the Foundation is making a concerted effort to welcome more donors of color.
“Philanthropy has existed in communities of color for generations — through the church, through family scholarships,” Bell said. “We don’t often see ourselves as philanthropists, but if we’re offering our time, talent, treasure and ties, we are! And we need to have those discussions around the dinner table.”
The other key partner in Davis’ gift was Jackie Herd-Barber, the Foundation’s former Board chair. Barber and Davis are also longtime family friends, so over the years, Barber has witnessed Davis’ ongoing efforts to make a difference in others’ lives.
“In the past, people of color may not have given because they want to give to somebody who looks like them. What Danae has done is open a door, showing that it’s okay to participate in a community foundation,” Herd-Barber said.
Davis said her son, Kwesi Gordon, 36, a schoolteacher in Houston, is “over-the-moon excited” that his mother is investing a significant sum in something he has always believed in as well. She also said she wanted to time her gift while Herd-Barber was Foundation Board chair.
“It’s wonderful to see four Black women responsible for this legacy,” she said. “I don’t think this has ever happened before.”