WELCOME TO
he Community Foundation of Greater Flint is delighted to welcome you to our annual celebration, the Art of Philanthropy This evening, we come together to honor the individuals and organizations that embody the spirit of generosity and commitment to the betterment of Genesee County.
Through the presentation of prestigious awards, heartfelt recognition of our volunteers, and the sharing of inspiring stories, we celebrate the profound impact philanthropy has on our community. This event not only acknowledges those who have given so much, but also highlights the importance of continuing this legacy of giving for generations to come.
Thank you for joining us in celebrating the art of giving. Together, we are building a vibrant and equitable Genesee County where everyone can thrive.
PROGRAM BEGINS AT 5:45 P.M.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Performance by African Drum and Dance Association
Matt Franklin, Guest Host, ABC 12 News Anchor
Mark Piper, Chair, Board of Trustees
Looking Back, Moving Forward
Mark Miller, Interim President and CEO, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees
Awards Presentations
Libby Award
Presented to Barbara Wesley by Jessica Judson, Chair of the Flint Women and Girls Committee
Clement A. Alfred Humanitarian Award
Presented to Dr. Maurice Chapin by Tony Vu, Founder of Flint Social Club
Recognizing Our Volunteers
Presented by Sue Peters, Vice President of Community Impact
Message of Appreciation
Lottie Ferguson, Vice President of Donor Services and Development
Closing Remarks
Matt Franklin, Guest Host, ABC 12 News Anchor
Mark Miller, Interim President & CEO, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees
ommunity Foundation of Greater Flint’s funds and assets are governed by an independent board of trustees composed of respected community leaders from diverse backgrounds. Board members are selected for their knowledge of community needs and for their professional expertise. We are grateful to our Board of Trustees, whose dedication and commitment exemplify the philanthropic spirit of Genesee County.
Mark Piper, Chair Piper Realty
Mark Miller, Vice Chair General Motors (Retired) CFGF Interim President & CEO
Chris Graff, Treasurer Hank Graff Chevrolet
Patrick McGuire, Secretary Farm Bureau Insurance
Gabrielle Clarke Student, Flushing High School
Joel Feick Flint and Genesee Group
Dawn Hiller Hurley Medical Center (Retired)
Carol Hurand Community Volunteer
Tim Knecht Cline, Cline & Griffin
Nita Kulkarni, MD Physician
DeAndra Larkin Community Engagement Advocate
Carma Lewis
U.S. House of Rep., Dan Kildee Flint Neighborhoods United
Robert Landaal, Jr. Landaal Packaging Systems
Jill Norwood Educator (Retired)
Jia Patel Student, Grand Blanc High School
Manal B. Saab SGT Ltd.
Ron Stack Cyclefit Sports
Sherri E. Stephens Stephens Wealth Management Group
Shannon White Funchitecture
Omari Young, MD Massachusetts General Hospital
arbara Wesley, an educator, activist, and community servant, is the 2024 recipient of the Libby Award.
The Libby Award, established in 2000 to celebrate the legacy of Olivia P. “Libby” Maynard, a lifelong philanthropist and advocate for women and girls in Genesee County, recognizes individuals who embody the spirit of service and commitment to the community.
“At her core, Ms. Wesley is a giver,” said Essence Wilson, who nominated Barbara for the award. “She is generous with her time, talent, and treasure to benefit women and girls in our community.”
Barbara’s impactful career began in the early 1970s as an English Literature teacher at Northwestern High School in Flint, Michigan. Her Harlem Renaissance class inspired young women to explore their creative potential. One of her most memorable contributions was organizing a transformative trip to Harlem, New York—an experience her students cherish to this day. “Teaching at Northwestern probably changed my whole outlook of life,” Barbara shared. “High school students were expressing themselves in passionate ways. It just really came to me that I could get involved.”
Barbara’s commitment to helping others extended beyond her professional life and into her home. Her daughter, Lisa Brantley, recalls, “She was always looking for ways to help others in our home. It was not uncommon for Mom to invite people who were less fortunate or didn’t have a family to enjoy the holiday with to our dinner table on Thanksgiving. Beyond meals, Mom opened up her home many times for young ladies and their families to live with us.”
Barbara is involved in community organizations such as the YWCA Greater Flint, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Links, Incorporated, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® Zeta Beta Omega Chapter, and the Flint Institute of Music. A steadfast supporter of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, she donates annually to various funds benefiting these organizations. Barbara is also an active driver and fundraiser for the Links, Incorporated Flint Area (MI) Chapter Flint Kids Matter Fund of CFGF.
Barbara was one of the charter members who were instrumental in establishing the Ivy House, an initiative of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® Zeta Beta Omega Chapter. The Ivy House intends to meet community needs, support women and girls, and offer a community facility for programming.
Barbara Wesley
“Barbara saw the vision,” Wilson adds. “She understood the benefit of ownership and a place that would be a help to the community. The Ivy House has served the community through meeting the needs of students, providing school supplies and providing goods for women’s shelters.”
As an activist, Barbara played a significant role in local politics and the United Teachers of Flint, the Black teachers’ caucus advocating for desegregation in the city. Her activism extended beyond Flint, chairing the “Connections” Political Action Committee and leading efforts to engage with state legislators in Lansing.
Barbara’s commitment to community service continued in her role as a counselor at Whittier Middle School, where she served as a mentor and coach, guiding students toward positive paths. Later, as Human Resource Director for Flint Community Schools, she focused on helping students recognize the value of education and ensuring they had the support needed to succeed.
Reflecting on receiving the Libby Award, Barbara shared, “It’s very humbling, and it’s with a great deal of humility that I accept. I have done things in my life that I feel are serviceoriented, and I’m proud and happy and thankful for all the support that I have had and still have.”
Barbara remains active with the Teen Girls Summit, a partnership with Mott Community College, and continues to mentor young women. Her advice to the younger generation is simple but profound: “Network, and when you have the opportunity, go out and find something where your skills and passion can match. You’re not just helping people; you’re receiving inspiration, fulfillment, and knowledge.”
Barbara Wesley’s lifelong dedication to education and community has made a significant impact on Genesee County, embodying the spirit of the Libby Award.
he Flint Women and Girls Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint created the Libby Award in 2000 to honor Olivia P. “Libby” Maynard, a lifelong philanthropist and advocate for women and girls of Genesee County. We present this award every two years to an outstanding woman who, over an expansive lifetime, has demonstrated these qualities.
Former Libby Award Recipients
2000 Olivia P. Maynard
2002 Sarah E. Warner
2004 Celia Perez Booth
2006 Claire M. White
2008 Dolores C. Ennis
2010 Susan L. Moulton, MSN
2012 Katherine Saunders
2014 Evelyn V. Golden MD
2016 Jessie M. Muldrew, PhD
2018 Kathryn “Kitty” Moeller
2020 Sandra L. Murphy and Reta Stanley
2022 Harriet Kenworthy and Sally Kagerer
THE CLEMENT A. ALFRED HUMANITARIAN AWARD
r. Maurice H. Chapin, a dedicated healthcare professional, veteran, and global health advocate, received the 2024 Dr. Clement A. Alfred Humanitarian Award.
The Dr. Clement A. Alfred Humanitarian Award is presented annually to a Flint-area healthcare professional who exemplifies a commitment to professionalism, integrity, and humanitarian service, reflecting the lifelong dedication of Dr. Alfred.
Nominated by Peter Thoms, Dr. Chapin has dedicated his career to serving others, leaving a profound impact on the communities he has touched.
Speaking about the recognition, Dr. Chapin said, “I just do the things that I do because I think that it’s the right thing to do, and it’s what God wants me to do. I just hope that when my life is over, that God will say, ‘Well done my good and faithful servant.’”
Dr. Chapin’s journey in healthcare began with four years in the U.S. Army, where he completed a family practice residency at the U.S. Army Hospital in Fort Knox, Kentucky. In 1961, he settled with his family in Millington, Michigan, where he opened a family medicine practice and joined the staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Flint. Over nearly four decades, he built a reputation as a caring and dedicated physician, earning the Physician of the Year award in 1986. He retired in 1999 after 38 years of service, but his commitment to healthcare didn’t end there.
Reflecting on his early life, Dr. Chapin shared, “I was raised on a farm, and I spent quite a bit of time hoeing corn and milking cows. I had planned on being a farmer... but during the year between my junior and senior years in high school, my sister, who had become a nurse, talked me into becoming a doctor. I think this was God working in my life.” That pivotal conversation set Dr. Chapin on a path to Central Michigan College, and later, medical school.
Throughout his career, Dr. Chapin served on numerous boards and committees, including a review board for nursing homes in the Flint area. His leadership extended to the Flint District Board of Missions and the Haiti Liberia Task Force, where he played a crucial role in organizing and facilitating shipments of medical supplies to Samuteb Hospital in the Dominican Republic of the Congo. His service also extended to the Methodist community, where he volunteered as a nurse and physician at Camp Kinawind for many years.
Dr. Maurice H. Chapin
Dr. Chapin’s commitment to global health is evident through his participation in mission trips to Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and Zimbabwe, where he provided essential care to underserved communities, often accompanied by his wife, Dorothy Chapin. He also assisted in the cleanup after Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi and Louisiana and continued his service with a mission trip to the Appalachian region. He received a World Family Practitioners award to mark his dedication around the world.
Dr. Chapin’s says that his global health mission work is the result of his “servant” leadership mindset. “If we are going to be living like Christ, we have to have a servant attitude, and I guess that’s how I practice medicine, and it’s pretty much how I’ve lived my life,” explained Dr. Chapin.
Locally, Dr. Chapin continues to give back. He has volunteered with the Forgotten Men’s Prison Ministries, tutored at Millington Elementary School, and offered his services at a local free clinic. His deep commitment to his faith and community has made him a beloved figure in Millington and beyond.
Dr. Chapin and his late wife, Beverly Gould Chapin, raised six children and established two endowed awards: the Beverly A. Gould Chapin Endowed Music Award, in memory of Beverly, a music teacher, and the Dr. Maurice H. Chapin Pre-Medicine Endowed Award for pre-med students.
“I read somewhere that the epitome of demonstrating and living out love is patience. I have not always lived up to that, but that’s my goal,” said Dr. Chapin. “I want to show Christ’s love to the world.”
lement A. Alfred, DDS, began his dental practice on Corunna Road in Flint in 1936, and for the next 60 years was an advocate for professional excellence and community involvement. Throughout his career, Dr. Alfred held leadership positions within many professional and civic organizations. His legacy of caring continued until his death in 2001.
The Dr. Clement A. Alfred Humanitarian Award was established by Dr. Alfred’s family on his 80th birthday on April 29, 1991. The award is presented each year to a Flint area health professional who demonstrates a commitment to professionalism, integrity, and humanitarian goals.
Former Alfred Award Recipients
R. Roderic Abbott, MD
Jim Ananich
Mona Hanna-Attisha, MD
Fleming A. Barbour, MD
James K. Cantwell, DDS
Samuel Dismond, Jr., MD
Marc Edwards, PhD
Carrie “Carolyn” Germain
Raymond F. Gist, DDS
Evelyn V. Golden, MD
Saul S. Gorne, MD
Edwin H. Gullekson, MD
F. Michael Jaggi, DO
Mark H. Knight, DDS
Jayashree Kommareddi
Rima Kudish, MD
Paul Lafia, MD
Peter A. Levine, MPH
Vivian M. Lewis, MD
Susan L. Moulton, MSN
AppaRao Mukkamala, MD
Marigowda Nagaraju, MD
Gerald Natzke, Jr., DO
Milton Panzer, DDS
Archibald Piper, MD
Lawrence A. Reynolds, MD
M. Susan Schneberger
Kirk Smith, MHSA
Robert Soderstrom, MD
Charles Thompson, MD
Peter S. Thoms, MD
Allen Turcke, MD
Arthur L. Tuuri, MD
HONORING OUR
his year, we bid farewell to several remarkable volunteers who are retiring from their committee roles. Their dedication, passion, and tireless efforts have left a lasting impact on the Community Foundation of Greater Flint and the community we serve.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the following individuals for their invaluable contributions:
Grand Blanc Community Fund
Delore Hurley, 10 years
Dean Keipert, 10 years
Janette Sullivant, 10 years
Kamal Gupta, 19 years
Countywide Youth Advisory Committee
Alicea Jones, 1 year
Sir Johnson, 1 year
Your commitment to service has enriched our community, and your legacy will continue to inspire us all. Thank you for your years of hard work and unwavering support.
To view the complete list of volunteers, scan this QR code or visit www.cfgf.org/who-we-are/our-volunteers.
hank you for being part of The Art of Philanthropy celebration!
Your presence and generosity are at the heart of the positive change we’ve created in Genesee County. Through your support, the Community Foundation of Greater Flint has been able to fund impactful programs and projects that uplift our community.
But our work is far from done. There are still countless opportunities to empower, uplift, and nurture every corner of our county. Your gift — no matter the size or designation — plays a vital role in addressing the diverse needs of our community and ensuring lasting change.
When you give today, you’re not just making a donation — you’re investing in a more equitable, vibrant Genesee County where everyone can thrive. Together, we’re building a future that benefits all, for good, for ever, for everyone.
Let’s continue this important work together. To give, visit our website at www.cfgf.org, or connect with a member of our Development and Donor Services Team at 810.767.8270. Your commitment makes all the difference.
Community Foundation of Greater Flint Endowment Operations Fund
