Dismantling wellness inequities with lifestyle-driven, culturally-resonant clinical, culinary, fitness and financial education.
A WORD FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
As Co-founder and Executive Director of Power is Giving, I am honored to present our 2023 Annual Impact Report centering our work to dismantle wellness inequities with culturally-resonant clinical and culinary lifestyle education by expanding accessibility of optimal wellness education and resources within primarily Black, Indigenous, PeopleofColor(BIPOC)communities
Throughourcoreprograms,whichin2023includedourEDDTalks,EDD Summit, and EDD Roots collaborative initiatives, we provided lifestyle educationfocusedonpresenting100%wholefood,plant-based(WFPB) nutritivesolutionstoover3,000programparticipants.
Through narrative, data and imagery, our report spotlights our impact in drivinghealthequityandnutritivepathwaystooptimalwell-being
A WORD FROM OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
As co-chair of the board for Power is Giving, it is my privilege to share the progress and impact of our organization in our annual report. Through our dedicated efforts in whole food plant-based education, we are committed to eliminating and reducing health inequities for people of color. Our initiatives strive to empower communities with knowledge and resources for healthier lifestyles. Together, we are driving positive change and fostering equity in health outcomes. Thank you for your continued support in our mission.
As co-chair for Power is Giving, I am immensely proud of the work that Dawn, team and our supporters have done in 2023 to touch nearly 3000 people in fulfilling our mission of providing culinary and nutrition information to the BIPOC and veteran communities Jil and I are honored to share this annual report with you and look forward to the continued and new partnerships we hope to have as we continue to impact our communities by breaking down the systemic barriers to wellness.
CO-CHAIR OF THE BOARD
JIL LITTLEJOHN BOSTICK
CO-CHAIR OF THE BOARD
CO-FOUNDER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jil Littlejohn Bostick
Dawn Hilton-Williams
Colletta Bryce
COLLETTA BRYCE
ABOUT POWER IS GIVING, INC.
Started as a youth and BIPOC-focused tennis, mentorship and culinary organization in 2011, Power is Giving, Inc. is a federally recognized 501c3 charitable organization that provides accessible 100% whole food, plant-based (WFPB) restorative wellness education and resources to BIPOC and veteran communities to dismantle systemic barriers to optimal well being through our signature Eat, Drink and Disrupt (EDD) programs and collaborative partnerships, while providing evidence-based information that reduces risk factors for our top chronic diseases by up to 90%.
OUR PROGRAM LOGOS
e whole food, p amental human ies through culturally resonant, optimal wellness programs that dismantle systemic barriers to equity
VISION STATEMENT
Thriving, equitable communities where BIPOC families experience optimal health, enduring intergenerational wellness and equitable access to the knowledge, resources, and opportunities necessary to build lasting personal and community wealth
OUR CORE VALUES
We champion access to affordable, 100% whole food, plant-based (WFPB) nutrition as a fundamental human right.
We are committed to leveraging evidence-based science, equity, education, and cultural competency to dismantle systemic barriers to wellness that disproportionately impact BIPOC families
We empower individuals to achieve optimal health and build intergenerational wealth through culturally resonant education and resources.
We foster collaborative partnerships and community engagement to create sustainable, systemic change in health and financial equity.
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
In 2023, Power is Giving provided whole food, plant-based (WFPB) education and resources to over 3,000, primarily BIPOC community residents through core programs and community collaborations From the provision of clinical and culturally resonant, WFPB education and flavors at EDD Talks to giving away clinically-endorsed healthy vegan cookbooks into hands needing guidance, our programs inspire interest and deeper engagement toward health equity and optimal wellness
EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS
Delivered culturally-tailored 100% whole food, plant-based (WFPB) nutrition, evidence-based restorative, WFPB lifestyle education and resources to over 2,500 primarily BIPOC community members.
Hosted 2 EDD Talks presentations in Greenville, SC and Concord, NC, reaching 100 attendees.
Provided 200 healthy, plant-based meals through EDD Talks lunch and Learns (100 carryout boxes)
Distributed 750 clinically-endorsed vegan cookbooks and over 2,000, 5 oz. vegan food samples through programs and collaborative BIPOC and food apartheid community outreach efforts
Engaged 500 participants at October 2023 EDD Summit with renowned physicians and BIPOC chefs and environmental and health and wellness equity subject matter professionals
COLLABORATIONS AND INITIATIVES
EDD Roots collaborations with partners like Maranatha Farms, Greens and Things farmers market, and Mill Village to increase accessibility to WFPB lifestyle education and resources in community settings
Featured guest plant-based clinician speakers: Milton Mills, MD, Elizabeth Motley, MD, Philippe Zamor, MD, Cliff Morris, MD, FACC, Marsha Gail Davis, MD and Faith Beylo Burke NP
Provided honorariums for 6 BIPOC chefs and showcased 20 BIPOC & veteran owned businesses with no vendor or table fees
EDD SUMMIT PROGRAM
In 2023, we convened our powerful wellness call to action at our Eat Drink Disrupt (EDD) Summit, a 1⁄2 day, BIPOC and veteran focused clinical, culinary & wellness equity program that enlists renowned BIPOC clinicians and subject matters experts to address socio-environmental disparities and the prevention, arrest and reversal of our top chronic diseases through evidencedriven, whole food, plant-based (WFPB) and healthy vegan lifestyle education.
Our program directly reached approximately 500, primarily BIPOC attendees, volunteers, collaborative partners, contracted chefs and vendors, distributing over 500-5 ounce tasting samples per station for a total of approximately 2,000 samples from 4-100% WFPB culinary tasting stations, We also provided approximately 400 copies of vegan cookbook Flava My Plate and educational resources from Mecklenburg County Health Department, Novant Health and Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM).
EDD TALKS PROGRAM
In February 2023 in Greenville, SC, Power is Giving hosted an EDD Talk program focused on evidencebased, restorative, whole food, plant-based (WFPB) education for preventing and arresting heart disease, which BIPOC community members suffer disproportionately and lead in death and disability rates for. The clinical component of the 90 minute lunch and learn program was moderated by Rhonda Rawlings and led by Elizabeth Motley, MD and Faith Beylo Burke FNP.
In May 2023, we administered an EDD Talk program in Concord, NC on type 2 diabetes prevention, arrest and reversal with Milton Mills, MD and Philippe Zamor, MD. culinary nutrition and sourcing inquiries were addressed by WFPB certified professional and vegan chef, Dawn Hilton Williams at both programs.
Combined, EDD Talks 2023 programs directly reached 100 community members, providing culturallyresonant, healthy vegan lunches to enjoy onsite as well as prepared to go boxes to share at home
We also provided 100 copies of vegan cookbook Flava My Plate and educational resources on heart disease and diabetes from our partner; Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM).
EDD FIT & FUEL TENNIS PROGRAM
While our EDD Fit & Fuel Tennis Program addresses disproportionate chil BIPOC communities through tennis, exercise, 100% whole food, plant-based nutrition resources, veteran mentoring opportunities and cultural empowerment was on hiatus in 2023, it remains a core program scheduled to restart on July 26, 2024 in Charlotte, NC. This 1/2 day program convenes up to 75 BIPOC youth ages 6-16, providing culturally resonant tennis coaching from former NCAA Division 1 and 2 athletes, vegan lunch and snacks.
EDD ROOTS PROGRAM
ocused program that presents free, partner-based activities directly in nities.
With a focus on easy program access, we team up with local churches, groups and existing grassroots and BIPOC community-focused organizations, we provide 100% WFPB community cooking demos, classes, optimal wellness presentations, talks and other evidence-based and clinically-derived wellness resources regarding the overall health benefits of a 100% WFPB and/or healthy vegan lifestyle
Programming delivered in 2023 included:
Community WFPB cooking demonstrations and tastings in Greenville SC’s Pleasant Valley and Nicholtown communities.
Small group cooking classes empowering participants to prepare WFPB recipes
Educational presentations (Vegucation 101) at Maranatha Farms SDA Church and other Greenville area churches.
Greens and Things Farmers Market participation
Provided over 200 vegan cookbooks and other evidence based wellness resources material from Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM)
We take pride in meeting people where they live and worship to make easier access to optimal wellness resources
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
In 2023, Power is Giving spent 100% of raised funds on its programs, initiatives and activities, which included: EDD Summit, EDD Talks, and ongoing EDD Roots collaborations furthering access to whole food, plant-based wellness education and resources
This important work was made possible by contributions and support from:
Herban Eats, LLC
Novant Health
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
VegFund
Vanguard Charitable Trust
A Well Fed World
PayPal
Amazon
Mill Village Ministries
Plant-Based Prevention of Disease (P-Pod)
Mecklenburg County
Cort, LLC
Individual and small business donors via GoFundMe campaigns
While impactful programming was sustained through volunteer efforts and valued partnerships, a transition to secure necessary operational funding remains important to amplifying reach
As securing sponsors proved challenging through utilization of outside consultant services, managing all grant and sponsor-based funding efforts in-house and earlier in the fiscal cycle will be our practice moving forward
Our funding focus will primarily target philanthropic and foundational support 75% with additional 25% resourcing from donor campaigns, collaborative partnerships and sponsorships.
While immensely proud of outcomes achieved with fiscal and staffing challenges, we are especially grateful for our volunteer staff, board and collaborative partners
We understand that full operational and program funding promises opportunities for even more meaningful impact and reach and are committed to achieving those objectives in 2024.