An exhibit honoring Bartholomew County African American people, agencies and organizations with a history of philanthropy will be showcased at several Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. schools over the next two months.
“The Soul of Philanthropy” presents a look at local, black philanthropy through a glimpse into the lives of educators, ministers, business leaders, volunteers and good neighbors who have worked to make a difference in the lives of others.
BCSC and the Heritage Fund — The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County have partnered with the African American Fund of Bartholomew County to display the exhibit at area schools for educational use through Feb. 28.
A reception, sponsored by the Bartholomew Consolidated School Foundation and prepared by the BCSC C4 culinary program, will be held at Columbus North High School, 1400 25th St., at 5 p.m. Thursday to celebrate the opening of the exhibit. The reception is free and open to the public.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
“The Soul of Philanthropy” will be on display at Columbus North High School for two weeks before transitioning to its next location in mid-January.
The exhibit re-frames portraits of philanthropy through about 20 Bartholomew County African American people, agencies and organizations who have given to efforts of social change. An accompanying slideshow highlights the efforts of many other community members, honoring more than 40 individuals total.
The local display tells the stories of local individuals including corporate trailblazer Shirley Handley, former Cummins Inc. executive James Joseph and church leader Bishop Charles Sims.
“The African American Fund is excited to have our ‘The Soul of Philanthropy’ exhibit displayed at some of the BCSC schools,” said Tom Harmon, CEO of Harman Group Companies. “It is an excellent teaching tool to exhibit the many different ways one can be philanthropic with their time, talent and treasure by featuring real individuals from our community.”
Harmon said the individuals featured serve as an example to inspire and educate others to do likewise.
The exhibit has already been displayed for public viewing at The Commons in downtown Columbus and at the Columbus Learning Center prior to its arrival within BCSC.
After its display within BCSC, the local exhibit will become part of a permanent display at the Madam Walker Theater Center in Indianapolis later this year.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”About the exhibit” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
What: “The Soul of Philanthropy” exhibit, along with a separate-but-related slideshow display of local African Americans who have given back to the community via their involvement in everything from ministry to education. The African American Fund of Bartholomew County is the organizer.
When: The exhibit opened Monday and will be on display at Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. schools through Feb. 28. It will become part of a permanent display at the Madam Walker Theater Center in Indianapolis later this year.
Information: thesoulofphilanthropy.com
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”If you go” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
A reception, sponsored by the Bartholomew Consolidated School Foundation and prepared by the BCSC C4 culinary program, will be held at Columbus North High School, 1400 25th St., Thursday at 5 p.m. to celebrate the opening of “The Soul of Philanthropy” exhibit.
The reception is free and open to the public. RSVP as soon as possible at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfEu19cOVjm3CWsqTFL_4Ra9rV5ub5pxcKAXIqglAL2rGzZYA/viewform.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
