"Giving, Caring, and Sharing"
This August marks the 10th anniversary of Black Philanthropy Month, and in celebration of the commitment to community shown by Black philanthropists in central Ohio, local community leader and 2020 Harrison M. Sayre Award honoree, Catherine Willis, and estate planning attorney and philanthropist, Ashley Ingram, sat down with Associate Director of Donor Services Chris Donovan to discuss the robust shape of Black philanthropy in our community.
About the Guests
Catherine Willis
Mrs. Catherine Willis is a dedicated community advocate and volunteer. She spent decades as a teacher for Columbus City Schools, and her passion for making a difference in the lives of children continues through her philanthropy. She co-founded and has served on the boards of numerous nonprofit organizations, such as Friends of Community Enrichment (F.A.C.E.), Urban Strings, and the Helen Jenkins Davis Scholarship Fund Lunch Bunch, which has awarded more than $140,000 in scholarships to Columbus City Schools students. She served for 30 years on the board of the Columbus Youth Foundation, The Columbus Foundation's first Supporting Foundation. Mrs. Willis has received numerous accolades for her dedication to community, including Woman of Achievement by the YWCA, Jefferson Award for Public Service (twice), and has been inducted into the City of Columbus Hall of Fame.
Ashley Ingram
Ms. Ingram is an attorney and director at the Thomas Ingram Law Group, where she serves as a general practitioner to individuals and businesses on a diverse range of matters. Prior to forming Thomas Ingram Law Group, Ashley served as a member of Ernst Young's exempt organization's tax practice, providing clients with tax guidance and planning related to protecting tax-exempt status and other relevant tax matters. Her knowledge and experience allow her to provide comprehensive counsel to her clients. She shows her passion for the community by spending time volunteering with various pro bono clinics and other opportunities around Columbus including Zora's House, Legacy U, LLC, and See It Be It, a program she founded for African American youth to see representation in diverse career fields.