Celebrating Black Philanthropy Month: Rosalyn Allison-Jacobs & Dr. David G. Jacobs

Rosalyn and David Jacobs have been supporting and donating to Care Ring for well over a decade. Rosalyn has had a long career working in healthcare and nonprofit consulting, and David is the former Medical Director of Adult Trauma Services at Carolinas Medical Center, Atrium Health. We talked with them about what Black Philanthropy means to them, and why they support our organization.

What does Black Philanthropy mean to you?

Rosalyn: We were both raised with the value of giving back. We grew up in times of residential and school segregation, so it was first nature to support Black business because that’s what was around us, but also to support black causes in the interest of uplifting the community.

David: Giving back is part of what we did. We saw our parents go out and volunteer. My father marched with Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960's for civil rights. I grew up in an ethnically diverse neighborhood in Cleveland, with a variety of backgrounds and incomes, and we all just looked out after one another. It fostered a spirit of looking out after our own community.

I recognize all the time that I didn't get here, we didn't get here, by ourselves. We had a lot of help coming up, with the opportunities we had. We recognize more and more these days that should not be taken for granted. As the Bible says, “To whom much is given, much is required.” We have a responsibility to reach back and give to those who have not been as fortunate.

Rosalyn: It's important to think about philanthropy broadly. Yes, it's giving money, but it’s also the time and effort you give back to the causes and issues that are important to you. African-Americans are extremely philanthropic in terms of percentage of wealth given, but also in terms of the time given and the volunteerism, and that is the tradition we were both raised in.

Why do you support Care Ring?

Rosalyn: My family history is of African-Americans in medicine. The health needs and health disparities in the Black community are something I’ve been aware of for a very long time.

I began my career in Charlotte working for United Way, and got a behind the scenes look at organizations who were doing a good job and delivering impact. I have had a relationship with Care Ring since the founder was there.

I feel like I have a deep understanding and knowledge of not only what Care Ring is, but how it does what it does, such as through the strong network of providers that it has built through Physicians Reach Out {PRO} over time. And Nurse-Family Partnership {NFP} is a phenomenal, evidence-based program. I like that Care Ring is doing such great prevention work with NFP as well as on the curative front with PRO.

David: My church committee gives to Care Ring, which includes site visits and a review of the financials. This gives me additional confidence in the organization and the work you are doing in the community.

I also know Dr. Kaaren Sailer {Care Ring’s Medical Director of 19 years} personally and her husband, {Dr. Toan Hyunh}, is one of my surgical care partners. We have great respect for them professionally and personally and know where their heart is. You don't spend your entire career somewhere unless you really believe in what they're doing and know your efforts are not in vain.

Thank you to Rosalyn and David for sharing their thoughts on Black Philanthropy with us, for their years of service and servant leadership to the community, and their support of our mission.


Check out more stories of Black philanthropists who support Care Ring:

Board member Drew Bradshaw's video testimony
Interview with ONE Charlotte Health Alliance Executive Director, Rodney Gaddy

Make a gift to Care Ring here.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *