Danielle Lovell Jones
Danielle Lovell Jones, Advancement Specialist, Black Fox Philanthropy
What a way to start anew by honoring our first honoree of the year - we are pleased to introduce you to Danielle Lovell Jones!
Danielle Lovell Jones was drawn to the social impact sector at a very early age. As a young adult, she was surrounded by the reminder that one person could make a real impact and committed to doing the same. Since then, she has been dedicated towards ensuring that organizations are purposeful and impactful with their work. She has advised nonprofits, social enterprises, and fortune 500 companies on the matters of strategic outreach, messaging development and partner engagement. In these roles, she has built relationships with business, government, media and philanthropic leaders to stimulate interest and longstanding partnerships. She is also a natural communicator and has been the voice for many of her clients when trying to develop their messages, convey their unique value proposition and connect with the world. With both a science and legal background, she comes to every engagement with a sense of curiosity, desire to listen and a drive for improvements that yield both qualitative and quantitative outcomes.
Danielle has an intense personal drive to fight for the world to be a more inclusive and equitable place. She graduated from Harvard University with a degree in Biochemical Sciences with a concentration in Health Policy with a focus on racial and gender equity. She attained her JD from Georgetown Law Center where she served as a member of Barrister’s Council and President of the Global Race and Identity Project.
Danielle is also a podcaster, avid salsa dancer, Girl Scout troop leader, lover of Caribbean culture and music, and a true believer in the good in humanity.
In Her Own Words
What is your favorite book?
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones. An American Marriage was my return to fiction after a long period of reading nothing but nonfiction content. It was a perfect blend of fiction tied with the reality of the struggles of race, the justice system and the complexity of love. It's a mix of my two favorite topics: social justice and human interactions.
What is your favorite quote?
“We have an obligation to fight for the world as it should be.” - Michelle Obama during her 2008 Convention Speech.
I remember hearing it during the speech and being so hopeful of a presidency with this woman as the First Lady. Luckily that dream came true. Since that day, I made it my personal email signature ever since and I have no intention of ever changing it. It’s a reminder of why I do what I do…to fight for the world as it should be.
Who is your favorite woman fundraiser or philanthropist of color?
My favorite woman in philanthropy is Dr. Charmaine Mercer. She is a program officer at the Hewlett Foundation and has been a longtime mentor and friend both professionally and personally. She is the epitome of intellect, grace and resilience. And even more importantly she has been a leader by example of the power of “If I shine, we all shine.” I’m grateful to celebrate her as well as myself with this honor.
What inspired you to apply your background in the sciences and law to advancement?
At my core, I’m a curious and demanding optimist. I learned very quickly the art of not accepting the status quo because my mother gave me a masterclass every day. She was an example, day in and day out, teaching me that no matter your resources or skills you can make a positive stamp on the world no matter the size of your bank account. So I always asked a lot of questions and brought a sense of “How Can I Improve This” to every situation.
Whether it was as an undergraduate exploring the racial disparities in the health care system. Or as a law student relishing in the savvy and strategy behind the legal cases of civil right movements of both today and the past. I spent my time in the sciences and law sharpening my ability to know what questions to ask and how to move to the next level. And due to my upbringing, I aligned my interest to how I could make the world a more fair and equitable place. Because my drive has always been broad, advancement is particularly fitting because it allows me to support many missions as a strategic advisor.
I am able to take my lived experiences to ensure that organizations are asking the right questions and thinking strategically to ensure they are making the greatest possible impact in their respective areas.
Where do you want to be in 3 years?
In 3 years, professionally, I look forward to being a leading advisor and strategist for social impact endeavors in both nonprofit and for-profit entities. I would also like to continue to expand my portfolio of strategic advisory work for the social impact endeavors of high visibility individuals and major corporations.
Using popular culture to move social impact agendas is a powerful collaboration I would like to explore further. Personally, and even more importantly, I hope to be laughing loudly, keeping my family and friends as a top priority, and living true to myself.
Do you have any advice for other women of color working in fundraising and development?
My best advice comes in the form of the reminders I use for myself.
Remember that you are invaluable.
Remember that your voice, perspective, and lived experience needs to be heard and intertwined into your work. There is no point in diversity if we spend all of our time trying to be anything but our truest selves.
Remember that that perspective can be transformative in terms of how an organization views its funding perspectives and what relationships are the best fit.
Remember that you matter and I am so glad that you are in the rooms where you are because you belong there.
