Danny Glover Donates $1 Million To TransAfrica Forum's Capital Campaign

Jet, May 10, 1999

In an intimate setting and distinguished company, award-winning actor and humanitarian Danny Glover donated $1 million and esteemed author Walter Mosley contributed $100,000 to commence TransAfrica Forum's $5 million Capital Campaign.

These generous contributions are the beginning of the two-year campaign launched to retire the mortgage on the building that houses TransAfrica Forum and the Arthur Ashe, Jr. Foreign Policy Library, and to establish an endowment for the funding of future TransAfrica Forum programs.

"We have to make it to the next link and that's why we're here today honoring Danny's contribution," said Randall Robinson, president of TransAfrica.

Joining Glover in the crusade to help TransAfrica reach its modest goal of $5 million was Walter Mosley, author of Devil in a Blue Dress. Although Mosley joked about his mere $100,000 compared to Glover's $1 million, Robinson and other TransAfrica supporters graciously thanked and recognized Mosley for his significant donation.

"I'm here because Danny called me up and said, `Walter we have to give to [TransAfrica],' and so I did," said Mosley, Capital Campaign cochair.

Glover, the man of the hour, was honored not only for his exceptional gift, but also for his activism for the peoples of Africa and the Caribbean.

"I feel honored to be able to give, but my giving is only the beginning," said Glover, who also serves as a Capital Campaign co-chair and Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations Development Programme. "We must all give to this cause."

Other distinguished supporters of TransAfrica and luncheon attendees included Djilbril Diallo, editor in chief, Choices; Bertram Lee, president & CEO, BML Associates; Terry McFarland, fired-raising consultant; Courtland Milloy, columnist, Washington Post; Rock Newman, promoter, and Demetria Newman; Hazel Ross-Robinson, president, Ross-Robinson and Associates; Dr. Barbara Dixon Simpkins, national president, The Links Foundation; Dr. Jane Smith, president and CEO, the National Council of Negro Women; and Rep. Maxine Waters.