ABOUT US
WHAT WE DO
01.
— We Find & Fund
02.
— We Build Networks
03.
— We Strengthen
04.
— We Educate
05.
— We Provide Care
06.
— We Collaborate
The 20/20 Sisters of Vision (SOV) is a philanthropic organization in Durham, North Carolina which operates under the umbrella of the Community Investment Network (CIN). CIN is a national network of 16 giving circles across the United States. A giving circle is a group who combines their personal time, talents and treasures to strategically address various social issues. Giving circles encourage members to participate in philanthropic activities such as: grant making, public education and other community based activities.
In 2008, 20/20 SOV was started by Joanne Jennings and Denise Rowson. Joanne and Denise raised money by asking individuals for $20 dollars to assist someone in need. In an effort to become more systematic in their giving, they invited a group of friends to discuss ways to be more strategic givers. As a result, the group decided to form a giving circle; believing that by pooling resources they could make a difference in the world. 20/20 SOV members meet monthly. It’s mission is to “empower women and families in local and global communities enabling them to improve their quality of life in areas such as: health, education, economics and spirituality”.
To date, 20/20 SOV has granted over $50,000 to various organizations and charitable individuals. Their funds are hosted by Community Triangle Foundation of Durham. Since 2008, the group has assisted communities both locally and nationally and has provided more than 20 scholarships to deserving high school graduates and college students.
As a way to celebrate Black Philanthropy, 20/20 SOV partnered with DOVE (Diverse Occupational Vocational Education Summer Camp), a 501c (3) in Durham, North Carolina by providing resources to X high school students for upcoming 2016-2017 school year.
As 20/20 Sisters of Vision, “we envision all families sustained in a holistic and healthy community”.
BOARD MEMBERS
Rev. Joanne Browne Jennings, a native Bermudian, serves as the Director of the Black Church Studies Certificate Program at Yale Divinity School (YDS), and as a lecturer in clinical pastoral education for Andover Newton Seminary at YDS. She is a consultant for the Reimagining Church Project at YDS, and is also a Mentor in the Annand program for Spiritual Formation at Berkeley Divinity School at YDS. Committed to collective giving as a means of facilitating strategic philanthropy, she is the cofounder of the 20/20 Sisters of Vision, a Giving Circle.
Prior to moving to Durham in 2014, Willette Carter was a special projects manager with the city of San Antonio, TX. During her 28-year career in the Air Force as a public affairs officer, she held positions world-wide, in New York City and the Pentagon, to bases in Asia and Europe, before retiring at the rank of colonel. She is active in the community through various social, religious and non-profit organizations.
Linda is an ordained Baptist Minister. Her spiritual life message,”God’s Grace is Sufficient”. She uses her gifts and talents for teaching and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ; reaching out to people in crisis following natural disasters and serving in areas of health disparities locally and abroad. Professionally, she is a Nurse Educator and Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner.
Denise Rowson has been an educator for over 40 years, working with children and adults in traditional and non-traditional settings. She prides herself in the love and dedication to her faith, her community, and family, especially her grandsons Derrick 18 and Shomari 2. Following retirement in June 2019, she is excited about what God has in store for her to accomplish in this new season of her life.
Dr. Patricia Parker is professor and chair of the Department of Communication at UNC-Chapel Hill. She is also the founding director of the Ella Baker Women’s Center for Leadership and Community Activism. From her early experiences to her current work as co-chair of the UNC Commission on History and Race, Pat has been committed to catalyzing community power to fight oppression and transform the world into what it ought to be.
Dr. Harshaw-Ellis earned a BSN at UNC-Chapel Hill, an MSN at the Duke School of Nursing and later a Doctorate of Nursing Practice at the Duke School of Nursing. She is a Nurse Practitioner in the Duke Advanced Heart Failure Program and a Consulting Associate to the Duke School of Nursing. She has a passion for reducing health disparities and educational and economic barriers in minority communities.
Olusore “Sore” Shields grew up in Lagos Nigeria and immigrated to the United States over 25 years ago. She has a B.Sc in Finance and a Master of Social Work (MSW). Sore (Show-Ray) is interested in the intersection of Faith, Finance, and Social Justice. She looks for opportunities to use both her head and her heart in her work. She is especially interested in local and global initiatives that empower women and children.