Vandalia residents Debbie and Michael Carter believe the greatest changes happen when people work together. Through their deep community involvement and a charitable fund through the African-American Community Fund of The Dayton Foundation, they are working to “be the change” to make Greater Dayton better not only for themselves but also for others.
“We believe that to whom much is given, much is required,” said Debbie, a teacher at Miami Valley Career Technology Center. “This sentiment is a reminder of our duty and stewardship. We have been abundantly blessed and want to use our blessings for God’s glory and to help others.”
From putting money in the offering plate at Sunday school in Debbie’s hometown of Tuskegee, Alabama, to collecting canned goods for Michael’s elementary school in Springfield, Ohio, charitable giving was instilled in the Carters from a young age. This drive to give back has grown stronger throughout their lives, thanks in part to individuals who have inspired them along the way.
“We had great mentors! For me, it was Pat Meadows, and for Michael, it was James E. Brown. They taught us to practice compassion and empathy, and instead of complaining, to get involved in making our community a better place,” Debbie said.
The Carters put this philosophy into action through their service to local nonprofit organizations. As a former president of AACF, Debbie helped launch two of its most popular events, the annual breakfast meeting and the annual golf outing, which have raised significant funds to support nonprofits. She currently serves as president of the Trotwood Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Tau Lambda Omega Chapter. Michael, who is the senior advisor to the president and chief diversity officer for Sinclair College, serves on the boards of Dayton Early College Academy and Sinclair’s African-American Male Initiative and is a member of Sigma Pi Phi Boule Fraternity, Inc.
In addition to volunteering their time, the Carters give to causes important to them through a Charitable Checking AccountSM they established through AACF in 2013.
“The Dayton Foundation makes it easy and convenient to support the organizations and causes we care about with a few clicks of a computer mouse,” Debbie said. “No more writing checks and keeping track of donations for tax purposes.”
Also, The Dayton Foundation helps to align all the players and coordinate efforts and contributions to make the biggest impact,” Michael added. “The Foundation helps us all rise!”
Mostly, though, the Carters give back to Greater Dayton because they, their children and grandchildren have thrived in this community, which they credit to their careers, family, affordable living, good schools, safe neighborhoods and more.
“Community is your tribe and your ‘peeps,’ who become your family through shared experiences and values and love for each other. Community is your chosen family,” Debbie said. “We want to be remembered for planting trees so others could sit in their shade and build wells from which others might be able to drink.”
“We want to leave Dayton a little bit better than we found it,” Michael said. “We have not gotten to where we are on our own. We had help. The time is now for us to help others.”