MADISON — The Madison Area Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), in collaboration with the Summit College Club (AAUW) and the League of Women Voters Morristown Area, invites the public to a free program on Monday, September 16, at 7:00 p.m. The event will occur at the Madison Community Arts Center, 10 Kings Road, Madison.
The program will spotlight SparkNJ, a local nonprofit organization supporting Black-led charitable, community, and civic organizations in northern New Jersey. SparkNJ is unique in its approach, awarding unrestricted funding to organizations that are already significantly impacting their communities but need additional operating funds to expand their work. The organization operates on a trust-based philanthropy model, which does not accept traditional grant applications. Instead, SparkNJ selects its recipients from a pool of nominations made by individuals deeply rooted in and knowledgeable about their local communities.
Lisa Barksy Firkser, Ph.D., a founding member of SparkNJ, will moderate a panel discussion featuring three distinguished participants who have been closely involved with the organization.
Kareemah Harris Baker, who has spent 17 years working as a Child Welfare Administrator, will be a featured panelist. Kareemah is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at Rutgers University and has served as a SparkNJ nominator for three years. Her deep understanding of community needs has made her an invaluable asset to SparkNJ’s mission.
Joining her will be Nadine Wright-Arbubakrr, President and Founder of Nassan’s Place, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and families affected by autism, particularly in underserved communities. Nassan’s Place received a SparkNJ grant in 2023, and after seeing the impact of SparkNJ’s support, Nadine took on the role of a nominator in 2024, helping to identify other worthy organizations.
The third panelist, A’Dorian Murray-Thomas, is the Founder of SHE Wins. This nonprofit provides leadership and career readiness training for middle school and high school girls who have been victims of violence in their communities. In 2023, SHE Wins received a SparkNJ grant, which allowed the organization to expand its trauma-informed programs, which combine social and emotional learning with rigorous college and career readiness training.
SparkNJ’s work exemplifies how trust-based philanthropy can profoundly impact local communities by empowering those best equipped to understand and address their needs. The Madison AAUW program offers a unique opportunity for attendees to learn more about this innovative approach to philanthropy and the inspiring work being done by organizations like Nassan’s Place and SHE Wins.
Reservations are not required for this event; all are welcome to attend. This program promises to be an enlightening experience for anyone interested in community service, philanthropy, or supporting Black-led initiatives in northern New Jersey.
