Giving Done Right: Episode Summary

Title: Giving Back to Your Hometown with Beanpath’s Dr. Nashley C.

Release Date: January 23, 2025

Hosts: Phil Buchanan and Grace Nicollette
Guest: Dr. Nashley C., Co-founder and CEO of Beanpath

1. Introduction to Dr. Nashley C. and Beanpath

In this inspiring episode of Giving Done Right, hosts Phil Buchanan and Grace Nicollette welcome Dr. Nashley C., the visionary Co-founder and CEO of Beanpath, a nonprofit organization based in Jackson, Mississippi. Dr. Nashley C. balances her role at Beanpath with her position as a Technology Evangelist and AI Scientist at Amazon Web Services, where she focuses on fairness and eliminating biases in AI.

2. Dr. Nashley C.'s Journey to Founding Beanpath

Dr. Nashley C. shares her personal and professional journey, highlighting her transition from the tech industry to nonprofit leadership.

[02:12] Dr. Nashley C.: "I was a CTO of a startup company that we sold to Amazon in 2016. Around 2017, I felt there was something more I should be doing."

Her initial efforts involved setting up tech help desks in local Jackson libraries, driven by the community's significant demand for technical assistance. This grassroots initiative evolved into the establishment of Beanpath.

3. The Genesis and Meaning Behind Beanpath

The name "Beanpath" embodies both agricultural and technological metaphors, reflecting growth and foundational building blocks in technology.

[02:46] Dr. Nashley C.: "Bean is a seed that grows into a vine, taking its own path. In programming, a bean is a smaller piece of code that can extend into other functions."

This dual symbolism underscores Beanpath's mission to nurture individual growth and technological proficiency within the community.

4. Beanpath’s Core Programs and Community Impact

Beanpath offers a variety of programs tailored to different demographics, including:

• Makerspace and Tech Office Hours: Providing hands-on technical training and support.
• Engineering and Coding Programs for Youth: Facilitating youth robotics clubs and coding workshops.
• Scholarships and Grants: Supporting students and community organizations.
• Jackson Tech District: An ambitious real estate project aimed at creating a tech-centric hub near Jackson State University, one of the largest HBCUs in the U.S.

[09:01] Grace Nicollette: "He was like, it's meant to be."

Beanpath has grown to operate across 22 acres with eight buildings downtown, serving over 1,000 individuals annually and impacting more than 4,000 through various programs.

5. Challenges and Strategies in Nonprofit Development

Dr. Nashley C. discusses the hurdles faced in establishing and expanding Beanpath, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when libraries closed. Adapting to these changes involved securing a dedicated physical space—the Bean Barn—and expanding programs to include events like robotics scrimmage games and community expos.

[09:02] Dr. Nashley C.: "We're now up to 22 acres actually in eight buildings downtown, contiguous space. The makerspace, the Bean Path headquarters was born."

6. Funding and Building Support for Beanpath

Securing funding was initially self-funded for the first three years, followed by gaining support from foundations like the Kellogg Foundation and corporate sponsors including Amazon.

[17:03] Dr. Nashley C.: "It took some trial and error to figure all that out. I spent the better part of the first three years funding it myself."

With an annual budget reaching $1 million in their sixth year, Beanpath continues to seek diversified revenue streams, including event space rentals and software development contracts with larger companies.

7. Advice for Aspiring Nonprofit Founders

Dr. Nashley C. offers valuable insights for those looking to start their own nonprofits:

• Assemble a Solid Team Early: "You need to find people that believe in your vision, that have good work ethic, and are committed to the mission." [25:51]
• Emphasize Storytelling in Fundraising: Effectively conveying the organization's impact is crucial.
• Financial Acumen: Understanding nonprofit finances early on can prevent future challenges.

8. Donor Practices and Sustainability Concerns

The conversation touches on the tension between donor expectations for sustainability and the inherent challenges faced by early-stage nonprofits.

[30:05] Dr. Nashley C.: "We have to think about sustainability in overhead and adding more revenue streams to ensure we stay around and serve the people."

Phil and Dr. Nashley discuss the importance of donors having faith in mission-driven organizations and the need for flexible, phased funding approaches to support long-term growth.

9. Vision for Beanpath’s Future and the Jackson Tech Community

Looking ahead, Dr. Nashley C. envisions expanding Beanpath’s influence through:

• Developing the Jackson Tech District: Incorporating housing and tech programming to create a sustainable tech ecosystem.
• Scaling Programs: Increasing the capacity of existing programs to serve more individuals.
• Replicating the Model: Establishing Beanpath-like organizations in other cities with similar needs.

[34:45] Dr. Nashley C.: "We have students that receive scholarships in year one that are now working at Fortune 500 companies... It would be great if Beanpath could exist in other communities as well."

10. Conclusion and Reflective Insights

The episode concludes with reflections on the critical role of nonprofits like Beanpath in fostering community resilience and technological advancement. Phil Buchanan emphasizes the diverse and indispensable contributions of nonprofits, echoing Dr. Nashley’s sentiments on the importance of supporting such organizations.

[37:03] Phil Buchanan: "Nashley represents the best of what the nonprofit sector supported by philanthropy in this country can be."

Hosts Grace and Phil encourage listeners to engage with and support their communities through informed and effective philanthropic actions.

Key Takeaways:

• Community-Centric Approach: Beanpath roots its initiatives in the specific needs of the Jackson community, ensuring relevance and impact.
• Adaptive Strategies: Navigating challenges like the pandemic by securing a dedicated space and expanding program offerings.
• Sustainable Growth: Balancing immediate needs with long-term sustainability through diversified funding.
• Inspiring Leadership: Dr. Nashley C.’s dedication serves as a model for effective and impactful nonprofit leadership.
• Future Aspirations: Ambitious plans to scale and replicate Beanpath’s success demonstrate the potential for widespread positive change.

Notable Quotes:

• Dr. Nashley C. on Community Investment:

  “We were wanting to pour into the community that poured into us because they were all looking for tech help...” [00:28]

• Dr. Nashley C. on the Meaning of Beanpath:

  “Bean is a seed that grows into a vine... a smaller piece of code that you can extend into other functions.” [02:46]

• Phil Buchanan on Nonprofit Sustainability:

  “It's so maddening for an early stage nonprofit... you have to just have some faith in the leader, some faith in the idea.” [30:05]

• Dr. Nashley C. on Team Building:

  “You need to find people that believe in your vision, that have good work ethic, and are committed to the mission.” [25:51]

Resources Mentioned:

• Beanpath: Beanpath.org
• Fidelity Charitable Catalyst Fund: fidelitycharitable.org
• Fetzer Institute: fetzer.org/givingdoneright

Connect with Giving Done Right:

• Website: givingdoneright.org
• Email: gdrpodcast@cep.org
• Sponsors: Fidelity Charitable Catalyst Fund, Fetzer Institute, Walton Family Foundation, John Templeton Foundation, and others.

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who have not listened. For a deeper dive, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode available on givingdoneright.org.