On August 28, 2025, the Smith Family Foundation NJ (SFFNJ) hosted its 4th annual conference — and this year, it felt like a homecoming. Guests traveled from as far as Texas, dressed in signature purple (even if only a tie or scarf), and gathered in community to reflect, reconnect, and recharge. With an atmosphere that blended family reunion warmth and visionary focus, the event marked the official launch of SFFNJ’s 10-year anniversary celebration.

The 2025 conference theme — “Rest Over Resilience” — challenged long-held narratives around leadership, strength, and sustainability in the Black philanthropic community. And from the opening keynote to the final cookout, the message was clear: our rest is revolutionary.

Rest Over Resilience: A Radical Reframe

This year’s theme, Rest Over Resilience, served as a bold and healing counter-narrative.

In a society that often rewards exhaustion and glorifies struggle, SFFNJ flipped the script — urging Black philanthropists, leaders, and changemakers to view rest as resistance and care as a strategy for longevity.

Rather than pushing through burnout, the conference invited attendees to honor rest as a sacred practice, especially in times of political unrest and social uncertainty. It was a powerful reminder that resilience doesn’t have to mean self-neglect.

Staying the Course: Holding the Line on Mission

A standout thread throughout the day was the importance of “staying the course.”

As conversations grow louder around which words are “acceptable” in public and political discourse, especially concerning DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), the conference issued a clear call: don’t get caught up in shifting language — stay rooted in your mission.

“Words may change, but our accountability to our communities does not.”

It was a reminder to remain steadfast, to resist watering down purpose for optics, and to ensure that our goals are not redefined by the shifting tides of politics or pressure.

Honoring Philanthropic Leadership: Tommi and Troy Vincent

One of the most memorable moments of the day came from this year’s featured philanthropists, Tommi and Troy Vincent of Love Thy Neighbor CDC.

Their keynote didn’t just deliver—it rocked the house.

They brought energy, transparency, and unwavering commitment to their message. But what stood out most was their presence — staying for the entire conference, taking notes, connecting with attendees, and truly participating in the spirit of community. Their leadership was both powerful and deeply personal.

A Cookout to Remember

SFFNJ conferences have a tradition of ending with a celebration—and this year’s cookout was the embodiment of joy and togetherness.

The music, food, laughter, and shared stories created a sense of comfort and belonging. As one attendee beautifully said, “I came in feeling stressed… but the moment I walked in, I felt at home.”

That sense of ease and restoration echoed the theme perfectly: rest as a collective experience.

A Call to Action: Bring Your Chair

In her closing remarks, SFFNJ CEO Katherine Nunnally, left the room with a charge, grounded in the words of Shirley Chisholm:

“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring your own chair.”

But Katherine added her own layer of truth — reminding us that the seat is not just for ourselves. It’s meant to empower others, to challenge internalized limitations, and to break down the barriers holding our communities back.

It was a call to use our platforms for progress, to build relationships that uplift, and to never forget why we do this work in the first place.

What’s Next: The Bridging the Gap Lecture Series

Looking ahead, the Foundation is proud to announce the launch of the Bridging the Gap Lecture Series — a new initiative that will bring philanthropists, organizers, and visionaries together for in-depth, honest conversations about the ongoing work of community-building.

These discussions will highlight the victories, confront the challenges, and forge new pathways toward lasting change.

With Gratitude

To our attendees who showed up in purple, to our sponsors who made this day possible, to our volunteers, speakers, and partners — thank you.

Thank you for your energy, your presence, and your continued belief in the power of community-led change. The 2025 conference was more than a moment — it was a movement, and the perfect beginning to a milestone year.

We are just getting started.

#RestOverResilience #StayTheCourse #SFFNJ10YearsStrong