"Not Your Typical Book Party"

The launch of President Clinton’s new book GIVING: How Each of Us Can Change the World, was, in his own words, “not your typical book party.” In the auditorium of the Harlem Children’s Zone, a nonprofit featured in the book which offers social, community and educational services to enhance the lives of families in Harlem, President Clinton unveiled his newest book for an auditorium of media, community members and celebrated givers. Rachael Ray and Madeleine Albright, along with other givers praised in the book, came out to support the launch.

Journalist and broadcaster Tavis Smiley moderated a panel discussion between multiple givers whose stories appear in the book, including Geoffrey Canada, the President and CEO of Harlem Children’s Zone; Majora Carter, founder of Sustainable South Bronx which supports environmental justice through innovative, economically sustainable projects in her community; Mark Grashow, a retired school teacher from Brooklyn who founded the U.S.-Africa Children’s Fellowship with his wife, which partners New York schools with African counterparts; Premal Shah, the president of Kiva.org, the world’s first person-to-person microlending website; and McKenzie Steiner, a six-year-old California native, who organized a beach clean up in her hometown.

Over the hour long discussion, panelists shared their inspirations for their work and traded ideas on how to encourage more people to get involved in philanthropy. Majora Carter described giving as an act that “inspires people to think above and beyond the expectations they have of themselves and others have for them.”

Shah spoke about his visit to India that inspired him to give after seeing firsthand the impact small microfinance loans had empowering local women. “Having the opportunity to see your impact is one of the things that motivates giving,” he said.

McKenzie Steiner, the youngest giver on stage, told the audience she wanted to pick up trash at the beach after seeing pictures of animals dying due to pollution along the shoreline.

Although each member was inspired by a different vision for change, the panel embodied President Clinton’s belief that everyone, regardless of age, income, background or location, can give something to make a difference. You can read more about their efforts in GIVING, on bookstands now.