By Cornell Gorman
Co-Founder and Marketing Director
G.I.F.T. (Generating Income For Tomorrow)
“I didn’t know what was going on, but I knew I was supposed to pursue the thing I was being called to do.”
In so many ways, 2020 has been a disaster. A pandemic, deaths, disease and division have contaminated the foundational roots of our country’s core. Or maybe our country’s core was punctured and from it, greed, insensitivity and corruption reared their ugly heads. Whatever the case, millions of people in our nation now have to live their lives without a mother or father, a brother or aunt, a companion, or friend.
Many people are feeling stressed, anxious, uncertain and afraid. For those of us who have a spiritual belief, we pray and wait for guidance for what our next moves should be.
As we’re waiting on the Lord, we may be missing the fact that I believe the Lord is waiting on us. He’s waiting for us to take hold of the power, the resources, the gifts, and the community He’s already given to us. We are equipped with faith, hope, love and community.
Earlier this year, I stepped out on faith and quit my job. I told my wife I believed the Lord wanted me to pursue my own business — that I was feeling called to do work that I had not been formally trained or educated to do. It was a big step. I had my faith and my existing talents and gifts.
My wife and I stood together in faith and I left the job. One week later, Covid-19 hit. I didn’t know what was going on, but I knew I was supposed to pursue the thing I was being called to do.
There was no unemployment or stimulus money. Then, I saw Christopher Stewart’s (Co-Founder)post in a Facebook group with a compelling challenge that helped us envision the impact we could have if everyone in our group (15,000 people) donated $10 a month to support black-owned businesses in the urban core. From that reality “our faith took wings,” and the rest is history.
We were inspired to start the nonprofit organization, G.I.F.T. (Generating Income for Tomorrow) to support small businesses in Kansas City’s urban core.
I’m actively using all the gifts the Lord told me to sharpen:
- The faith that I was supposed to let my 9-5 go.
- The hope in knowing that if He takes care of the birds and trees, He will take care of me.
- The love and compassion I have for people and my city turned into a powerful nonprofit desperately needed in the urban core.
- And, the togetherness of working with like-minded individuals gifted in areas I’m not, to help build and pave the way for future generations.
The G.I.F.T. Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit established to create generational wealth, while also reducing instances of poverty-related crime and violence in the community. Success will be defined by business growth, job creation, and positive impact on the community. To learn how you can support G.I.F.T., visit kansascitygift.org.
