Philanthropy Leaders Share Visions of a More Equitable Future at TIME100 Impact Dinner

At the TIME100 Impact Dinner to honor the most influential leaders in philanthropy in New York City on May 21, a group of honorees all stressed the same mission: investing in future generations and creating a more equitable world.

Among those honored were Michael Dell, the founder of Dell Computers, and his wife, Susan Dell, who together pledged to give $6.25 billion to seed investment accounts for approximately 25 million children in December––arguably the largest ever donation from Americans to Americans.

Susan stressed that talent is untapped all over the world, and that the right opportunity is all that’s needed to unfurl a child’s potential.

“The strength is already there, the talent is already there,” she said. “What’s missing is not potential—it’s access, it’s support, it’s someone who believes in them at the right moment.”

Michael expanded on his wife’s message, adding that an investment in one person ripples across time and space, touching even more lives. 

“Opportunity does not just change one life, it creates momentum across generations,” Michael said. “It strengthens families, communities, and nations. The future is not something we wait for.”

The actor Idris Elba and his wife, activist and businesswoman Sabrina Dhowre Elba, were also among the honorees. They have focused their efforts in the U.S., the U.K., and Africa. Through their Elba Hope Foundation, the couple has tackled issues including food insecurity, sustainability, and youth advocacy. On Thursday, they expressed their goal of changing the way the rest of the world views Africa and extending opportunities to the less fortunate. 

“Narrative is never merely narrative. The way a people are seen determines where empathy is extended, and it determines where investment is directed, where opportunity is offered, and most importantly, whose full humanity is permitted to be recognized,” Sabrina said. “Africa has been rendered through such a narrow lens of deficit and defined by need rather than contribution and struggle rather than strength. And we are really here to champion the changing of that narrative.”

“Talent, obviously, is universal, but opportunity isn’t,” she said. 

Chance the Rapper, another honoree, hones his influence and charity on young generations in his hometown through his organization Social Works Chicago, which works with mental health providers, the homeless, and public schools. During his toast on Thursday, he honored his Auntie Carolyn, whom he described as an “amazing woman” and a “fierce protector of children,” having previously run an unlicensed daycare out of her house.

“I think that is the duty and the vow that we’re taking by celebrating ourselves tonight––is that we’re continuing to look out for the children, that we are building a world that’s safe for them,” Chance said.

Anna Verghese, another honoree, created the Audacious Project, a collaborative funding initiative housed within TED that accrued over $1 billion across 35 donors and 13 nonprofits––in two-and-a-half days. While giving a toast on Thursday, Verghese shared what she has learned being surrounded by so many influential figures doing good in the world “who don’t fall for the ego trip of influence” but “fall in love with ghostwriting the most hopeful stories, when the world needs them most.” She called the mission of philanthropy a “beautiful burden” but also a joy. “People are suffering the world over. The planet is suffering. And if we can alleviate that suffering, we should.”

Honorees Tony Elumelu and his wife Dr. Awele Elumelu, the founders of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, also stressed the need for investment in young people in African countries. Tony pointed out that Africa is the youngest continent in the world, with an average age of approximately 19-years-old.

“We come from Africa,” he began his speech. “We believe, based on our own life story and history, that the best way to help develop a continent like Africa is through economic empowerment.” By investing in young African entrepreneurs, he said, “we’re actually investing in their families, in their communities, and in the future generations of Africa.” 

TIME100 Impact Dinner: Leaders Shaping the Future of Philanthropy was presented by Rolex, American Express, and The Macallan.