Nickie Davis of Moms Love Forever: 5 Things You Need To Create A Successful & Effective Nonprofit That Leaves A Lasting Legacy
Stay consistent and reevaluate your goals every so often. For example, after doing the events for the families, I have now started also just speaking at various prisons and sharing my experience. I didn’t have that in mind when I first started the organization, but it has morphed into that, and I now want to incorporate helping mothers in prison to ensure they are getting their credits with the First Step Act.
For someone who wants to set aside money to establish a Philanthropic Foundation or Fund, what does it take to make sure your resources are being impactful and truly effective? In this interview series, called “How To Create Philanthropy That Leaves a Lasting Legacy” we are visiting with founders and leaders of Philanthropic Foundations, Charitable Organizations, and Non-Profit Organizations, to talk about the steps they took to create sustainable success.
As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Nickie Davis.
Nickie Davis stands as one of the most dynamic and influential figures in both the entertainment industry and the non-profit world. As the Director of Development for Unscripted Projects at Cedric the Entertainer’s, A Bird and a Bear Entertainment, and the Founder/President of Moms Love Forever, Nickie’s life path is a testament to the power of creativity, purpose, and dedication. From producing hit television shows to championing causes for families impacted by incarceration, her journey is as inspiring as it is impactful.
Thank you for making time to visit with us about a ‘top of mind’ topic. Our readers would like to get to know you a bit better. Can you please tell us about one or two life experiences that most shaped who you are today?
The first life experience that shaped who I am today is having my daughter. Becoming a mother was such a life changing experience because up until that point, I was focused on me and my life and all the things I needed to do in order to feel fulfilled. When you have a child, at least for me, you realize what real love is and how it feels to be willing to give up your life for someone else without a moment of hesitation. That’s a powerful thing and changes your perspective on everything.
You are a successful leader. Which three-character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? We would love to hear a few stories or examples.
POSITIVE AND GRATEFUL– Gratitude on a daily basis is underrated and I truly believe that if you start off your day with reminding yourself of at least 3 things you are grateful for — you start your day out on a positive note and will make everything in your day better.
DILIGENT & DISCIPLINED — You need to be willing to put in the work and stay disciplined in life to accomplish your goals. Every morning, I start with prayers and also a list of all the things I need to accomplish that day or in the coming weeks and refer back to it throughout the day to make sure I take care of what I need to. This simple step is truly a life changer. Part of being disciplined is also taking the time to continually educate yourself and read. Keeping up with the news and not just the gossip on social media is important. Learn what others are doing in the world — it will be a big source of inspiration and guidance in your path to success. While I was in college, a mentor taught me the importance of reading the news. All types of news. It is important for your success in business but also simply as an individual.
RELATIONSHIP BUILDER — Take time to nourish and build relationships with people that you can learn from and who can help you succeed. Make it part of your day. You cannot be successful on your own. You need people. Take time to learn from others and admire others. Give compliments freely.
What’s the most interesting discovery you’ve made since you started leading your organization?
I have been impressed with how people that believe in the same cause are willing to help each other. I had been warned that charities in the same space are competitive and don’t want to help each other. I have not found that to be true.
Can you please tell our readers more about how you or your organization intends to make a significant social impact?
While we are hosting events now that bring children together with their parents that are incarcerated, ultimately, we would like to be able to assist in bringing parents back into the homes as soon as possible simply by assisting parents, especially mothers, that are eligible for the First Step Act, to be released on time. The First Step Act was passed under President Trump’s first term, and it is really the most significant criminal justice reform to happen in decades and has reunited families more than any other piece of legislation for non-violent offenders. However, within the federal prison system there is so much dysfunction that often, people that qualify for the First Step Act are not given their appropriate credits and not released on time, so they end up spending more time in jail than they are supposed to. This is not right, and we want to be part of seeing that the First Step Act is effectively implemented for all the non-violent offenders that qualify.
What makes you feel passionate about this cause more than any other?
It goes without saying that my own personal experience allowed me to witness first-hand the problems with our justice system and how important connection with the family is for preventing recidivism.
Without naming names, could you share a story about an individual who benefitted from your initiatives?
With the programs we are currently running — the family days, I can only tell you that there are a great number of mothers and fathers in custody that have come up to me and told me how grateful they are and what a special day it was for them and for their children. We can tell that the children are happy by their smiles and by their laughter and joy. Honestly, these are good memories we are creating, albeit bittersweet.
We all want to help and to live a life of purpose. What are three actions anyone could take to help address the root cause of the problem you’re trying to solve?
1) Give people a chance. I have met a number of amazing, kindhearted people that were incarcerated that truly just want a chance to start over, crime free. Have room for empathy in your heart.
2) Participate in programs like ours that try to spread joy and maintain the bonds between children and their parents that are incarcerated.
3) Don’t be so judgmental. You never know someone’s story unless you really take the time to listen or hear it and remember — it’s never the child’s fault. Show love.
Based on your experience, what are the “5 Things You Need to Create a Successful & Effective Nonprofit That Leaves a Lasting Legacy?”
1. I think it’s important to first ask yourself why you want to create a particular non-profit and is it something that you are still going to care about in 1 year, 5 years, 10 years? Is this something that you think you and future generations should care about. I know that I will NEVER stop caring about strengthening the bonds between children and their moms (parents) that are incarcerated.
2. A Plan. I think that you should have a plan for what you want to accomplish with your nonprofit and start with goals that are attainable so that you don’t get discouraged. For example, when I started Moms Love Forever, I had a goal to simply do one event in the first year. I ended up doing two events and was pumped up and ready to do more! You have to find ways to keep even yourself motivated.
3. Fundraise. In order to have a non-profit, you need to raise funds and think about who it is or from which organizations you might be able to do that with.
4. Meet other people with the same passion. I think it’s important to reach out to others that have similar passions to your non-profit. You can learn so much by collaborating and talking with others that are working in the space that your non-profit is operating in. The first month that I started my non-profit, I just cold called other non-profits that I had read about and went to lunch, and coffees and meetings and it was wonderful. I met the people that ran the Get on the Bus program that are still wonderful collaborators for us. I met others too that helped me and just introduced me to others that are in the same space.
5. Stay consistent and reevaluate your goals every so often. For example, after doing the events for the families, I have now started also just speaking at various prisons and sharing my experience. I didn’t have that in mind when I first started the organization, but it has morphed into that, and I now want to incorporate helping mothers in prison to ensure they are getting their credits with the First Step Act.
How has the pandemic changed your definition of success?
I don’t believe the pandemic has made a difference on my definition of success.
How do you get inspired after an inevitable setback?
I read a book that once said when you feel down because of a setback — and we all will have setbacks no matter who you are — take a moment and jot down the times in your life when you accomplished something that you are really proud of; try to jot down three at least. Doing this will not only remind you of how you felt when you did those things, but it will remind you of your worth and how amazing you have been in life — and encourage you to continue on. When faced with a setback, you can go into the corner and cry, or you can choose to pick yourself up and move forward and learn from the setback. What can you learn something from the setback? Remind yourself of the many times something that seemed like a setback was in fact, a blessing in disguise.
You’re doing important work. How can our readers follow your progress online?
YES — please go to our website www.momsloveforever.org or our Instagram page: @momsloveforeverla
Thank you for a meaningful conversation. We wish you continued success with your mission.
Nickie Davis of Moms Love Forever: 5 Things You Need To Create A Successful & Effective Nonprofit… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.