Chimamanda, others spotlighted by Melinda Gates for philanthropic impact

American philanthropist and businesswoman, Melinda French Gates, has spotlighted Nigerian author and speaker, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, as one of six women harnessing the power of philanthropy in remarkable ways. The list includes Zimbabwean social entrepreneur, Tsitsi Masiyiwa; Spanx inventor, Sara Blakely; fashion model, Karlie Kloss; American nonprofit leader, Cari Tuna; and entrepreneur, Anne Wojcicki.

French Gates said this in a conversation with Vanity Fair yesterday, expressing her newfound sense of freedom and control over her resources, one that has ushered in a new chapter in her philanthropic journey. “I have full control over my resources now, and that feels fantastic,” she remarked, emphasising her role as a leader and model for others with similar means.

For French Gates, each woman’s work has a distinct vision for philanthropy, ranging from disaster preparedness to developing African literary talent. Still, all share a commitment to advancing gender equality and empowering marginalised communities.

Masiyiwa, co-founder of the Higherlife Foundation, has dedicated her life to uplifting African communities through education and disaster preparedness. Reflecting on her journey, Masiyiwa shared that her philanthropic efforts are driven by a sense of responsibility rather than wealth. “It had nothing to do with money. It was a burden and a cause,” she explained. Her latest venture, Masana wa Afrika, focuses on supporting small, community-based organisations often overlooked by larger funders.

Renowned American entrepreneur, Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx and latest shoe invention, Sneex, is also using her platform to empower women and girls through education, entrepreneurship, and the arts. Her foundation has pledged to support thousands of young girls through programs like Camp Invention, aimed at nurturing creativity and innovation.

Meanwhile, Chimamanda Adichie has been using her global influence to create opportunities for African literary voices through the Purple Hibiscus Trust Workshop. Adichie’s writing workshops develop talent across the continent.

“Growing up, I don’t know that I would be the person I am without books. And so I think it’s profoundly important that we make sure that people who want to live the life of the mind can do so,” she noted. For French Gates, by sharing her own story, Adichie has inspired other women to share theirs.

Supermodel Karlie Kloss has also made a significant impact with her coding camp, Kode With Klossy, which provides technical skills to girls and gender-expansive teens. Since its founding in 2015, the camp has expanded globally, empowering thousands of young people to pursue careers in tech. French Gates admires Kloss’s efforts to provide opportunities in tech, saying she helps girls see themselves in the industry and become leaders.

Anne Wojcicki, CEO of 23andMe, co-founded the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, a prestigious award recognizing scientific achievements. Wojcicki believes in making science relatable and accessible, which aligns with her mission of shifting societal perceptions about who can be a scientist.

Former Wall Street Journal reporter, Cari Tuna, left her journalism career to focus on philanthropy. She co-founded Good Ventures and later launched Open Philanthropy, both organisations dedicated to identifying and addressing societal blind spots. Tuna’s work is data-driven and thorough, a reflection of her journalistic roots. French Gates lauds Tuna’s ability to apply journalistic rigor to her philanthropic endeavours.

Having spent decades working on global health and development issues, French Gates is now collaborating closely with other women who are driving change in their respective fields. According to Nielsen IQ and reported by Vanity Fair, women are set to control $31.8 trillion of global expenditure by 2024 and will account for 75 per cent of discretionary spending over the next five years. This shift in financial power is increasingly shaping the landscape of charitable giving, with women like Gates and her peers leading the charge.

As Melinda French Gates embarks on this next era, she is not only leveraging her resources to create change but also encouraging others to rethink the traditional approach to philanthropy. Alongside her peers, she is working to redefine what it means to give back—ensuring that the wealth of knowledge, talent, and resources is distributed equitably across the globe.