A Few Minutes With Pamela Gray Payton

As the first member of her family to earn a college degree, Pamela Gray Payton always believed she was destined for success, even though her high school counselor thought she’d make a better cashier.

Instead, she went on to graduate from UC San Diego, followed by a master’s degree from the University of San Diego. Her self-directed path led Pamela to her current position as The San Diego Foundation’s Vice President, Chief Impact and Partnerships Officer, in charge of forming partnerships with nonprofits throughout the region, with an emphasis on awarding grants that improve lives.
“As a result of the contributions we’ve received to support our COVID-19 Community Response, we have quite a lot of discretionary grant-making to do this year,” said Pamela, whose team evaluates those charitable social service organizations that would be the best fit.
A San Diego native, Pamela joined TSDF early last summer after 24 years at the University of San Diego as an administrator in government relations and communications.

Currently, she’s leading The San Diego Foundation’s newly-formed Black Community Investment Fund, a multi-million-dollar initiative to help qualified Black families purchase their first home by providing the down payment. LISC San Diego is among the fund’s financial supporters.

“Given the high cost of housing, coming up with the down payment is a huge barrier for a lot of people,” said Pamela, who’s devoted her life to breaking down barriers.

What makes the concept of home ownership so personally meaningful for you?

As an African-American woman who was once a divorced, single mother, I knew that if I was able to change my family’s trajectory, my ability to purchase a home was part of that solution.

For young families and those who have been working for many years and who have everything in place – credit, a stable job and a stable income – having enough savings for a down payment can be challenging.

This program provides the ability to get over that hump. Buyers will receive a grant making it possible for them to sign mortgage loan documents, so they can have a home that’s in their name. Then they’re able to send their kids to better schools and are able to start seeing appreciation of their home’s value, which leads to more economic opportunities and advancement.

That in mind, are you optimistic about San Diego’s economic and social justice future?

I’m certainly optimistic about the role that our organization is playing. Prior to George Floyd’s death last summer, many companies were unable or unwilling to recognize the impact of systemic racism. Now those same organizations are saying, “We want to be an anti-racism organization. How can we help? What can we do?”

So, yes, that gives me hope for a time in the future when things are just and fair, when more people of color have equal opportunities for success.

Were there incidents in your life when you realized that opportunity sometimes isn’t equal?

Growing up in San Diego, I experienced racism and have overcame plenty of challenges. Just yesterday, my mother and I were talking about my high school counselor who told me I wasn’t college material. He recommended that I take a class to be trained as a cashier.

I had gone to my counselor looking for college guidance. Instead, he immediately closed the door on my college potential even though I had great grades, and had teachers who believed in my abilities. Without realizing his advice was biased against me, I went ahead and learned how to be a cashier.

As things turned out, I also had bigger ambitions, so I graduated early from high school, and went to Grossmont College for a year. Then I got accepted at UCSD, where I earned my undergraduate degree. Later, I earned a master’s degree from USD. I’ve never been afraid of achieving success.

Looking back, what made you so motivated to succeed?

I was born in a small town in northeast Texas. When my parents and I moved to San Diego when I was 3 years old, we came here in search of greater opportunities. I owe my parents and all of my ancestors an incredible debt of gratitude. My motivation to succeed and also help others along the way is my repayment.

In my life, I’ve had people who believed in me. And that’s what we’re trying to do at The Foundation, to create a place for people – our donors -- who have the ability to support those furthest from opportunity.

Our BCIF donors are collectively helping those in need “get over the hump,” to change their life’s trajectory forever. I’m so proud of The San Diego Foundation for developing this initiative.