We recently caught up with Trust donor Melora Love for a conversation about her experience as an opera singer, her career as a mortgage originator, and her philanthropic goals. She has created a legacy fund at The Trust through her estate plans.
Name: Melora Love
Borough: Manhattan
Top Causes: Human rights, the environment, people with disabilities, food security
How did you hear about The Trust?
From my financial planner, Nicole Francis, who is herself a Trust donor. Nicole guided me over time from having nothing but debt to being able to join The Trust as a donor for future causes.
Nicole and I had a dear friend, Annie, who lived to be 105. As part of her estate plan, she left her money to The Trust. Annie had originally planned to give her money to one particular opera company—and then, come to find out, that opera company no longer exists.
That’s what I like about The Trust. We don’t know what’s going to happen beyond our lifetime, right? Organizations come and go. So, if you can just say, “I love music,” and know that opera companies around New York will be supported, you can be sure you’ll be making a difference beyond your lifetime.
I’m from Mississippi originally, and I’ve been in New York City for 26 years. This is my home, so it just feels right to support the people of this community.
What brought you to New York?
I’m a classically trained opera singer. I have a master’s in vocal performance from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, and I got to tour the U.S. with the San Francisco Opera’s young artist program and apprentice at the Santa Fe Opera for a couple of summers.
There’s nothing like New York City for opportunities in the arts. It’s where everything happens! Opera is everywhere you go—even on the subway.
Plus, coming of age in a conservative state—where the word “gay” has a different meaning—I wanted the freedom to be completely myself. So, I had to get out to be out. In New York I feel I can be fully self-expressed in all ways, and the arts are a big part of that.
People listen to music because they want to be moved. The singer is there to help people find something inside of themselves that maybe they’ve never discovered, or they’ve lost the feeling of. Or they remember how it feels, and they’re just enjoying it with you.
How did you transition from opera to your current career?
I got into the mortgage business about 25 years ago and really enjoy it.
It’s funny because people say, “How did you go from opera to mortgage?” And it’s very easy. You have one opportunity to sing a really good high note on stage, and I have one opportunity—on a call, usually—to get a customer to use me for a loan. I bring the same passion and energy to each situation, whether it’s music or helping make home ownership dreams come true.
What’s your connection with the causes you plan to support?
Human rights with an emphasis on LGBTQ+ people is a passion of mine, because I know how hard it can be to feel free to self-express in that way. I spent my early years hiding in shame about this.
I want to support human rights broadly. LGBTQ+ rights may one day be resolved—I hope it’s in my lifetime!—but another group may be a target.
My grandfather lost his vision in an accident, and there weren’t many resources for him. So, making the world kinder and better for people with disabilities is really important to me. I also want to make sure people have food and housing and can enjoy nature. Open spaces offer wonder and discovery, relieve stress, and inspire imagination and creativity.
What led to your interest in philanthropy?
There is something about being born with the name “Love” that I think inspired me to love giving. There’s nothing that gives me more joy than to give and spread love. I was born for that mission.
Now, as I’m aging, I’m more aware that there’s going to be an end date. So, I’m thinking about how I can continue my life’s purpose beyond my physical being here. I’m also thinking about wealth redistribution through legacy giving.
To be able to do that through The New York Community Trust—to be able to be a blessing beyond my lifetime—it just lights me up.
