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Celebrating Black Philanthropy Month: Honoring a Legacy of Giving and Empowerment

Kim Anthony • Aug 01, 2023
In the month of August, a special occasion takes center stage, shining a spotlight on a rich tradition of generosity, empowerment, and positive change within the Black community. Black Philanthropy Month is a time to celebrate and honor the incredible legacy of giving that has helped shape communities, bridge gaps, and drive meaningful progress for generations.

Understanding Black Philanthropy:

Black Philanthropy Month is more than just a month on the calendar; it's a reflection of a deeply ingrained culture of giving, empowerment, and community upliftment. For centuries, Black individuals and organizations have been at the forefront of philanthropic efforts, leveraging their resources, time, and expertise to create lasting change in areas ranging from education and healthcare to social justice and economic development.

Empowering Communities:

At the heart of Black Philanthropy Month is the acknowledgment that philanthropy goes beyond financial contributions. It encompasses a spirit of empathy, unity, and empowerment. Many Black philanthropists not only provide financial support but also actively engage in advocacy, mentorship, and capacity-building efforts. By investing in education, entrepreneurship, and grassroots initiatives, Black philanthropists play a crucial role in uplifting underserved communities and helping individuals achieve their full potential.

Amplifying Underrepresented Voices:

One of the remarkable aspects of Black Philanthropy Month is its ability to amplify underrepresented voices and stories. It offers a platform to highlight the contributions of Black philanthropists, both historical figures and contemporary leaders, who have made a significant impact on society. By sharing these narratives, Black Philanthropy Month inspires individuals from all backgrounds to engage in philanthropy, promoting inclusivity and diversity within the giving landscape.

Cultivating a Culture of Giving:

Black Philanthropy Month encourages us to reflect on the various ways in which we can contribute to positive change within our communities. It's a call to action for individuals, families, and organizations to consider how they can make a difference through their own unique strengths, whether that's through financial contributions, volunteer work, mentorship, or advocacy.

Getting Involved:

As Black Philanthropy Month unfolds, there are numerous ways to get involved and contribute to the celebration:

Learn: Take the time to learn about the history of Black philanthropy, both locally and globally. Understand the challenges that communities face and the innovative solutions that philanthropists have championed.

Support Organizations: Identify and support Black-led nonprofit organizations that are making a significant impact in areas you are passionate about.

Engage: Engage in conversations about philanthropy, both within the Black community and beyond. Encourage open dialogues about the importance of giving back and making a positive impact.

Share Stories: Share stories of Black philanthropists who have inspired you. Use social media platforms to raise awareness and showcase the incredible work being done.

Participate: Attend events, webinars, and workshops related to Black Philanthropy Month. These events offer opportunities to connect, learn, and collaborate with like-minded individuals.

In Conclusion:

Black Philanthropy Month serves as a powerful reminder that philanthropy is a universal language of compassion and empowerment. It celebrates the contributions of Black philanthropists while encouraging all individuals to actively engage in creating positive change. By honoring the legacy of giving within the Black community, we collectively move closer to a world where everyone can thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances.
By Kim Anthony 30 Jul, 2020
With more than 25 years of experience in the film industry, Sandra Evers-Manly has made a lasting imprint on both the filmmaking community and the community at large. Her investment of time, talent, and money by developing and producing film projects, creating audience engagement, youth training in film and assisting both veteran and emerging filmmakers have made her an icon for support and excellence.
By Kim Anthony 30 Jul, 2020
Color Of Change and Michael B. Jordan launched the #ChangeHollywood initiative to answer calls for action across the industry with infrastructure that will create concrete, measurable solutions towards racial justice. The collaboration between an actor-producer on the inside and racial justice advocates on the outside begins with a roadmap for change that lays out tangible ways to invest in anti-racist content and authentic Black stories, invest in Black talent, and reinvest police funds to support Black communities. Throughout the initiative, companies, executive leadership, staff and talent will be provided with recommendations as well as forthcoming resources to support follow through, including directories, templates, analysis, taskforce convenings, writers’ rooms, consulting sessions, and emerging ideas. Key aspects of the roadmap include: Investing in Anti-Racist Content & Authentic Black Stories through educational materials, resource lists and content creation support. Investing in Black Talent & Careers with advancements in recruitment, hiring practices, trainings and transparent disclosures. Shifting Investment in Police towards Investment in Black Communities including advocating for independent security, support for Black owned businesses, financial support of community-led programing and new streams of communication between the industry and Black communities. You can view the full roadmap here. “The legacy of racism in Hollywood is long and unforgivable: excluding Black talent, silencing Black voices, derailing Black careers, and using the economic power of the industry to prop up police who target and enact violence on Black communities,” said Rashad Robinson, president of Color Of Change. “We know from our advocacy that the industry won’t change on it’s own, so we’re building off our current work to hold Hollywood accountable to offer these resources and a roadmap toward enacting racial justice. From the writers’ rooms to the streets, we are energized and ready to help Hollywood follow through on their statements that Black lives matter.” “This roadmap is just the beginning of the journey to racial justice. We are all accomplices in the fight to transform Hollywood, and we invite content creators and industry leaders to join us in working together to #ChangeHollywood,” said Michael B. Jordan, CEO of Outlier Society. “We look forward to including a variety of voices in doing what we do best: telling authentic stories, bringing people together, partnering with influential artists, and changing the rules of the game.” Outlier Society and Color Of Change have already begun conversations with companies like WME and Endeavor Content and organizations like BLD PWR about commitments to this initiative, with more details to come. The #ChangeHollywood initiative is urging everyone in the industry to make these bold moves to affirm, defend and invest in Black lives through honest storytelling, value-aligned financial investment and systemic change within the industry. Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by over 1.7 million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and governments to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America. Visit www.colorofchange.org Outlier Society is a cutting-edge production company focused on showcasing an eclectic and inclusive lineup of diverse stories and voices. Outlier Society is investing in the cultural and economic power of Black content, careers, and communities.
By Kim Anthony 29 Jul, 2020
Mending Kids, a nonprofit organization is hosting its first ever “MASKrAID Campaign” virtual online auction to raise funds for the ongoing shortages of PPE for frontline health care workers, teachers and students in disadvantaged communities. The auction will launch on Wednesday, July 29, 2020. Up for bid will be a collection of one-of-a-kind celebrity designed/illustrated masks. Matthew McConaughey, Thandie Newton, Kaia Gerber, Gene Simmons, Courteney Cox, Sam Elliott, and dozens more iconic and civic-minded individuals have come together in support of Mending Kids’ commitment to serve children, teachers, and frontline workers in areas suffering from the financial devastation of the pandemic. Over the past few months COVID-19 has worsened and amplified the health disparity gap among disproportionately inequitable populations. With the push to open schools, educators are the new frontline workers. As in-person learning resumes, these communities will have an urgent and overwhelming need for basic safety supplies. Like many organizations, Mending Kids has also been affected by the pandemic, but rather than close its doors, the nonprofit has taken a proactive stance by redirecting its efforts to serve and bring relief to local communities in need. The “MASKrAID Campaign” aims to fight health disparities in depressed areas. The first weeklong auction opens to the public on Wednesday, July 29, 2020. MASKrAID will not be a typical auction, but a powerful and impactful event to raise awareness, support the vulnerable and save lives. To help raise critical funds, promote iconic individuals and learn more about MASKrAID please click here. “More importantly, we hae always been champions of addressing health disparity and we think that MASKrAID will be a great opportunity for iconic individuals to come together and throw their mask in the ring in support of kids everywhere.” -Isabelle Fox, Executive Director Mending Kids.
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