Thank you for celebrating Black Philanthropy Month 2014! It was wonderful to learn of the many events held, op-eds written and stories of giving shared. The month kicked off big with the mayor of Charlotte, NC proclaiming August as Black Philanthropy Month at acivic engagement forumthat featured Dr. Emmett Carson, president and CEO of Silicon Valley Community Foundation and recently appointed as the first Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Chair on Community Foundations. Jackie Copeland Carson, Dr. Carson’s wife and the founder of Black Philanthropy Month, penned an op-ed in the Huffington Post titled “Our New Brave World: A Black Philanthropy Month 2014 Call to Action.” She wrote:
“I created Black Philanthropy Month (BPM) back in 2011 as a time to celebrate, review and renew our rich traditions of giving, self-help and social innovation. As has been true throughout our history, our collective giving and action are still keys to our success. But I feel compelled to temper my usual celebratory BPM kickoff post with an urgent call to reshape our Movement for the times.”
The article is first in a series of commentaries that will share her views on new principles for black giving and promising examples to inspire innovation.
Throughout the month BPM 2014 events were held in Boston, Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco that featured nationally renowned speakers, community leaders, grassroots givers and local black philanthropy affinity groups. Although August has ended, black philanthropy continues here at BlackGivesBack.com and at these upcoming events:
The Power of Black Giving
The Black Benefactors giving circle in Washington, DC will host “The Power of Black Giving,”an evening of food and philanthropy with ABFE (Association of Black Foundation Executives) on Wednesday, September 17th. Among the topics of discussion are: a history of black philanthropy and its evolution; giving trends among African-Americans; how you can become more strategic in giving of your time, talent and treasure using ABFE's Responsive Philanthropy in Black Communities (RPBC) framework tool; and in the wake of Ferguson and other related events, how you can engage in advocacy for systemic change. Visit here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Dialogues in Leadership
New York Blacks in Philanthropy presents “Dialogues in Leadership & Fall Mixer” on Wednesday, October 1st that will feature a discussion with Denice Williams, Assistant Commissioner, City of New York and moderated by Toya Williford of the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City. Register here.
Gantt Symposium 2014 - Common: A Lecture on Greatness
The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts+Culture in Charlotte, NC presents artist, actor, and philanthropist, Common as the 2014 Gantt Symposium speaker on Thursday, October 2nd. The museum states that Common’s appearance is an ideal end-cap to the dialogues inspired by the Question Bridge: Black Males exhibition, and a dynamic segue into their 40th Anniversary celebrationthat will celebrate artists who use their work to transform awareness, empower youth, and affect social and creative change. Visit here to learn more.
Continue to share ways to give back, stories of black philanthropy and events throughout the year using #BPM365!