As the calendar page turns to August, we welcome Black Philanthropy Month—a global celebration of African-descent giving. Giving in all its forms is a longstanding tradition in the Black community with roots dating back prior to chattel slavery in the United States. According to a 2012 study by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, two-thirds of Black households engage in charitable giving that totals roughly $11 billion a year.
In celebration of Black Philanthropy Month, take a look back at The Excellence of Black Philanthropy, a lively panel discussion held during the inaugural We Give Summit featuring:
- Dr. Jacqueline Copeland, founder and president of the Women Invested to Save Earth (WISE) Fund and the founder of Black Philanthropy Month;
- Dr. Tyrone McKinley Freeman, assistant professor of philanthropic studies at Indiana University and author of Madame C.J. Walker’s Gospel of Giving: Black Women’s Philanthropy During Jim Crow;
- Kia Jarmon, co-founder and co-chair of Give Black, Give Back;
- Edward Jones, vice president of programs at the Association of Black Foundation Executives (ABFE); and
- Terry Love, chair of the Board of Directors for the Community Investment Network
These leaders in Black Philanthropy discussed the roots of Black giving and how that legacy has contributed to the current state of charitable giving for Black communities across the world.
Watch the full discussion below or continue read a full recap at Giving Compass.
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Ilyasah N Shabazz
For more than a decade, Ilyasah has worked with nonprofits to help them grow their audience by telling impactful stories, implementing strategic plans, and streamlining digital communications. A proud New Yorker, Ilyasah now lives in Greensboro, NC.