Celebrating Black Philanthropy Month And The Tradition Of Black Giving – Seattle Medium

Sen. Twina Nobles, D-28

By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium

August is Black Philanthropy Month and philanthropic leaders both locally and around the world will use it as an opportunity to celebrate the legacy of Black giving and inspire increased investment in Black communities.

Started in 2011 by Dr. Jackie Bouvier Copeland and the Pan-African Womens Philanthropy Network, Black Philanthropy Month is a month-long celebration that aims to illuminate the ingenuity and transformative impact of Black generosity.

According to Dr. Copeland, for the descendants of Africa living in America giving back to the community to sustain ourselves and survive after slavery was the only means Black communities had because we did not have access to the same capital and resources as our White counterpart.

That James Brown song, I dont need nobody to give me nothin, just open up the door and Ill help myself, recites Copeland during an interview with The Seattle Medium. That is the story of Black giving, homegrown Black giving and homegrown Black business development.

This is the first year that Black Philanthropy Month will be celebrated in Washington State, organizations like the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle and the Black Future Co-Op Fund, a local, Black-led philanthropic organization that seeks to uplift Black-led solutions that ignite Black generational wealth, health, and well-being, are optimistic about the possibilities that stem from this years celebration.

Governor Jay Inslee recently issued a proclamation naming August Black Philanthropy Month in Washington.

According to Gov. Inslee, That proclamation recognizes the rich history Black Washingtonians have of investing their time, talent, treasure and care for Washingtons communities.

This is first time Black Philanthropy Month will be celebrated in the state of Washington, and recognized by the Governor and the whole state, says Michelle Merriweather, CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle. So, we are really excited to shine a light on and celebrate Black philanthropy and all facets of it.

Throughout the month of August, the founders of the Black Future Co-op Fund and other local Black philanthropic leaders will host a series of virtual events about the legacy of Black generosity and exploring how we can collectively invest in a liberated future by, forand with Black Washingtonians. The theme for the events is Demystifying Philanthropy: Moving Toward Black Abundance. The schedule of events are as follows:

Tuesday, Aug. 17 at 12 to 1:30 pm Black Philanthropy Is Community Care.Black generosity is grounded in a sense of collective responsibility to community. From the Black church that has shaped consistent giving to the ways Black communities rally to supportneighbors needs, Black philanthropy nourishes community wealth and well-being. Learn from Black leaders about the myriad ways Black giving has bolstered Black communities and influenced the field of philanthropy.

Tuesday, Aug. 24 at 12 to 1:30 pmFrom Institutional Philanthropic Redlining to Black Freedom.Black people have long given time, talent, and treasure to care for their communities. At the same time, white-led philanthropy has for decades systematically under-invested in Black communities.Hear from Black philanthropic leaders who are forging new pathways to self-determination in the face of persistent racism, and explore together how we create a liberated future.

Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 5 to 6:30 pm Where Is the Money?In the wake of social justice uprisings, corporations, foundations, and individuals made pledges to address anti-Black racism and improve equity. While some money has made it out the door, many who made commitments have yet to fulfill their promises. Delve into how words without action perpetuate anti-Black racism; what it will take to move beyond words to real change; and how we hold people, foundations, and corporations accountable.

Senator Twina Nobles, one of the founders of the Black Future Co-Op Fund, is excited about the possibilities that can come from our community working together and investing in ourselves and our organizations.

I am excited about the work Black Future Co-op is doing, says Nobles. Because we really have been able to highlight, in partnership with the community, significant events and moments and celebrate things as Black people and one of those things being Black Philanthropy.

Since the murder of George Floyd, justice reform particularly economic reform and equality has been at the forefront of the Black community. Just as civil rights was the argument of the 1950s and 60s, todays fight for equity is a continuum morphing into economic justices, and Black philanthropy has taken the baton to bring about financial equity and access to venture capital to continue to build a vibrant Black community.

Today Black Philanthropy Month is global movement, says Dr. Copeland. It celebrates and empowers black giving in all of its forms and it promotes funding equity as a racial justice issue.

Proponents of the Black philanthropy movement says that its important toacknowledge thatanti-Black racism has purposely ignored the Black communities contributions to philanthropy, and anti-Black racism has persistently undermined opportunities for Black people to build generational wealth. Moving toward Black abundance requires intentional, significant investment in Black communities.

We need to get those investments in the Black community, says Nobles. All the people who are standing up to address anti-Black racism we want to see them follow through on those commitments. It has been great to see our partners step up in the name of Black Philanthropy Month to commit to investment funds, so that that money can go back out into the community.

For the members of the Black Future Co-Op Fund, many people give back in many ways and philanthropy is defined by the individual. But regardless of what you do, they want people to know that they are making a difference in our community.

You define what philanthropy is to you, says Merriweather. It could be your tithe and offerings at church, time at your son or daughters school, mentoring a young person who is not related to you, you define what philanthropy is for you. I just ask that you do for the betterment of your community and in that we all win.

For more information on Black Philanthropy Month, local events or to register, visitblackfuturewa.org/BPM2021.

More:

Celebrating Black Philanthropy Month And The Tradition Of Black Giving - Seattle Medium