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Black Philanthropy Month: Insights From Our Community

A girl in a pink jacket is running on a sidewalk with chalk.

This Black Philanthropy Month, we’re celebrating the unique and crucial contributions of Black community members and leaders who champion a more fair and just Brooklyn. This year’s theme of “Afro-Futures of Giving” calls us in to think about the continuing legacy of Black and African American giving traditions, and imagine where where we can go from here. Below, we’re sharing insights from our Brooklyn Org community on how Black Philanthropy Month resonates with them:

 

Black philanthropy means an empowered and greater future, full of opportunity and hope. It is a powerful and communal act that honors our past, empowers our present, and expands our future, regardless of the amount donated. Brian Reid, Strategy at Mother, Brooklyn Org Brand Partner
Philanthropy is an unapologetic call-to-action for us to stand in the breach by listening to the will and priorities set by our communities, providing sustainable support, and then moving out of the way! Lawanna Kimbro, Managing Director of Stardust Fund & Brooklyn Org Board Member
Black Philanthropy Month recognizes that African American leaders are at the forefront of empowering innovation with charitable causes that address systemic inequalities, foster community support, and create pathways to education and social initiatives within the Black community and society at large. Lesleigh Irish-Underwood, Chief External Relations Officer (CXO) & Head of Brand at Vibrant Emotional Health & Brooklyn Org Board Member
Philanthropy is society’s realization that the ‘market’ is an insufficient mechanism for allocating capital to places & people that need it most. Philanthropy is a necessary enabler if we are to collectively unlock all human potential. Shelley Stewart III, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company & Brooklyn Org Board Member
Philanthropy is a way of taking practical steps to correct injustices of the past and building a more equitable, just world. Personally, philanthropy is a way to honor the struggles and sacrifices of my family and ancestors. I am committed to carrying forward their legacies to impact as many people as I can. Michelle DeFossett, COO of Girls Who Invest & Brooklyn Org Board Member

This article contains some content originally published in August 2023

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