Celebrating Black-Led Nonprofits On Brooklyn Gives Nonprofit Connection

Aug 23, 2024

This Black Philanthropy Month (BPM), Brooklyn Org is sharing the stories of small, local Black-led nonprofits that are registered on Brooklyn Gives Nonprofit Connection, our first-of-its-kind platform that helps Brooklynites learn more about the incredible nonprofits serving our communities. As part of this year’s Black Philanthropy Month theme of “Afro-Futures of Giving,” we spoke with the leaders of small-but-mighty and emerging Black-led nonprofits with modest operating budgets to shine a light on their plans for the future of their organizations, and their connection to the borough:

Beyond the Block NYC

We spoke with Bianca Signez, LMSW, Founder of Beyond the Block NYC, a nonprofit that aims to reduce violence and promote positive youth development through mentoring, enrichment activities, and academic support:

What are your future goals for your organization?

My goals for Beyond the Block NYC is to build a recreational center in Flatbush that offers wrap-around services for youth and community members. Additionally, I hope to charter our organization in different cities such as DC and Chicago.

How can people get involved in your work?

Our community events are always open to the public and volunteers are often needed. Follow us on social media @beyondtheblock.nyc for any available opportunities and learn more on our website at beyondtheblocknyc.org.

Why did you register your nonprofit on Brooklyn Org’s Nonprofit Connection platform?

Brooklyn Org has a huge platform of viewers from different geographic areas that I may not be able to reach on my own.

Brooklyn to you in one word?

Home.

Visit Beyond The Block on Brooklyn Gives Nonprofit Connection

Woman smiling outside, wearing a black T-shirt with "BEYOND THE BLOCK" printed in green and white letters. She has long black hair styled in a high ponytail.

Bianca Signez, LMSW, Founder of Beyond the Block NYC

Courtesy of Beyond the Block NYC

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Collective Focus Resource Hub

We spoke with Georgina Edmonds, Board Member at Collective Focus Resource Hub, an artist-run mutual aid on the border of Bushwick and Bed-Stuy committed to building community resilience through free resource distribution and cultural & wellness events:

What are your future goals for your organization?

To offer community events and workshops that give our Black and brown neighbors a space to serve community and show case their talents.

How can people get involved in your work?

We hold a volunteer open house every first Friday of the month. Learn more at tinyurl.com/CollectiveInterestForm.

Why did you register your nonprofit on Brooklyn Org’s Nonprofit Connection platform?

To spread Collective Focus beyond our neighbors to the larger Brooklyn community.

Brooklyn to you in one word?

Ever Evolving.

Visit Collective Focus Resource Hub on Brooklyn Gives Nonprofit Connection

A person with long curly hair, wearing green glasses and an orange off-the-shoulder dress, holds a studded clutch purse. The background features a soft pink and purple floral pattern.

Georgina Edmonds, Collective Focus Resource Hub Board Member

A diverse group of people standing behind tables filled with various fruits and vegetables in front of a storefront. Some people are smiling and holding produce.

Courtesy of Collective Focus Resource Hub

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Parle Endeavors, Inc.

We spoke with Kevin Benoit, Executive Director of Parle Endeavors, Inc., a nonprofit with the mission to empower, support, and provide opportunities to youth with a passion for and interest in the fields of arts, media, journalism, and entrepreneurship:

What are your future goals for your organization?

Our future goals are supporting New York City youth by providing them with opportunities to create media, and explore youth voice. We do that through our teen poetry slam and our teen internship opportunities.

How can people get involved in your work?

We are looking for new board members for our new board term, which begins in October. We’re always looking for new partners, which can be individuals who are excited about working with young people, venues open to holding our poetry events, or organizations that also support youth voice.

Why did you register your nonprofit on Brooklyn Org’s Nonprofit Connection platform?

Brooklyn has always been our founder’s base. When we launched Parle Endeavors we wanted to help our community first, Brooklyn, from Canarsie to Williamsburg and beyond. Our reach stretches throughout the city, but Brooklyn always comes first! And Brooklyn Org is synonymous with those efforts as well!

Brooklyn to you in one word?

The World’s Mood Board.

Visit Parle Endeavors, Inc. on Brooklyn Gives Nonprofit Connection

Kevin Benoit, Executive Director of Parle Endeavors, Inc.

A group of six people posing for a photo in front of a white wall. Five are standing, and one is kneeling in front. They are smiling and casually dressed.

Kevin Benoit, Executive Director of Parle Endeavors, Inc. (center)

A person stands in front of a bookshelf, speaking or performing to an audience seated in a library or bookstore. A microphone stand is in front of them.

A recent teen poetry slam event by Parle Endeavors. Courtesy of Parle Endeavors, Inc.

A man in a white suit signs a book at a table while three people stand nearby. Two of them watch him, and one person checks a phone.

Courtesy of Parle Endeavors, Inc.

A diverse group of people is gathered in front of a bookshelf. Some hold bags and appear to listen intently, possibly during an event or presentation. The background shows many books and shelves.

A recent teen poetry slam event by Parle Endeavors. Courtesy of Parle Endeavors, Inc.

A man in white speaking at a podium in front of an audience at a bookstore event. Shelves of books line the wall behind him.

A recent teen poetry slam event by Parle Endeavors. Courtesy of Parle Endeavors, Inc.

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Perennial Muse

We spoke with Aundrey Mitchell, Founder/Executive Director of Perennial Muse, a nonprofit arts organization that provides music programs for older adults in Brooklyn and throughout the New York City area:

What are your future goals for your organization?

Increasing our funding resources would enable us to expand our programs to serve more communities.

How can people get involved in your work?

Volunteering with P2P fundraisers, providing studio space for practice, group lessons, and teaching, joining our board, and hosting free events in older adult communities.

Why did you register your nonprofit on Brooklyn Org’s Nonprofit Connection platform?

We decided to register to share our mission of actively engaging older adults and adult learners with the experience of music making in a way that is artistically, socially, and creatively beneficial to the community.

Brooklyn to you in one word?

Community Creativity

Visit Perennial Muse on Brooklyn Gives Nonprofit Connection

Aundrey Mitchell, Founder/Executive Director of Perennial Muse

A woman plays a steel tongue drum with a mallet while sitting at a table in a classroom setting.

Courtesy of Perennial Muse

A person speaks into a microphone in the center of a gymnasium with tables arranged in a U-shape. Attendees are seated around the tables, eating, and listening. Pink balloons and decorations are visible.

Courtesy of Perennial Muse

Three people are in a room with colorful artwork on the walls. One person sits at a table in front of a green screen, another stands nearby, and a third person faces away from the camera.

Courtesy of Perennial Muse

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Seeds To Flowers, Inc

We spoke with Pamela Andrews, Founder/Executive Director of Seeds To Flowers, Inc, a nonprofit based in East New York dedicated to empowering girls and their families:

What are your future goals for your organization?

Seeds To Flowers, Inc is launching our FLOURISH program that not only works with our students, also provides services to their parents. This program will focus on mental health, and we are also expanding to other sections of Brooklyn.