Black Philanthropy Month: Celebrating Black Love in Action

August marks the 11th anniversary of Black Philanthropy Month. This annual celebration focuses on uplifting the Black community and building a more vibrant, sustainable ecosystem. The theme for Black Philanthropy Month 2023 is “Black Love in Action.” This celebrates love as a necessary foundation for lasting social change and community-building. The theme is inspired by the writings of the late scholar and activist, bell hooks. Black Philanthropy Month 2023 spotlights the core meaning of philanthropy as a love of all humanity that includes the power of self-love within the Black community.

 

Black Philanthropy Month was launched in August 2011 by Dr. Jackie Bouvier Copeland and the Pan-African Women’s Philanthropy Network. It is celebrated each August in recognition of those of African American descent and focuses on topics like promoting economic justice and empowering funding equality in the nonprofit sector. It encompasses more than 19 million individuals in 60 countries. The underlying tenets of Black Philanthropy Month reach far beyond financial considerations. Giving during Black Philanthropy Month is a matter of universal human rights that supports racial, social, economic, gender, and environmental justice.

 

A focus on philanthropy is essential for supporting a Black ecosystem that ministers to the needs of the community, inspires change, and creates access to justice. This is an invitation for everyone to invest their time, talents, and resources. Investing in Black-led youth-serving nonprofit organizations can aid in building a solid foundation for the future. It will provide youth with the tools to learn, grow, and lead. 

Supporting Black-led youth-serving nonprofit organizations also provides a good yield on the investment. Did you know for every dollar invested in a youth program or early childhood education yields up to $16? Further, for each additional dollar invested in education, another $2 is gained in future earnings per student. 

This August, you can share love in action by donating and supporting local Black-led nonprofits that are making a difference in the lives of our youth. These organizations rely on the generosity of supporters and strategic partnerships within the community to provide youth-oriented programs, initiatives, and services.

• Bolder Options (youth mentorship)

• Cookie Cart (STEAM, leadership development)

• Irreducible Grace Foundation (healing, arts)

• JK Movement (sports enrichment, creative arts)

• Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute (literacy, leadership development)

• Sweet Potato Comfort Pie (healing, arts)

• 30,000 Feet (educational programming)

• W.E. Win Institute (educational programming, leadership development)

Remember, bell hooks once stated: “Love is a combination of care, commitment, knowledge, responsibility, respect and trust.” When each of us shares the gift of love, we are building a better world— one act of love at a time.  

Through her organization, Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute, Dr. Artika Tyner seeks to plant seeds of social change through education, training, and community outreach.