Black Philanthropy Month is August's #SpotlightOnCLT
Charlotte Celebrates Black Philanthropy Month
What is Black Philanthropy Month?
Black Philanthropy Month (BPM), held every August, was created in 2011 by Dr. Jackie Bouvier Copeland and the Pan-African Women's Philanthropy Network as an annual global celebration of African-descent giving. BPM culminates with a giving day on August 28 to promote financial support for Black-led and Black-benefiting grassroots organizations.
We’re celebrating Black Philanthropy Month for our August #SpotlightOnCLT!
#SpotlightOnCLT is SHARE Charlotte’s monthly content series that highlights a different cause or issue each month and allows us to explore the crucial work being done in that particular cause by our local nonprofit partners. This month, we’re celebrating #BPM2023CLT!
What does Black Philanthropy Month mean in Charlotte?
#BPM2023CLT is a collaborative initiative led by NGAAP Charlotte to observe BPM, celebrate Black giving, and advocate racial funding equity in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Throughout August, #BPM2023CLT will encourage and promote community-wide participation by:
- Illuminating fresh stories on Charlotte’s Black-led, Black-benefitting nonprofits, profiling who they are and why they matter
- Engaging community members and nonprofit leaders with a variety of events to heighten awareness and make connections
- Rallying the Charlotte community to give to Black-led and Black-benefitting nonprofits.
- Culminating the month-long campaign with a concerted giving day on August 28 called “CLT Gives Black”.
What does it mean to be a Black-led or Black-benefitting organization?
- Black-led: 50 percent or more of staff leadership and/or board members identify as Black or African American
- Black-benefitting: 50 percent or more of population served identifies as Black or African AmericanMeet a few Charlotte nonprofits we are celebrating for Black Philanthropy Month!
An organization that provides educational and emotional support, mentoring and educational growth for children and young adults in the Historic Hoskins Community area.
“The Historic Hoskins Community has been an area of Charlotte, NC that has been forgotten. There haven't been many updates since I was 5 years old and new to the Hoskins area. I grew up in Historic Hoskins and watched it become run down with minimal updates. There is a food desert and there haven't been any grocery stores in the area since I grew up there 50 years ago. Historic Hoskins is rich with history, amazing testimonies and beautiful neighbors.” - Beverly Knox (Davis), Executive Director
The students in certain corridors of Charlotte have historically been underserved in their access and exposure to advanced technology and opportunities to explore alternatives to traditional career options. These areas have some of the highest poverty rates in Charlotte, the highest dropout rates, but are also growing rapidly through gentrification. The schools in these areas also are the least likely to use creative teaching methods that enhance critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Do Greater Charlotte exists to ignite and build creative confidence in youth through training in design thinking, entrepreneurship and digital technologies enabling them to become innovative problem-solvers and leaders in their communities.
Sisters in Education Circle (The Lesesne Collective dba as SEIC)
Less than 7% of school teachers in the United States are Black. Yet, research shows that representation among Black teachers has a positive impact on every aspect of Black student achievement. According to this research, if a Black student has two Black teachers by the third grade, they are 32% more likely to enroll in college, and they are three times more likely to be recommended for gifted education by a Black teacher. The lack of Black teachers is detrimental to educational justice for Black children, and the imbalance is a threat to education equity overall.
SEIC’s mission is for Black children to have a wide range of Black teachers committed to Black education for social justice and liberation and versed in Black pedagogical genius.
At Applesauce Group, their mission is to address the challenges experienced by historically underserved communities through the creation of joyful and culturally authentic experiences that naturally bring people together.
“We harness the power of joy to forge direct connections between our audience and our on-site village of carefully vetted partner organizations, offering a diverse range of life-enhancing resources. The name "Applesauce Group" is inspired by the age-old parental trick of using applesauce to mask the taste of medicine. Similarly, we believe in employing enjoyable catalysts to deliver essential services and support, adhering to the founding principle that compassion and delight can transform lives.”
Find these and 140+ other Black-led or Black-benefitting nonprofits in Charlotte!
Black Philanthropy Month Guide to Nonprofits
Join us in Charlotte for BPM 2023 Events:
- August 10th, MICHELLE MURI, Co-Founder, Community-Centric Fundraising, 5:30pm at Wray Ward, 2317 Thrift Road
- August 16th, Celebrating Us: Unlocking the Power of Black Philanthropy, 4:00pm at Union Chapel, Martha’s Vineyard - livestream link
- August 22nd, UNA OSILI, IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Giving USA 2023 Report + Donors of Color National Report, 5:30pm at Mint Museum, 500 S Tryon. Get Tickets
- August 28, CLT GIVES BLACK, in conjunction with the national Give 828 initiative, All day online giving