Understanding Black Philanthropy Month as an opportunity to right historic wrongs

A few weeks ago, my teenage daughter approached me with quiet seriousness and asked: “Mommy, are we safe here?”

Her words struck me like lightning, revealing the heartbreaking reality faced by every parent who has had to teach their child what to do in the event of a school shooting or an encounter with a trigger-happy officer. Her innocent question compelled an honest but painful conversation, one rooted in fear and precaution. One that echoed the urgent need for change. 

We find ourselves at this critical crossroads precisely because we have historically avoided these hard, necessary conversations. America’s persistent commitment to racial hierarchy is not an accident of history; it was intentionally built into the fabric of our economy, our policies and our institutions. Anti-Blackness, sexism, classism and colorism are not mere relics; they continue to thrive, actively nurtured within our politics, businesses and civic structures. 

As we enter Black Philanthropy Month, my heart is heavy with reflection. Our collective journey toward freedom has been neither linear nor solitary. Shackles of oppression have not vanished; they’ve simply evolved — from plantations to prisons, from burning crosses to coded language attacking justice-oriented movements as “woke” or “anti DEI.”

These contemporary manifestations reinforce economic chains, maintaining stark inequalities. Black households today possess a median wealth of only $44,890. According to recent Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis data, although Black wealth grew by 66 percent since 2019, the Black-White median wealth gap has ballooned to $242,000, the largest since records began. 

Yet amid deliberate oppression, the undeniable magic of Black communities shines brightly — our resilience, ingenuity and innovation undiminished. Black-owned businesses generate more than $200 billion annually, sustaining more than 3.5 million jobs. Imagine what we could achieve if equitable access to capital were a reality — an estimated additional $13 trillion in GDP by 2050. We are living in a civil rights moment, fighting for our democracy and safeguarding hope and justice for future generations. 

But we cannot meet this moment with cautious incrementalism, respectability politics or outdated strategies. We don’t need martyrs; we need victories. This moment calls for bold dreams, expansive thinking, swift action and strategic investment. 

Philanthropy must evolve beyond outdated logic models disconnected from the real threats we face, like rising autocracy and systemic injustice.

Organizations serving Black communities received just 0.61 percent of total charitable giving in 2022 — a glaring injustice. Black-led organizations fare no better, receiving only 1.8 percent of philanthropic dollars nationwide. In the American South, home to 56 percent of the Black population and nearly 2 million households with zero or negative net worth, philanthropic investment remains tragically low, at less than 3 percent nationally. 

This challenge extends beyond philanthropy alone. It demands action from every sector committed to justice. We must decouple righteousness from inertia and align our investments intentionally with actionable outcomes. We must anchor ourselves unapologetically in the full dignity of our humanity, refusing to compromise it and instead demanding returns on investments that translate into tangible, transformative progress. 

Supremacy thrives in chaos and scarcity; our response must be rooted in abundance, solidarity and collective leadership. Our power lies in unity, strategic partnerships and mutual support. No single organization can dismantle systemic racism alone. Together, we must forge alliances, protect each other, amplify our collective strength and stand firm against threats to any among us. 

Let us be clear: anti-Blackness is not merely an attitude; it’s a deliberately designed, deeply entrenched system. Our resistance must be equally strategic, mirroring the stealth, determination and unyielding courage of Harriet Tubman. We must safeguard the modern Underground Railroad with vigilance and fierce commitment.

This is our moment to trade abstract ideals for the concrete tools of liberation. We cannot afford further delays or incremental gains. There are actionable opportunities to invest to win: 

Invest in Impact, Not Just Missions 

Fund collaborative, cohort-based initiatives designed to produce measurable, scalable outcomes. Prioritize partnerships that advance shared, results-oriented agendas. 

Build Bold Infrastructure 

Strengthen organizations that serve as ecosystem builders, resource brokers and visionary innovators. Support entities that strategically connect, amplify and mobilize resources for greater community impact.

Rethink Capacity Building 

Critically evaluate traditional notions of “capacity” — often aligned with oppressive frameworks — and commit to equitable, transformative approaches that authentically enhance organizational effectiveness and sustainability. 

Amplify Advocacy and Narrative Power

Increase investments in policy advocacy, strategic narrative campaigns, and ecosystem resilience initiatives. Support efforts that shape public discourse, influence policy outcomes and bolster community strength.

Collaborate for Strategic Impact 

Conduct transparent and honest assessments of organizational strengths. Forge strategic partnerships with complementary organizations to maximize impact and resource efficiency. 

Embrace Agility and Adaptability 

Replace traditional, rigid strategic planning methods with agile, emergent learning tools, adaptive strategies and decision-tree modeling to respond dynamically to community needs and opportunities. 

Let’s commit together to meaningful action, impactful collaboration and sustained investment in Black communities this Black Philanthropy Month and beyond.