Celebrating Black Philanthropy: Intergenerational Approaches to Social Action

Presented in partnership:
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
Fairfield County's Community Foundation
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
The Prosperity Foundation

Thank you to all who joined us for a virtual event highlighting the work and impact of Black philanthropy in Connecticut through song and online conversation as we celebrate Black Philanthropy Month.

In this inspiring hour, an intergenerational panel of change-makers came together for an inspiring conversation about approaches to positively advance Black futures through creative philanthropy, business investment, social action and racial equity advocacy.

The event kicked off with a moving rendition of "Lift Every Voice and Sing," the Black National Anthem, sung by Andréa Deyo, retired Waterbury Police Officer who served for 18 years.

Watch a recording of the conversation at the link below.

Panelists 

Bernicestine Bailey, Westport, CT
Harold Bailey, Westport, CT 
Vicki Gallon-Clark, MPA, Executive Director, Blue Hills Civic Association
Christopher R. Cloud, Sire Archon for Beta Iota Boule; Chair, Black Giving Circle Fund 
Tai Richardson, Richardson Training and Consulting LLC
Ratasha Smith, Elections Production Coordinator, MoveOn

Moderator

Dr. Leon Bailey Jr.,  MPA, DMIN, SVP for Human Resources and Organizational Culture, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven 

What We Heard 

• "You can't be what you can't see." Exposing young people to experiences through mentorship and setting a positive example seeds the next generation of leaders and Black philanthropists.
• We need to uplift each other and change the narrative.
• Engaging younger generations requires intentional conversations about civic responsibility and giving back.
• People of color on boards of organizations have the responsibility of confronting and addressing unconscious bias and microaggressions or the structures of racism will remain.
• Greater understanding of the systemic challenges faced by Black youth is needed in philanthropy.
• Those who have had doors opened for them have an obligation to open doors for others. Greater collaboration and the breaking down of silos is needed to increase the impact of Black Philanthropy.

Resources for You

• Black Philanthropy Month 2024
• The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven's Vineyard Project in New Haven
• Fairfield County's Community Foundation 
• The Prosperity Foundation
• Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Black Giving Circle Fund

Observed every August, Black Philanthropy Month (BPM) is a global celebration and concerted campaign to elevate African-descent giving and funding equity. BPM was incubated and started in 2001 by its Founder, Dr. Jackie Bouvier Copeland, with the support of Reunity (formerly the Pan-African Women's Philanthropy Network) and officially launched in 2011. A new organizing concept frames the BPM campaign each year. The theme for 2024 is “Afro-Futures of Giving."

Presented in partnership:

Learn more about Black Philanthropy Month at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.

For questions, contact Carmen Burgos.