Hello friends,

August is here, and that also means it is Black Philanthropy Month (BPM), a time to honor and elevate African-descent giving and funding equity. This celebration, founded in 2011 by the incredible Dr. Jacqueline Bouvier Copeland, began as a powerful movement to commemorate the United Nations Year and Decade of People of African Descent. Today, BPM is a global initiative, supported by The Women Invested to Save Earth Fund (WISE), culminating in a multinational summit every August.

My work here at ReWork the Bay has solidified my passion for equity-centered philanthropy. Black Philanthropy Month is close to my heart, it is personal. I’ve navigated this country as a Black woman for 42 years. I’ve experienced so many of our broken systems. For example; the injustice system as a formerly incarcerated innocent woman, our child welfare system as a vulnerable former foster youth, and I’ve experienced our post-secondary education system as I navigated both UCB & Georgetown University as a student parent earning my college degrees. My personal experiences, navigating the very systems we aim to change— make the work resonate deeper for me. Having an impact on various levels of systems change as a system-impacted Black woman is empowering! In the words of the great Assata Shakur, “It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains”. I’m proud to be part of an organization that believes in the power of giving and takes meaningful action to create a more just and inclusive world. This year’s Black Philanthropy Month theme, contemporary Afro-futurism invites us to connect our history and present to inspire innovation to create a more equitable and just future for Black giving. I embody this concept every day through my principles and values and in my role at ReWork the Bay.

This theme speaks to the heart of what we do at ReWork the Bay. Our belief is in proximate philanthropy—entrusting those with lived and earned experience to lead the way in deploying philanthropic capital. Our Equity at Work Council (EWC) embodies this philosophy. This 17-member group of proximate leaders shapes our programmatic strategy, approves grants, and holds us accountable to our budget. This month, we will highlight a few leaders of these remarkable organizations as they embody the principles of Black Philanthropy Month and are paving the way for the next generation of Black philanthropists. Their work is a testament to the power of proximate philanthropy and the importance of equity in all aspects of life, especially here in the Bay Area. Leaders like Precious J. Stroud of BlackFemaleProject, Rashida Hanif of RepresentEd, Terah Lawyer-Harper of CROP, Dr. Carole Dorham-Kelly of Rubicon Programs, and Jeìery Wallace of LeadersUp. Their dedication and leadership are helping to build a future where Black giving is celebrated, expanded, and most importantly, normalized.

I invite you to join us in supporting organizations that center Black giving. Mark your calendars for August 28, Giving Black Day, and consider how your contributions can make a lasting impact. Let’s make this Black Philanthropy Month a time of powerful change and celebration. Together, we can empower Black communities and create a more equitable world.

In Solidarity,

Brianna N. Rogers

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