Black Philanthropy Month (BPM) is annually observed in August and serves as a global celebration and concerted campaign to elevate African-descent or Black giving. Founded by Dr. Jackie Bouvier Copeland and the Pan-African Women’s Philanthropy network in 2011, the campaign was scaled up in 2013 to invite widespread, public participation.
BPM continues to grow and evolve each year, characterized by events, storytelling, and service projects both online and within various communities throughout the month. Since 2011, BPM has reached an estimated 17 million people and become an increasingly year-round movement that illuminates the impact of generosity in Black communities.
Within the Omaha metro, I Be Black Girl (IBBG), a philanthropic giving circle and safe space for Black women and girls, celebrates BPM by encouraging Black community members to give philanthropically and non-Black community members to strategically invest in Black-led organizations and initiatives.
“Investing in Black-led organizations should be a year-round effort, but August really gives us an opportunity to elevate the importance within our community and outside of it,” said Ashlei Spivey, Founder of IBBG.
Last month, Spivey and the IBBG Advisory Committee released a three-part study that takes a strength-based approach to what Black women and girls in Omaha need to access their full potential. Spivey hopes this resource will guide investment to the community. Access part one of the report here.
Our strategic partner, SHARE Omaha, has compiled a list of Black-led organizations within the Omaha metro, see them here.
Photo Credit: Demo Lives