Welcome to BlackGivesBack.com (BGB), the premier online destination for African American philanthropy. I created BGB in 2007 as an extension of my own charitable efforts in Washington, DC as the founder of the Black Benefactors, a giving circle that provides grants to nonprofit organizations serving African American children, youth and families in the DC region. I have nearly 20 years experience in philanthropy and the nonprofit sectors, serving in various roles.
BlackGivesBack features social entrepreneurs and everyday heroes, celebrity philanthropy, nonprofit organizations, news of interest to the black community, coverage of charity and community events, and more.
Although African Americans are viewed as passive recipients in philanthropy, my blog proves that we are active givers and major philanthropists, donating millions of dollars to issues impacting our community.
Since its inception, BGB has grown tremendously, with thousands of readers each month. I’ve been featured and have written for major media outlets, including the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Huffington Post's Black Voices, the NY Times, BlackEnterprise.com; Reuters, TheGrio.com, The Root, and the book Black Is The New Green: Marketing to Affluent African Americans.
I was also featured in the August 2011 'Black Wealth' issue of Ebony magazine in the article, "Where Wealthy Blacks Give...." along with my charity, The Black Benefactors.
You can view the press and media page HERE.
With my blog, I hope to inspire you….to volunteer, to donate, to join a board, to support programs in your community, to mentor … and to spread the word about black giving.
So be sure to visit often, subscribe, join the team on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, and tell a friend!
To suggest a feature, provide feedback or to say hello, please feel free to contact me at tracey [at] blackgivesback[dot]com.
Yours in Giving,
Tracey Webb
Meet the BlackGivesBack Contributors!
NEW YORK
Akira J. Barclay
Akira J. Barclay is a grantmaker with a passion for social justice and more than a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector. Currently, she leads the $1 million "IMAGINE: Your STEM Future" project with AT&T at Girl Scouts of the USA, the most successful organization dedicated to creating girl leaders in the world. She began her career as a social worker before entering the field of philanthropy in 2001. Prior to joining Girl Scouts of the USA, Akira managed a capacity building grants program and provided technical assistance and training to a network of youth organizations in New York City. She is Program Chair of the New York Chapter of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy and a member of the New York Women’s Foundation Grants Advisory Committee and Circle of Sisters for Social Change. Akira is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master’s Candidate in Grantmaking at New York University where she is Marketing Editor of the online journal PhilanthropyNYU.
Contact Akira at akira[at]blackgivesback.com.
For the latest on NY charitable events and info, follow Akira on Twitter at www.twitter.com/blkgivesbackNY
DALLAS/FORT WORTH
Froswa’ Booker-Drew
Froswa' Booker-Drew is the owner of Soulstice Consultancy, a nonprofit management training and capacity building firm. Froswa has more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit management, education, and social services. She has served in leadership roles at three national nonprofits and has provided training and services to a number of entities around the country including Prime Time Sister Circles, Thelma Wells Ministries, Texas Association of Nonprofit Association, Texas Council on Family Violence, Children and Family Institute, Mothers and More, Dallas Womens Foundation and One Star Foundation.
In addition, Froswa' has served as a Grant Reviewer for both federal agencies and foundations including the Department of Education, National Corporation on Community Service, Case Foundation, Lindberg Foundation and others. Froswa is a graduate of Oklahoma City University and the University of Texas at Arlington. Booker-Drew is a doctoral student in the Leadership and Change program at Antioch University in Yellow Springs, Ohio. For more information, please visit www.soulsticeconsultancy.com or for a webinar schedule, see www.soulsticeworkshopsonline.com.
SAN FRANCISCO/OAKLAND
Tokiwa T. Smith
Tokiwa T. Smith is a social entrepreneur and emerging leader in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, nonprofit development and management and philanthropy. She is the Executive Director and Founder of Science, Engineering and Mathematics Link Inc (SEM Link), www.semsuccess.org , a national non-profit organization that promotes student achievement and career exploration in math and science for K-12 students. SEM Link’s two core programs, Experimental Design Program and Math and Science Career Academy, provide students with an opportunity to develop their math and science skills by enhancing the classroom learning experience and teaching them skills that are transferable to other areas of life.
Ms. Smith is also the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Owner of Kemet Educational Services, a math and science educational consulting firm. This firm provides support to schools and nonprofit organizations that need curriculum support, program support or outreach support to underrepresented populations in STEM. Kemet Educational Services offers its clients curriculum development, standardized test preparation, math and science theme special event planning, program evaluation and educator professional development services.
A native of Miami, FL and an alumnus of Florida A & M University, with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Ms. Smith has over 9 years experience working in academia and non-profit organizations developing and managing educational programs and developing math and science curriculum for precollege and college students. She also has experience in nonprofit development and management.
CHARLOTTE, NC
Valaida Fullwood
Described an “idea whisperer,” Valaida brings a mix of unbridled imagination and a gift for harnessing wild ideas to her work as a writer, creative consultant and project strategist. Her client base ranges widely and centers on social innovation in arts & culture, education and philanthropy. A born-and-bred North Carolinian, Valaida has hometown roots in Morganton and is an alumna of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she majored in International Studies with a focus in Economics. For nearly a decade, she managed international economic development projects for major corporations, living and working overseas prior to establishing a Charlotte-based consulting practice.
Valaida’s longtime interest is bridging relationships and understanding across culture, race and nationality, which have inspired her to travel to more than 20 countries, four continents and counting. Closer to home, she organizes communication, events and projects for nonprofits and corporations. She also enjoys philanthropic involvement with Charlotte ViewPoint, Community Investment Network, On Q Productions and Wesley Heights Community Association and serves on the organizing committees of innovative forums, Pecha Kucha and TEDxCharlotte.
She is a founding member of Charlotte’s New Generation of African American Philanthropists — a giving circle that gives back. In collaboration with her giving circle and photographer Charles W. Thomas, Jr., Valaida recently completed work on a photographic coffee table book, profiling of stories of giving among African Americans. The book, Giving Back, is set for release in fall 2011. Follow her on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/ValaidaF and www.twitter.com/BlkGivesBackCLT.
CHICAGO, IL
Sandra C. Davis
Sandra C. Davis is an award-winning marketing communications professional and passionate arts/community advocate. Ms. Davis has successfully pitched national media outlets and created integrated marketing communications plans for the South Shore Drill Team, African Festival of the Arts, Dream for Kids, and the Metropolitan Board of the Chicago Urban League. Sandra is also a graduate of the Arts & Business Council of Chicago On Board nonprofit board governance training program, and now serves as a New Arts Forum Member (Junior Board Member) for Urban Gateways. Currently, Ms. Davis serves as Rally team member (Project Manager) for Engaging Philanthropy Inspiring Creatives (EPIC). Sandra is also the Organizer (Chief Design Enthusiast) for the Chicago Design Meetup.
