The 8th Annual State of Black Philanthropy, hosted live from The Urban in historic Overtown, honored our community’s rich tradition of Black philanthropy.
We celebrated the legacy of Black giving and generosity that has existed for many years and in various forms within the community. We honored local donors, civic leaders, and organizations through a joyous evening of spoken word, song, and dance. For the first time, we presented The Annual State of Black Philanthropy, a publication showcasing national and local philanthropic trends from a racial equity lens.
We sincerely thank Stearns Weaver Miller and Helios Education Foundation for generously making this program possible and to all the Black-owned and led partners, whom you can read about at the bottom of this page, who helped us bring the evening to life.
If you would like to support the Racial Equity Fund by donating, please click the button below.
Program Experience
This year’s event uplifted Black philanthropy in our community. For some Black families, generosity manifests through service. Others found grounding in faith and involvement in their church. For some, philanthropy focuses on wealth transfer and financial generosity; for others, it is about mobilizing networks to be involved in a specific issue. Philanthropy shows up in various ways, and within the Black community, it has consistently been a collective vehicle to elevate the community and help those most in need. Black philanthropy is a powerful example of how we can make a difference in our community.
In this year’s program, we honored five local Black leaders/families, each representing a different approach to their philanthropic legacy by donating to a nonprofit of their choice. We uplifted the awardees from our Racial Equity Fund, helping draw increased attention to our Black-led organizations’ vital leadership role in our community. The event shined a spotlight and featured Black-led arts organizations, who lifted our audience in song, dance, and spoken word, to ensure a memorable evening.
STATE OF BLACK PHILANTHROPY SPONSORS
Thank you to Stearns Weaver Miller and Helios Education Foundation for generously making this event possible.
STATE OF BLACK PHILANTHROPY PARTNERS & COLLABORATORS
Committing to racial equity means investing in diverse talent. The Miami Foundation is proud to share that every vendor and partner who helped with this year’s event was Black-owned and led. We thank them for their leadership and encourage others to partner with equity in mind
STATE OF BLACK PHILANTHROPY ARTWORK
"Deep Roots, New Growth"
by Cornelius Tulloch
by Cornelius Tulloch
From its Bahamian and African American roots, to its current multiplicity of Black Identities. Miami’s Black community has played a large role in the social, cultural, and economic development of the city. This collage acknowledges these black communities, by depicting historically black spaces around the city while highlighting the new growth of positive development in these neighborhoods. As our city continues to grow, we must keep the stories of these historical spaces alive to honor the people who helped build this city; while we continue to build the future of Miami.
Noted Spaces: D.A. Dorsey House, Historic Ward Rooming House, Historic Baptist Church, Center for Black Innovation, African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, Virginia Key Beach, Cape Florida Lighthouse (Salt Water Railroad), Lakay Mural, Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex, The Arc OLCDC, Bahamian Homes (Coconut Grove), Joe Celestin Center, and Historic Hampton House.
LAST YEAR’S STATE OF BLACK PHILANTHROPY HIGHLIGHTS
In our 2022 program, we excitedly announced the launch of the Racial Equity Video Anthology, a community resource to elevate the work and voices of racial justice leaders and groups in Miami and distill insights learned by The Miami Foundation. Please dive in and enjoy the treasure trove of materials. We hope it sparks a conversation and compels you to share it far and wide.els you to share it far and wide.
The Miami Foundation has been hosting the State of Black Philanthropy for eight years, honoring the impact of Black leadership and generosity, celebrating organizations and individuals working to support Black communities, and addressing systemic racism in Miami. This event convenes community champions, nonprofit leaders, and philanthropists each year, focusing on those most deeply invested in the strength of Miami’s Black community. Each year the Foundation emphasizes its deepened and sustained commitment to the Black community with exciting programmatic announcements. In 2021 and 2022, we hosted the event virtually, reaching thousands of viewers online. Watch the 2022 State of Black Philanthropy, Build Momentum, below.