06 Feb LESSONS FROM CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA: 2020 STATE OF BLACK PHILANTHROPY TO HELP LOCAL DONORS TACKLE RACIAL EQUITY IN MIAMI-DADE

MIAMI – January 31, 2020 – In the summer of 2017, Charlottesville, Virginia suffered attacks from white supremacists, culminating in two days of violent clashes. The tragic events uncovered long-standing racial divides in the region that had to be addressed for the community to truly heal. One foundation launched an effort that has since become a national benchmark for how philanthropy can help unite a community and build a region where everyone can thrive.

On Wednesday, February 12, The Miami Foundation’s State of Black Philanthropy will host Charlottesville Area Community Foundation’s president and CEO, Brennan Gould.  She will share how the Heal Charlottesville Fund became a model for using philanthropy to move the community through its division, as well as lessons learned that can be applied in Greater Miami

Moderating Gould’s fireside chat is Miami Herald Editorial Board Editor, Nancy Ancrum.  The event will be held from 6-8 p.m. at the Overtown Performing Arts Center, 1074 NW 3^rd Avenue, Miami, FL.

“More than ‘leveling the playing field,’ improving racial equity has a major socioeconomic impact on Greater Miami’s black residents and neighborhoods. It affects crucial issues, like housing affordability and access to a good education. Philanthropy, when harnessed with intent and strategy, as it was in Charlottesville, has the power to increase access, equity and prosperity in all communities,” said Joseph A. Fernandez, interim president and CEO with The Miami Foundation.

During the program, The Miami Foundation will also announce results of the new Black Philanthropy Fund giving campaign. Inspired by previous State of Black Philanthropy conversations and championed by Barron Channer and Carole Hall, the Fund supports Give Miami Day participating nonprofits which are creating long-term impacts and advancing issues vital to historic black neighborhoods. The pilot campaign raised about $20,000, which was gifted to dozens of organizations that participated in Give Miami Day 2019. At the event, donors will hear more about how the fund will work and plans for a full launch in 2020.

Now in its fifth year, The Miami Foundation’s State of Black Philanthropy is an annual forum for the exchange of action-oriented ideas and partnership formation to advance causes specific to people of color.  The event brings together more than 100 local donors, community leaders and residents to explore how charitable giving can solve civic issues and create opportunities for Greater Miami’s black residents and communities.