The Women’s Philanthropy Institute (WPI), part of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, announced the honorees of the Black Women Give Back List, a new initiative to spotlight the important work and contributions of Black women philanthropists.
Created in partnership with The Women Invested to Save the Earth (WISE) Fund, the backbone organization for Black Philanthropy Month, the list spotlights 10 outstanding Black women philanthropists from diverse backgrounds who use their time, talent, treasure, testimony and ties to make the world a better place.
An extension of WPI’s Who Is A Philanthropist? initiative, the Black Women Give Back List challenges perceptions about who is a philanthropist and builds on existing research that demonstrates the unique perspectives that women across race and ethnicity bring to philanthropy.
The 10 women featured in the 2021 Black Women Give Back List include:
- Dr. M. Starita Boyce Ansari, Founder of The New 3Rs, Inc.
- Felicia Davis, President and CEO of Chicago Foundation for Women
- Thelma Ekiyor, Co-Founder and Managing Director of SME.NG; Founder of The Funding Space and Afrigrants Foundation, and Pioneer of The Ebi Fund
- Valaida D. Fullwood, Creator of The Soul of Philanthropy and Author of Giving Back
- Sharlene Kemler, CEO of The Loveland Foundation
- Marsha Morgan, Chair Emeritus of the Community Investment Network
- Toya Randall, Curator and Catalyst of Voice. Vision. Value. Black Women Leading Through Philanthropy
- Betty Smith, Executive Director of EN-RICH-MENT
- Ayo (formerly known as Opal) Tometi, Co-creator of #BlackLivesMatter and Founder of Diaspora Rising
- Akilah S. Wallace, Executive Director, Faith in Texas and Founder & Chair, HERitage Giving Fund
To read more about the contributions and approaches of the 10 philanthropists, you can view The Root profile piece. The honorees were also featured in a video highlighting the initiative.
After an open nomination period, the Black Women Give Back List received over 150 submissions. The selection committee represented different partners and perspectives, including:
- A'Lelia Bundles, Journalist and Speaker, Great-Great Granddaughter of Madam C.J. Walker
- Dr. Jacqueline Bouvier Copeland, Founder of Black Philanthropy Month, The WISE Fund, and Reunity
- Yolanda F. Johnson, Founder of Women of Color in Fundraising and YFJ Consulting
- Jocelyn Harmon, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of #BlackHer
After a successful start to the 10th Anniversary Black Philanthropy Month Summit with 1,100+ registrants across 40 countries, the celebration closed with WISE’s capstone event, Reunity™: The Black Women’s Funders Summit, which showcased the Black Women Give Back List and video. The Black Women Give Back List will be an annual initiative taking place every August during Black Philanthropy Month.
About the Women’s Philanthropy Institute
The Women’s Philanthropy Institute (WPI) is part of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUPUI. WPI increases understanding of women’s philanthropy through rigorous research and education, interpreting and sharing these insights broadly to improve philanthropy. By addressing significant and groundbreaking research questions and translating that research into increased understanding and improvements in practice, WPI helps to leverage new and expanded resources for the common good.
About the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUPUI is dedicated to improving philanthropy to improve the world by training and empowering students and professionals to be innovators and leaders who create positive and lasting change. The school offers a comprehensive approach to philanthropy through its undergraduate, graduate, certificate and professional development programs, its research and international programs and through The Fund Raising School, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, the Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy and the Women’s Philanthropy Institute. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram, and “Like” us on Facebook.
About Black Philanthropy Month
Supported by its backbone organization, The Women Invested to Save Earth Fund, partners, as well as generous sponsors, Black Philanthropy Month is a global philanthropy celebration and cross-sector funding equity action coalition founded by Dr. Jackie Bouvier Copeland in 2011 to celebrate and empower Black giving and funding in all its forms, including donations and investments to strengthen Black communities everywhere. Recognized by the United Nations and 30 other governmental bodies, BPM continues to grow, building on the 18 million people from 60 countries that have celebrated it from inception.