Community Foundation Hosts Black Philanthropy Month Celebration

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation hosted its sixth annual Black Philanthropy Month celebration, “Closing the Gap in Support of Black Organizations,” at Slover Library.

The Aug. 3 event featured panelists Susan Taylor Batten, president and CEO, ABFE: A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities, and Blair Durham, co-founder and president, Black BRAND, Hampton Roads’ Regional Black Chamber of Commerce.

Lawrence A. Gholson II, a business and community strategist and a member of the Visionaries for Change giving circle at the community foundation, moderated the discussion about the importance of supporting Black organizations in the region.

“The conversation about Black philanthropy is important because it is such a part of our history and legacy as people of African descent, and often we don’t know the stories,” Taylor Batten told about 300 people gathered for the event. “We don’t pass down the stories to our children and to our community, so what Black Philanthropy Month does is help us keep those stories alive.”

Black Philanthropy Month began in 2011 to elevate Black giving and funding equity.

“Black Philanthropy Month, held annually in August, helps shed light on the rich traditions of giving by Black people throughout the centuries,” said Vivian Oden, the Foundation’s vice president for equity and inclusion.

“Too often, though, Black philanthropy has been overlooked,” Oden said.

“Providing funds directly to Black organizations helps address the racial disparities that have impacted Black communities for generations,” Oden continued. “This shows our continued commitment to racial equity.”

Learn more about Black Philanthropy Month. Discover what you can do to advance philanthropy.