The Legacy of Rodney M. Jackson, A Pioneer in Black Philanthropy

I can’t count the number of times I've recalled a great quote, but couldn’t remember the author. The words remain. Similarly, I can appreciate a beautiful building, without knowing the architect and that structure may last for generations. That type of unsung appreciation applies to Rodney M. Jackson. Mr. Jackson passed away on July 12, in Virginia, at 83 years old. You may know him for being the architect of the National Center for Black Philanthropy (NCBP), which he founded in the early ‘90’s.  

The purpose of The National Center for Black Philanthropy was to “encourage giving and volunteerism among African Americans, and educate the public on African American philanthropy”. Mr. Jackson assembled Black leaders “at the crossroads”, which was the theme for the first NCBP convening in Philadelphia in 1997. The leaders gathered to discuss strengthening Black philanthropy through grantmaking, individual giving, fundraising, and in the Black church. He would go on to host funders, fundraisers, and others on a biennial schedule until the lack of sufficient funding ended the convenings in the early 2000’s.  

Rodney’s obituary gives you a glimpse of his rich origin story; his love for his family--and Star Trek. NCBP shared offices with the Council on Foundations, where I was working from 2001-2013. “PeePaw, it’s time to go home,” was a sweet message from a clock in Rodney’s workspace, which held a recording of one of his grandchildren. I fondly recall hearing that gentle reminder that Rodney--and I--had been working too long. It was, often, a chance for us to catch up and talk about this thing called philanthropy, when most of our colleagues had left for the day.  

In addition to managing NCBP, Rodney worked passionately to create a roadmap for philanthropy. The 2009 book, titled A Philanthropic Covenant with Black America, was edited by Rodney M. Jackson. It was a sequel tothe 2006 book, The Covenant with Black America. The chapters within A Philanthropic Covenant are written by various nonprofit leaders. They cover fundraising, disaster response, youth engagement and faith. When I spoke with Rodney, last Fall, he reflected that he thought it could be time for a sequel – I agreed. 

The first convening of the National Center for Black Philanthropy summarized and the proceedings were preserved in a book that was dedicated to Rev. Richard Allen and the Rev. Absalom Jones, and, “…all of our Black brothers and sisters of the Free African Society, who, during the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, risked their lives and meager earnings in the truest spirit of African American Philanthropy. Though their deeds are little known, their legacy lives on forever.” 

For centuries, Black people have given to our communities, even in bitterly cruel times. Through enslavement, to yellow fever, to Covid-19. Through political activism and beyond, it is in our spirit to give during Black Philanthropy Month and the other 11 months of the year. Rodney Jackson and countless others have encouraged, mobilized, and taught us how to be effective in our giving, supporting and, yes our own self-sufficiency, because we have all that we need. Rodney helped to codify the power of Black philanthropy, through individual donors, giving circles, churches and institutional philanthropy. NCBP’s convenings celebrated giving, and Tito Jackson’s blues band had us dancing in Minneapolis. We celebrated the work of Dr. Dorothy Height and Shaquille O’Neil’s mom, a dedicated nurse and mother, at NCBP’s northern Virginia meeting. Yes, Shaq was there and presented the award to his mother. I was honored to present the award to Dr. Height. 

As we conclude another Black Philanthropy Month, I challenge us to remember our assignments. Rodney elevated our diverse collective strengths and compassion, demonstrated through our embedded spirit of giving. We know how to make a way out of no way – because it is our DNA. Rest well, Rodney Jackson, you left a beautiful covenant that offers us the opportunity for us to leverage our skills and fulfill. It is up to us to honor our assignments as we have been tasked.