Black Power 50: A Funders Conversation

June 16th marks the 50th anniversary of the term “Black Power” prominently introduced by activist Stokely Carmichael addressing an organized audience in Greenwood, Mississippi after the shooting of civil rights leader James Meredith, who was wounded in a march to register Black people to vote following the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Black Power became more than a term. Black Power formalized an important intellectual, social and artistic framework that inspired a new generation and movement to address eroding civil rights protection. The framework inspired the later work of Dr. Martin Luther King, introduced the Black Arts Movement, promoted Black Studies programs across colleges and universities and encouraged dynamic grassroots activism national and throughout the globe.

This timely conversation will examine how philanthropy addresses the historic and contemporary relationship towards advancing grassroots leadership and organizations that work towards advancing justice, equity and fulfillment for Black communities that introduce new ideas and strategies for social progress. Ideals associated with Black Power have re-emerged for a new generation within popular culture and discourse, as evident with the recent photograph of the all-female West Point graduates, films and the entertainer Beyonce. Similar towards today’s #BlackLivesMatter movement, philanthropy can constructively respond to new cultural and social narratives that relate towards effective grant making. This session will bring together leading thinkers to address the role foundations can play in advancing racial justice and equity.