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August 2024: Black Philanthropy Month
August 01, 2024
WHEREAS, Dr. Jacqueline Bouvier Copeland of Pan-African Women's Philanthropy Network and The WISE Fund established the month of August as Black Philanthropy Month in 2011 with recognition by the United Nations as part of its 2011 Declaration of the International Year for People of African Descent and its 2015-2024 Declaration of the International Decade for People of African Descent; and,
WHEREAS, Ciarra C. Adkins, JD, Founder and President of AQUME Foundation, West Michigan’s first Black-founded and Black-led foundation with a mission to center racial equity and economic justice in philanthropy, recognized the importance of highlighting the presence and contributions of our Black philanthropic community; and,
WHEREAS, Black Philanthropy Month is an annual, global celebration of African descent giving in all its forms; and,
WHEREAS, the month-long observance invites all people of African ancestry and allied brothers and sisters to take August and beyond to promote the power of giving to transform lives; and,
WHEREAS, communities of African descent have vested reasons to celebrate and renew their rich, shared traditions of giving, self-help, and innovation throughout the U.S. and the world; and,
WHEREAS, an extraordinary legacy of philanthropy and ongoing achievement in philanthropy merit a concerted effort to lift up important stories, spotlight good work, educate the generations, and inspire giving; and,
WHEREAS, shared understanding and generosity are instrumental to improving social, educational, economic, and health outcomes in our communities of African descent; and,
WHEREAS, philanthropy at its etymological root means love of humanity, and we honor our communities of African descent’s history of communal love and generosity;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim August 2024 as Black Philanthropy Month in Michigan.