Black Philanthropy Month (BPM) is a multimedia campaign created in August 2011 that celebrates African-descent giving. Founded by Dr. Jackie Bouvier Copeland and the Pan-African Women’s Philanthropy Network (PAWNet), BPM is an annual, global celebration that invites African and Black communities and allies to use August as a month to give back. The theme for 2019 is: Let’s Make History.
BPM’s purposes are to lead civic engagement, amplify stories, cultivate next generation givers, and to expand the ways of giving through month long of events. BPM promotes the power of giving to transform lives and aims to inform, involve, inspire and invest in Black philanthropic leadership in order to strengthen giving in all forms in black communities. Public participation began in 2013 and has grown throughout the years. Participants can now get involved in BPM through various avenues, unique to their philanthropic styles – online and offline, locally and globally. Involvement can occur by attending a philanthropy or community related event, writing an op-ed piece inspired by the theme of the campaign, sharing news and stories using the #BPM2019 hashtag on social media, joining or starting a giving circle, becoming a mentor, hosting local civic engagement forums, engaging in community service projects and donating to a cause of their interest.
BPM was recognized by the United Nations as part of its Declaration of 2011 as the International Year for People of African Descent. Each year, a new organizing concept frames the BPM campaign.
For more information about Black Philanthropy Month, visit blackphilanthropymonth.com. To support Ujima, Inc. and our mission, click here.
Star Jackson
Ujima Communications Intern