EMPOWERING YOUNG BLACK CREATIVES: A philanthropic gathering in NOLA
November 6, 2024
By: Zaria Townsend, Staff Writer
held at The City of Love church in New Orleans.
(Photo by Zaria Townsend)
Young Black creatives are eager to explore the transformative power of philanthropy. Xavier’s chapter of the N.A.A.C.P teamed up with local financial and philanthropic literacy experts on Wednesday, Oct. 2, to foster a spirit of giving back within the Black community.
“In order to make effective change, it requires resources; even small amounts can create the change we are looking for,” said Derick Houston, Jr., a vice president with J.P. Morgan Private Bank. “It gives us the ability to directly impact those who are gifted and those who are receiving.”
philanthropist Dr. Ernest Boyer, thenpresident
of the Carnegie Fund.
Photo courtesy of Xavier University
(Digital Archives and Collections)
Houston underscored the vital role that access to resources play in fostering a culture of service and philanthropy. For many young creatives, contributing their talents and ideas is also a way to uplift their communities. Sometimes an investment does not always require vast sums of money, Houston said. When individuals take action, they also reinforce the idea that every contribution, no matter the size, can lead to significant positive outcomes.
Financial literacy is important to the Black community. But what is often not always highlighted is that even with limited wealth, African Americans contribute the largest share of the earnings and resources to charitable causes. The Kellogg Foundation notes that African American charitable giving averages $11 billion annually, with Black families giving 25-percent more annually than white households for the size of their earnings.
“A Black philanthropist space is not something you see so often,” said Destiny Scott, a political science major at Xavier. “As a community, we are givers as much as we are receivers,” Scott said.
This information, rarely discussed about the Black community, underscores the generosity of African Americans in the philanthropic space, especially given the systemic challenges to wealth creation the Black community faces. Despite being often excluded from mainstream narratives about philanthropy, African Americans consistently demonstrate a commitment to giving back, reflecting a deeply held value of community support and upliftment.
Scott called for creating more platforms and spaces that celebrate and empower Black individuals in philanthropy.
“I love hearing about Black philanthropy. We are not always welcomed in these successful spaces, so it was refreshing to meet like-minded individuals who take pride in their contributions and culture,” she added.
