ABFE News and Updates - September 2010 Issue. BLACK MEN AND BOYS INITIATIVE: An update on what philanthropy is doing to improve life outcomes for Black men and boys. In this special issue of ABFE News and Updates, we take a look at the field of philanthropy’s investments and work around improving life outcomes for Black men and boys since the first meeting in 2006. For insight and perspective, we spoke with Shawn Dove, Campaign Manager, Campaign for Black Male Achievement, Open Society Institute; Tina Gridiron Smith, Program Officer, Lumina Foundation for Education; George L. Garrow, Jr. , Executive Director of Concerned Black Men - National Organization; and Carmen A. Anderson, Senior Program Officer, Endowments’ Children, Youth & Families Program, The Heinz Endowments. Read the full report here.
“ON MESSAGE,” an ABFE-HIP report on using strategic communications to advance social change in Black and Latino communities.
Executive Summary (PDF) and Full Report (PDF).
“ON MESSAGE” Highlights
ON MESSAGE: Using Strategic Communications to Advance Social Change in Black and Latino Communities
In cities and towns across the country, relationships between Blacks and Latinos have been fraught with fear, suspension, and racism — but also nurtured by camaraderie, shared experiences, and mutual struggles. While the media, talk radio, and political commentators often take the opportunity to highlight and expose the divisions between Blacks and Latinos in the United States, they seldom give ample air time and ink to the mutual interests, projects, and joint efforts led by Blacks and Latinos to improve the quality of life for their children, families, and communities.
ON MESSAGE highlights examples of efforts involving Black and Latino-serving nonprofits that utilize strategic communications to enhance their advocacy work and improve opportunities in communities of color.
Funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, ON MESSAGE is informed by a nationwide scan to identify groups taking the lead to integrate strategic communications in their advocacy, organizing, and social change efforts in Black and Latino communities. Conducted in 2007, the scan included the following:
- An analysis of emerging research in non-profit communications;
- a cataloging of the notable successes of several nonprofits and coalitions across the country;
- an online survey of grantmakers with an interest in high-priority issues in Black and Latino communities; and
- follow-up interviews with non-profit leaders and the grantmakers funding their work.
ON MESSAGE highlights nine groups - the Praxis Project, Campaign for Fiscal Equity, Housing Illinois, Tenants and Workers United, New Orleans Workers’ Center for Racial Justice, Miami Workers Center, Tennessee Immigrant Refugee Rights Coalition, SouthWest Organizing Project and the Center for Media Justice – that are using strategic communications to shape messages and influence policy priorities and community action.