President’s Message

Susan-Taylor-Batten-Presidents-Message

December 2010

“…at the close of 2010, we feel and see momentum…”

Hello ABFE Members and Supporters!

As we prepare for the holidays and some much needed time off, we wanted to share a few thoughts about this year and our enthusiasm about 2011 – our 40th anniversary year! 2010 has in fact been an important year for ABFE; a major highlight for us was the development and kick off of our Responsive Philanthropy in Black Communities trainings and technical assistance workshops now available to the field. In 2010, we have witnessed record unemployment, continuing foreclosures and mid-term elections that literally change the game…but we want you to know that we “feel and see” momentum. Just within this last twelve months, ABFE has identified and/or worked with several philanthropic efforts that aim to support Black communities in an intentional way – key among them are them are:

  • The African American Leadership Forum, an initiative of the North West Area Foundation is working to organize collaborative agendas for the African American community in Seattle, Portland, Minneapolis and Des Moines;
  • The African American Initiative of the Gill Foundation, is working with key civil rights organizations to ensure that the issues facing African American LGBTQ populations are integrated in a broader rights and equality agenda;
  • Uplifting Change, an effort of the Liberty Hill Foundation is working to engage Black leaders and donors in building an agenda to strengthen the Black community in Los Angeles;
  • Investments by Casey Family Programs are working in several states to address the over-representation of Black children in foster care;
  • Plans underway by the POISE Foundation to invest in strategies to strengthen Black families in Pittsburgh;
  • Investments by The Open Society Foundations, The Heinz Endowments, The Mitchell Kapor Foundation, the Twenty-First Century Foundation, The Schott Foundation for Public Education, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, California Endowment, The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation as well as others are working to improve outcomes for Black males in this country.

We are keeping close track of these initiatives as well as their progress and opportunities for synergy. We also wanted to share some news about an important event happening early in the new year. The 2025 Campaign for Black Men and Boys will officially release their policy platform, We Dream a World, on January 12 in DC. You can attend the event in person or virtually; either way, please join us! We believe philanthropy that supports policy advocacy on behalf of Black communities is critical to a stronger America. You can get the paper and register for this event here. We will see you there.

From all of us at ABFE, we wish you peace and health.

Susan Taylor Batten - Signature
Susan

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