Juneteenth is a holiday that marks the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States on June 19, 1865. First celebrated by freed Black folks in Texas, the holiday has since been recognized all over the country; just this week, Congress voted to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. While that designation is a step forward, we want to emphasize that the work to advance racial justice is not over. 

In commemoration of Juneteenth, we want to highlight a few of our clients leading and investing in racial justice and Black liberation all over the country. We invite you to join us in celebrating Black genius and following Black leaders paving the way for our collective transformation.

Black Liberation Pooled Fund (Solidaire Network)

  • The Black Liberation Pooled Fund (BLPF) pools resources to allocate to the powerful ecosystem of Black-led social change organizations around the country. Through multi-year grants, supporting general operating funds, the BLPF will fortify Black resistance organizing, embolden the imagination and creation of liberatory Black futures, and invest in the development of Black movement infrastructure. In its first round of grantmaking from the BLPF, Solidaire Network is awarding $14 million over two years to 102 organizations in the movement for Black freedom. Read more in Inside Philanthropy.

California Black Freedom Fund 

  • California Black Freedom Fund (CBFF) is a five-year, $100 million initiative to ensure that Black power-building and movement-based organizations have the sustained investments and resources they need to eradicate systemic and institutional racism. The first state-based fund of its kind, CBFF prioritizes investments in the courageous and visionary grassroots advocates and community leaders who are transforming our cities, our state — and our world. CBFF recently launched a campaign with Phenomenal and is preparing to announce its second round of grantmaking later this month.  Read more in  ABC News.

Black Girl Freedom Fund (Grantmakers for Girls of Color)

  • Black Girl Freedom Fund, an initiative of Grantmakers for Girls of Color, was launched in September 2020 with a specific focus on raising funds for Black girls can thrive. Their #1Billion4BlackGirls campaign is a 10-year philanthropic initiative designed to invest in the brain trust, innovation, health, safety, education, artistic visions, research, and joy of Black girls and their families. BGFF just announced its first round of grantmaking to six organizations serving the wellness and safety needs of Black girls and gender-expansive youth. Read more in ESSENCE.

We also want to uplift the amazing Black leaders and organizers that we have the opportunity to work with – please follow their work, learn from them and champion them.  We are deeply grateful for their genius, their brilliance, their labor, and their dedication.