BLACK PHILANTHROPHY MONTH

The History of Black Philanthropy Month

Black Philanthropy Month (BPM) is a global celebration and campaign to elevate African-descent giving and funding equity.

It was founded in 2011 by Dr. Jacqueline Bouvier Copeland, with deep roots tracing back to 2001 through the support of Reunity (formerly the Pan-African Women’s Philanthropy Network). BPM was originally incubated by The Women Invested to Save Earth Fund (WISE) and launched globally with its first official summit in 2011, commemorating the United Nations' International Year and Decade of People of African Descent.

Since its inception, BPM has grown into the world’s only global Diasporan community coalition and movement dedicated to celebrating and empowering Black giving in all its forms—from philanthropy to business and venture investment. What began as a visionary effort by a group of committed women leaders across the Black Diaspora has evolved into a powerful movement with over 19 million participants across 60 countries.

Since its inception, Black Philanthropy Month has been shaped by more than 30 dynamic leaders across the global Black Diaspora. These individuals have brought vision, creativity, and commitment to building BPM into a worldwide movement. Every BPM leader has made a unique, vital contribution.

Here are some of the longest and most dedicated contributors, grouped by region:

A Legacy of Global Leadership

  • Dr. Mojubaolu Olufunke Okome – Professor, City University of New York / Bring Back Our Girls Movement Leader (2001–present)

    Jean Fountain – Founder, Via Fountain Associates (2001–present)

    Rev. Canon Naomi Tutu – The Episcopal Church (2006–present)

    Kula Addy – Former BPM Operations Manager and Summit Producer (2012–2022)

    Valaida Fullwood – Founder, The Soul of Philanthropy / Co-Founder, New Generation of African American Philanthropists (2013–2021)

    Tracey Webb – Founder, Black Benefactors and Black Gives Back (2013–2021)

    Dr. Una Osili – Associate Dean and Professor, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy (2014–present)

  • Thelma Ekiyor – Founder and Chairperson, Afrigrants Foundation / BPM Africa Chair (Nigeria, 2010–present)

  • Deanna James – President, St. Croix Foundation for Community Development (Caribbean Co-Chair, 2020–present)

    Dr. Nelson Colón – President, Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico (Caribbean Co-Chair, 2020–present)

  • Rebecca Darwant – For Black Communities (2021–present)

  • Selma Moreira – Former Executive Director, Baobá Fund for Racial Equity (2020–2022)

    Camila Aoli – Brazil-based philanthropic strategist and advocate (2021–present)

    Thais Nascimento– Brazil-based philanthropic strategist and advocate

BPM Joins Forces with BackBlack

In 2023, BPM entered a new chapter of growth and sustainability. Founder Dr. Jackie Copeland appointed Floyd Jones, founder of BackBlack, as Global Chair of Black Philanthropy Month. Today, BackBlack serves as the official home and managing organization of BPM.

BackBlack, a movement that has raised over $2 million for Black-led nonprofits, now powers BPM’s operations, campaign execution, and international expansion.

Under Floyd’s leadership, BPM continues to honor its founding mission while evolving to meet the needs of a new generation of changemakers.

This new era centers the power of collective giving, bold storytelling, and strategic collaboration to uplift Black-led organizations and communities year-round.

Annual Themes

Each year, BPM explores a new theme designed to spark conversation and action across the Diaspora:

2025

Sankofa Now! Remember. Reclaim. Rise.

2024

Afro-Futures of Giving

2023

Love in Action

2022

Fierce Equity of Now! From Dream to Action

2021

TENacity: Making Equity Real

2020

FORESIGHT 20/20

2019

Let’s Make History

2018

For the Culture, For the Future

2017

Giving Voice to Fuel Change

2016

Elevating A Culture of Giving

2015

Elevating A Culture of Giving

2014

Generosity At Home and Around the Globe

2013

Of Dreams And Mountaintops

2012

Saving Our Future

2011

A United Nations of Giving: The Pan-African Women's Action Summit

2006

Black Women Give: Towards a Global Movement

Honoring the founder

Dr. Jacqueline Bouvier Copeland is a renowned innovator, cultural anthropologist, and founder of BPM. Her decades of work have touched more than 20 million lives and earned her recognition as a U.S. HistoryMaker. She also serves as CEO of WISE Fund and continues to inspire through projects like The Blachant Project, a healing arts initiative rooted in global Black heritage.

Educated at Georgetown University and the University of Pennsylvania, with additional training in social finance at Oxford, Dr. Copeland bridges disciplines—from diplomacy to impact design to cultural healing. Through her music and coaching under the name “Bouvier,” she continues to embody the spirit of radical healing and legacy building that BPM represents.