Learn more about Black Philanthropy Month and how you can be of service all year long. Natasha A. Harrison shares more about African American Donors. African-Americans are committed to a life of service based upon their level of philanthropic giving. This conversation speaks to the truth of prosperous community leaders who understand community and the art of giving back. Help spread the word about collective giving.
The following transcription is from the August 2016 interview on WAOK Radio show, Real Talk with Rashad Richey:
RR: I have in the studio Natasha A. Harrison, Co-Founder, Co-Chair of the 12th Annual Community Investment Network and Founder of For Her: A Black Women Giving Movement for Black Girls.
NH: Thank you so much for having me.
RR: So let’s get right into it. This is a special month. Tell us about this month.
NH: This month is Black Philanthropy Month, in which we celebrate black people’s culture of giving in the month of August each month and it was founded by 3 black women who represent the Pan-Africa Women’s Philanthropy Network. While I’m not a representative of that organization, I am a philanthropist.
RR: You know it’s amazing that we have this month. I did not know about it until I received the email. But we really do have this culture. Even in our traditions, our fraternal traditions, it is steeped in giving, in charitable services. And so, to have a month that honors that in the black community is very fitting. What made you get involved?
NH: Well, I grew up in Atlanta. I grew up extremely poor.
RR: You look like you’re doing pretty good now!
NH: Yes, I am.
RR: You’re looking real prosperous!
NH: Thank you! Thank you! It’s really from blessings from my own community that I am where I am now. And, part of it also is the realization that through my own research that black donors give 25% more than white people.
RR: Wow!
NH: And, we give to the tune of 11 billion each year – 2/3 of black households give 11 billion!
RR: And so we’re actually giving away more of our capital?
NH: Yes, more than we actually have!
RR: Wow, that’s amazing!
NH: Greater than what we bring home, and greater than our wealth. And we’re doing that. And we’re doing it for causes and for organizations that we care about, that are investing in our communities. So, this is beyond the black church.
RR: And that shows you the remarkable heart that we have and we know it. We know it!
NH: Yes!
RR: And, I’m from what people would call “the hood.” But I tell you, when I was young and I had issues, I could always depend on somebody to say, “Boy, come on in here!” or “You can go ahead.” and “Let me give you this meal because I don’t think you ate today”. You know, I remember that. And even though they didn’t have much either, that heart was still huge.
NH: Right! And again, we have that culture; we have that history of giving. Even in the work that I’m involved with, Community Investment Network, which is a network of 26 people-of-color giving circles across the country, and 13 emerging circles. And, we’re having a conference in Atlanta September 30th to October 2nd to really help people get activated to learn about how to create collective giving in their own community to invest and issues that they care about. But then also to learn more about the issues and how they can actually be activated, and actually give their money properly
RR: I’m loving it! So, tell us about the organization, For Her.
NH: Yes, For Her. I actually launched it on June 23rd. About 15 years ago, I worked at a residential home for girls. And as some of your viewers know, the issues of sex trafficking and exploitation in Atlanta is very pervasive and it’s affecting everyone, even in suburbia and rural areas, not just in urban settings. And so, I lunched For Her as an advocate organization to support black girls that are experiencing sexual exploitation and trafficking, and really want to show that black women care about you, that we love you and that we care about you. And, it’s a way, collectively, for black women to give their money, their time, talent, treasure and testimony, to support this effort.
RR: If individuals would like to get involved, how can they do so? Also, how can they make contributions?
NH: First, if they’re thinking about getting into collective giving, I encourage them to check out Community Investment Network at www.thecommunityinvestmentnetwork.org and register for the conference that’s coming up for September 30 – October 2, 2016, here in Atlanta. The second way to get involved with For Her, you can reach me, you can go on our website at www.supportforher.org or send me an email at [email protected]
RR: Alright sister, thank you for all you do. We’re going to stay on top of this. We’ve got a whole month – there’s an entire month of this! I wish I would have known about it earlier, but you know, we know about it now.
Contact Natasha A. Harrison today and learn how to give back to your community and strengthen your community investment.
