August is Black Philanthropy Month, an international
month-long holiday first launched in Minneapolis in 2011 and now,
as the organization itself puts it, “a global celebration and concerted campaign to elevate African-descent giving and funding equity.” The holiday serves as a great reminder to celebrate, donate, volunteer, and engage with those organizations working hard to lift up our communities. And, as you’ll find out in the list below, there are no shortage of notable events and programs coming up throughout August – and well beyond – that intend to do just that.
The following is a peek at what some of our hard-working neighbors have in store for the Memphis community in the following weeks and months ahead.
Hattiloo Theatre
A Raisin in the Sun
Aug. 25 - Sept. 24 at the Hattiloo Theatre
Catch a performance of one of the most important works of the twentieth century at the Hattiloo Theatre, which touts itself as the only freestanding Black repertory theater in five surrounding states. Future events from the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization include a Best In Show community dog show on Sunday, Sept. 10, and a month-long run of the award-winning play Father Comes Home From the Wars beginning on Sept. 29.
Click
HERE to learn more.
MICAH
Public Meeting: A Candidate Forum
Sunday, Aug. 27 at New Sardis Baptist Church
MICAH, or the Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action & Hope, is a coalition of community and faith-based organizations that works toward equity, focusing on economics, education, and the justice system. This year, their sixth annual Public Meeting will focus on local elections, with more than two dozen mayoral and city council candidates confirmed as guests, as well as appearances from elected officials like US Congressman Steve Cohen and Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn more about and directly from those looking to serve the community. Registration is required.
Click
HERE to learn more.
Love Doesn’t Hurt
Memphis Public Libraries Pride Kickoff
Saturday, Sept. 2 at Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
This Memphis-based nonprofit serves to assist and advocate for victims of domestic and sexual violence in the LGBTQ+ community throughout Shelby County. You can find them and other nonprofits at this year’s Pride Kickoff event from the Memphis Public Libraries, a family-friendly event that includes Rainbow Family Story Time, crafts, book giveaways, and more.
Click
HERE to learn more.
National Civil Rights Museum
The Restoration: Community Healing for Police Violence
Wednesday, Sept. 6 at the NCRM and online
The third in a four-part event series titled “The Reckoning, The Resolve, The Restoration, and The Resilience” hosted by the National Civil Rights Museum, “The Restoration” will feature a panel discussion on the need for collective healing among victims – and the community at large – of police brutality and law enforcement. The event will be streamed online, and the in-person discussion will feature a reception to follow.
Click
HERE to learn more.
Alpha Omega Veterans Services, Inc.
The 18th Annual AOVS Golf Classic
Monday, Sept. 11 at the Windyke Country Club
The Memphis-based nonprofit has been helping military veterans reintegrate into society since its founding in 1987. Alpha Omega Veteran Services has served nearly 10,000 veterans since then and, with the move to a new and larger facility, stands to serve a whole lot more. The Annual AOVS Golf Classic acts as one of the nonprofit’s biggest fundraising events, and is currently accepting foursome and individual event registration as well as sponsors.
Click
HERE to learn more.
[
Related: Read “Seven Black-led nonprofits you should know about in the 901” on High Ground News.]
Collage Dance Collective
Memphis Dance Festival
Saturday, Sept. 16 at the Collage Dance Center
One of the largest Black-led performing arts organizations in the South, the Collage Dance Collective began in New York City in 2006 before moving to Memphis in 2009, where they’ve firmly planted their roots and established themselves as world-class advocates for expanding access to dance opportunities for BIPOC dancers. The Memphis Dance Festival, free to attend, will feature a wealth of musical and dance performances, local business pop-ups, and Memphis food vendors.
Click
HERE to learn more.
Communities in Schools of Memphis
The dropout prevention organization works directly with at-risk students at participating schools in Memphis and the surrounding communities, building one-on-one relationships with and providing resources to those young people on the edge of dropping out of school. The organization has set a goal of growing to 30 school campuses by 2025 and donations will help them get there.
Click
HERE to learn more.
Indomitable Women of Incarcerated Men
The Memphis-based nonprofit provides health and wellness support and resources for those families affected by incarceration. Group therapy sessions for adults and mentorship opportunities for young people are just some of the ways that they support the community. The nonprofit is currently asking for donations to support those free group therapy sessions as well as the construction of a second facility.
Click
HERE to learn more.
CodeCrew
The Memphis-based nonprofit has made it their mission to provide valuable computer and coding skills to those young people otherwise underrepresented in technology careers; the organization serves 500 kids each week, 91 percent of whom are either Black or Latinx young people. The organization is currently enrolled in a program with the Kroger supermarket chain where customers can link their Shopper’s Cards with CodeCrew and earn donations for the nonprofit with each purchase.
Click
HERE to learn more.
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