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Blacks giving back: increasing number donate large sums to institutions and causes

Ebony, Dec, 2003 by Kimberly Davis

CONTRARY to general perception, an increasing number of African-Americans are stepping forward and giving back to their communities. From individual contributions to foundations, charities and movements started by Blacks, Brothers and Sisters--celebrities and non-celebrities--are digging deep into their pockets and contributing substantial funds to make things better not only in the African-American community, but also in African nations. As usual, those efforts seem to be peaking during the holiday season.

"From where we sit, I would say that giving is up," says Donald M. Stewart, president and CEO of the Chicago Community Trust.

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"I think that's the function of increased African-American prosperity. You can't give money away if you don't have it."

Stewart and other philanthropy experts say that as Blacks have succeeded, their contributions to specific causes, concerns and organizations have increased. That's not to say that African-American philanthropy is where it needs to be. There's always room for improvement.

"The problem is that Blacks don't have the capital base from which to give. By that, I mean that we don't have as many wealthy, wealthy Blacks who can give multimillion-dollar gifts," says William H. Gray HI, president and CEO of UNCF. "Black philanthropy has increased, but it still has not reached the levels that I think it can reach."

There are a number of heavy hitters--African-Americans who are setting the bar high for others to follow their generous example. The biggest contemporary philanthropist and perhaps biggest African-American philanthropist of all time is talk show host Oprah Winfrey, who has given roughly $32 million toward African and African-American causes. One of her most recent gifts, $5 million to Morehouse College, continued a legacy of giving (a total of $7 million) to that institution. And she recently pledged $10 million to build the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls South Africa.

William (Bill) and Camille Cosby made a $20 million donation to Spelman College that went toward the construction of the Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby Academic Center, which was dedicated in 1996. EBONY publisher John H. Johnson has given more than $6 million, including a $4 million gift this year to Howard University (see page 56). And the Ebony Fashion Fair has enabled sponsors to raise $49 million for UNCF and other causes since its founding in 1958.

Other individual donors include legendary singer Ray Charles, who has given an estimated $5 million to at least three historically Black colleges and universities--Morehouse, Albany State and Wilberforce.

HBCU alumni are also known for their generosity. Businessman Frank Savage, a graduate and current chairman of the Board of Trustees of Howard University, gave his school $5 million. And famed Florida attorney Willie Gary, who is also co-founder of the MBC network, has donated an estimated $15 million to various causes. That total includes $10 million he and his wife Gloria gave to Shaw University, their alma mater, in 1991.

Other celebrities and philanthropists are also known through the work of their foundations. The Tom Joyner Foundation*, which raises funds, has donated more than $18 million to HBCUs. The foundation recently gave $1 million to cash-strapped Morris Brown College in Atlanta, which lost its accreditation and is $27 million in debt.

A major philanthropic family--the Browns of Baltimore--has given generously. Through the Eddie C. and C. Sylvia Brown Family Foundation, Eddie Brown, the president of Brown Capital Management, and his family, have given more than $15 million to various educational and cultural causes.

This is not, by any means, a complete list of major contributors. Others, not shown here, have given large sums. Billionaire Robert L. Johnson contributed $3 million to the Underground Railroad Museum Project and gave $1 million to the YMCA in Charlotte, N.C. BET, the company he co-founded with then-wife Sheila Crump Johnson (also a major philanthropist), televises the annual BET Walk of Fame, which has raised more than $3 million for UNCF.

Athletes and entertainers also support various causes. Basketball star Dikembe Mutombo, who recently signed with the New York Knicks, has personally given $3.5 million, and pledged a total of $8 million, to build a hospital and school in his native Democratic Republic of Congo.

Fellow 'baller Alonzo Mourning brings in the dollars every year with his popular 'Zo's Summer Groove event. Chicago Bulls star Jalen Rose hosts a star-studded weekend to benefit his Giving Back Foundation. The Warrick Dunn Foundation, founded by the Atlanta Falcons running back, has a program--Homes for the Holidays--that helps single mothers become first-time homeowners by making the down payments for them.

It is important also to remember the major and continuing contributions of individual Black churches and denominations. The Rev. Cecil L. Murray, pastor of First AME Church in Los Angeles, which sponsors a yearlong program of giving and caring, says, "Blacks who are empowered simply must return more to the at-risk communities."

Blacks giving back: increasing number donate large sums to institutions and causes

Ebony, Dec, 2003 by Kimberly Davis

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