Gala to honor 20 years of Black philanthropy in Grand Rapids

Nonprofit

Feb 11

Written By Staff

Photo courtesy of Grand Rapids Community Foundation

Two decades ago, community members came together to start a fund at Grand Rapids Community Foundation that would specifically support nonprofits in Black communities. Now, Black Legacy Fund is hosting a gala to celebrate and honor the tradition of Black philanthropy in Kent County and look to the future together. The Black Legacy Fund’s 20th Anniversary Gala will take place on February 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. at New Vintage Place, 889 Broadway Ave NW in Grand Rapids.

"Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Black Legacy Fund honors the tradition of community giving right here in Grand Rapids. Black Legacy Fund, a fund of Grand Rapids Community Foundation, was founded by local community members to support nonprofits in Black communities," said Hannah Fernando, Community Giving Manager at the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. "Today, the work continues to be volunteer led and focuses to uplift Black brilliance and improve Black quality of life in greater Grand Rapids."

Guests will enjoy an evening of dinner, drinks, dancing, and live music to celebrate and explore the past, present, and future of Black philanthropy in greater Grand Rapids. A short program will be emceed by award-winning broadcast news journalist Jennifer Moss and will include the testimonies of three grant partner organizations: Beyond the City, the Deborah Project, and Taylor Made Re-Entry. Following the program, guests will enjoy live music by local musician Avalon Cutts-Jones.

Proceeds will benefit Black Legacy Fund, whose volunteer-led committee leads grantmaking, community engagement, and collective giving efforts. The fund’s focus is to uplift Black brilliance and improve Black quality of life in greater Grand Rapids.

Established in 2006 by Ellen James and Elias Lumpkins and the late Margaret Sellers Walker Morris, Shirley Daniels, Beverly Drake, and Cal Jeter as the African American Heritage Fund, the fund has evolved and expanded over 20 years. Today, Black Legacy Fund honors the heritage of ancestors, invites a more inclusive understanding of Black communities in Kent County, and creates a legacy for future generations. In its latest grantmaking cycle, advisory committee members awarded $382,000 to nonprofit organizations. Since its inception, the fund has awarded $952,426 to local organizations and nonprofits. For more information, visit GRFoundation.org/Gala.

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