Atlanta is considered the spiritual center for the Civil Rights movement. It was also a key city for the Confederacy, during the (un)Civil War. We have seen considerable progress over the past centuries. Some even call Atlanta the “Black Mecca”; yet we continue to bear witness to– and fight against–some of the same anti-Black racism once depicted in “Gone with the Wind” – same script; different cast.
Before there was a constitution–and subsequent amendments–Black voices and Black lives mattered. The Civil Rights Acts, written to imagine justice for all, are in perpetual attack, as we remind jurists and others that we should have the freedom to fund us however we need. It is our right – no matter who is in an office or a c-suite – to embrace strategies that support all of us. That is OUR power – no matter who is in office.
So, April 7-9, 2025, we invite front-line leaders, trustees, philanthropic practitioners, from across the Black diaspora, and our allies, to join ABFE for Harambee 2025. Atlanta will be our situation room, where we will conspire and celebrate; getting into, “good and necessary trouble’, just as the late, great Congressman and humanitarian, John Lewis encouraged for all of us. We want to share strategies about how:
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Philanthropy is effectively supporting Black communities;
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Front-line, Black-led/serving nonprofits are best positioned and optimally resourced for success; and,
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We can better collaborate with other people and institutions to help Black people and communities thrive.
Select pre-conference activities will begin on Sunday April 6, including a special track for foundation trustees.
About Harambee:
Harambee is a Kenyan tradition of community self-help, fundraising and or development. Its’ literal translation in Swahili is “all pull together”. Since its founding over 53 years ago, ABFE has been a vehicle for leveraging resources to improve Black communities. The shared values of unity, organizing and the pooling of resources are central to ABFE’s purpose and mission of effective and responsive philanthropy for Black communities.
About ABFE:
ABFE is a membership-based philanthropic organization that advocates for responsive and transformative investments in Black communities. Partnering with foundations, nonprofits and individuals, ABFE provides its members with professional development and technical assistance resources that further the philanthropic sector’s connection and responsiveness to issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Established in 1971 as the Association of Black Foundation Executives, the all-volunteer organization was credited with many of philanthropy’s early gains in diversity. It has since evolved into an influential network. In 2013, the organization shed its descriptor and adopted the simpler ABFE (ab-fee) to better reflect its broadening membership.