The collective prosperity of America depends on guaranteeing dignity, health, and economic security for all. This principle is inextricably linked to the economic well-being of members of multifaceted communities of color who compose the growing majority of our nation. AFN’s Realizing Economic Justice (REJ) Funder Primer affirms that asset building philanthropy is at a critical inflection point. No longer willing to operate at the edges of the status quo, many philanthropic leaders and organizations seek to be part of transformational, systems-level change. We must continue to move from words to action and align financial investments to our commitments.

On March 20th, 2024 AFN held a webinar and we learned about an innovative approach to support community wealth building strategies. We featured The Highland Project, a collaborative coalition of Black women leaders who are designing and leading solutions that create multi-generational wealth and change for Black communities. Specifically, we:

  • Learned what the national research says about what Black women across America name as top aspirations and barriers to multi-generational wealth for their communities.
  • Discussed why Black women are essential to the future prosperity of this nation and why we must center and invest in their leadership with trusting capital.
  • Examined how strategic action and power building across sectors, seats of power, and generations is essential to creating systems-level solutions to permanently disrupt the racial wealth gap.
Speakers

Gabrielle Wyatt, The Highland Project
Rhonda Broussard, Beloved Community and Highland Leader
Velvet Bryant, Asset Funders Network (moderator)
Speakers Bios

Resources

Asset Funders Network Resources
Realizing Economic Justice Interactive Toolkit
On the Road to Racial and Economic Justice Funder Primer

The Highland Project Resources
Listening and Centering Black Women – THP’s National Poll Research
“Investing in Black Women Leaders With the Dream Capital They Need” (Stanford Innovation Review)

Beloved Community Resources
Collective Impact Forum Podcast
Journal of Participatory Research Methods
NOLA CARES
Generation Hope
Awa by Beloved