California Black Freedom Fund

For this year’s #LaborDay, we are spotlighting Marc Philpart, Executive Director of California Black Freedom Fund (CBFF), a partner of Irvine. The first state-based fund of its kind, CBFF works to ensure that Black power-building and movement-based organizations have the sustained investments and resources they need to eradicate system and institutional racism.     Hear more from Marc at: https://lnkd.in/gbjMZYb7 and learn more about CBFF at: https://irvine.ly/4cnjozb 

#LaborDay is a chance to celebrate the leaders continuing to build worker power, advance better working conditions, and ensure all Californians can dream and thrive in our state. To mark this occasion, we spotlighted University of California, Merced Community and Labor Center’s Ana Padilla, California Black Freedom Fund’s Marc Philpart, CHIRLA’s Angelica Salas, and Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California (PWC)’s Aquilina Soriano Versoza.    Did you miss our content series? Check them out here: https://irvine.ly/3Z72TUU

"There’s no better time than now to respond to the urgency that our communities are demanding by giving everything we’ve got. That’s the kind of democracy this nation was founded on. Let’s all go 'All-In' for this country, the multiracial democracy we are building, and the people we serve." 🙌🏿 Check out this incredible piece on how endowments can strategically leverage their investments to intentionally reach folks who are often "left on the economic sidelines." Co-authored by our incredible partners: Joanna Jackson, President/CEO, Weingart Foundation; Dr. Robert K. Ross, President/CEO, The California Endowment; Richard Tate, President/CEO, The California Wellness Foundation https://lnkd.in/gBvvKMYi

Brioxy is an innovative community-rooted organization supporting collective land work led by Black folx. From a year long Fellowship to the most comprehensive capacity building initiative for collective land, they have taken a holistic approach to building the field. On September 19th, join Brioxy for a special briefing to learn more about their work and impact throughout the last year. This funder briefing is an amazing opportunity to hear directly from the Brioxy team about lessons, opportunites for the field and strategize with other funders on the resource landscape in California and the South. RSVP and learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gEhRQXwX

In celebration of Black Philanthropy Month, last week we gathered with West Coast philanthropic leaders to delve deeper into the reparations movement and explore how funders are courageously investing in it, even as others pull back from racial justice initiatives. Special thank you to Seattle/King County African American Reparations Committee, the Inatai Foundation and the Black Future Co-op Fund for partnering with us! As CBFF Executive Director, Marc Philpart, shared during the event, "given the scale of the challenge we face, we must think beyond the confines of our city, county, state. And we must work towards institutions that exist beyond this moment. We need building Black philanthropic institutions to be part of our vision for repair.”

The next two stops in the State of Black California event series are quickly approaching. Don’t delay – RSVP today to save your spot! Join us on September 14th in Sacramento and September 28th in Oakland for critical conversations on the state of our communities and the movement to secure reparations for Black Californians. Visit stateofblackcalifornia.org to register! #SOBC #StateofBlackCalifornia

As Indian American narratives take center stage in the 2024 election, Reshma Shamasunder and Rinku Sen remind us of the importance of acknowledging the intersection of Black and Indian freedom movements. The Civil Rights Movement, led by Black and brown communities, laid the foundation for the immigration and achievements of many Indian Americans. Our collective future depends on an inclusive –and accurate– narrative that uplifts all communities of color. Read more from Reshma Shamasunder and Rinku Sen: https://lnkd.in/eMReBYrw

We were deeply inspired by the powerful insights shared during our last Membership Monday Spotlight Series featuring Dr. Melicia Whitt Glover, Executive Director of the Council on Black Health. Register for our next ABFE Monday Membership Spotlight Series happening on Monday, September 16th at 12 p.m. EST featuring Marc Philpart, Vice President and Executive Director of the California Black Freedom Fund. The California Black Freedom Fund is a five-year, $100 million initiative to ensure that Black power-building and movement-based organizations have the sustained investments and resources they need to eradicate systemic and institutional racism. Register now: https://lnkd.in/eST7Be2X This spotlight series offers more than just knowledge—it's a unique platform dedicated to showcasing the exceptional work and leadership within our ABFE membership to the broader community. Register now!

"The solutions to the systemic inequities that diminish our power are held in our communities." Marc Philpart began his journey as the inaugural Executive Director of California Black Freedom Fund fully prepared for his new mission: unleash and empower Black-led social change, transforming California through a shared collective vision of liberation. As NBF honors Black Philanthropy Month, we uplift the work of the California Black Freedom Fund and all our partners mobilizing for a self-determined, intersectional vision of the future. Learn more about CBF's call to make justice real in California: https://bit.ly/2LnK7oX We are beyond thankful to Marc Philpart for emceeing our upcoming webinar, "We Got Us: Cultivating Hope Through Cross-Racial Solidarity." Stay tuned for details!

This #BlackPhilanthropyMonth, we're reflecting on the incredible progress we have made since our founding in 2020. At CBFF, we know that the solutions to the systemic inequities that diminish our power exist within our communities. While we are proud of the work we have accomplished together with our funders and grantee partners, we know there is so much more work to do. We look forward to even more investments in Black power-builders in the years ahead!