DR. COPELAND PASSES THE BATON AS BLACK PHILANTHROPY MONTH ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP TRANSITION WITH FLOYD JONES TAKING THE HELM
PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / November 13, 2024 / DR. JACQUELINE "BOUVIER" COPELAND, the visionary founder of BLACK PHILANTHROPY MONTH (BPM), is stepping down as BPM's leader and chairwoman, marking a pivotal moment in the history of this global movement for Black giving and funding equity. Known for her groundbreaking work in philanthropy and social justice, Dr. Copeland will continue her support as BPM's International Chair Emeritus, while emerging leader FLOYD JONES, founder of the BackBlack Movement, takes the reins as the new BPM International Chair. Jones, an advocate for Black Diaspora funding equity, will lead BPM into its next era, supported by a volunteer Global Leadership Council, comprised of leading figures in Black philanthropy from across the globe, including Voice.Vision.Values. founder Toya Nash Randall, the chair of BPM's prestigious ‘Reunity: Black Women Give Back Award' initiative.
Founded in 2011 under Dr. Copeland's leadership, Black Philanthropy Month has become a powerful international platform, mobilizing 100 million people from inception to celebrate and advance Black philanthropy. Driven by a passion to advance a culture of giving based on love of all humanity, Dr. Copeland created BPM to bring awareness to the contributions and needs of Black communities worldwide, from the U.S. to the global Diaspora. BPM's mission remains steadfast - to elevate Black voices in philanthropy and tackle funding inequities. Now, with Jones and the Council at the helm, BPM aims to continue expanding its initiatives, further embedding Black giving in the global consciousness.
Throughout her tenure, and under her leadership, Dr. Copeland and Black Philanthropy Month have spotlighted a powerful yet under-recognized movement, and brought global attention to Black philanthropy's critical role in community building and social justice. Black Americans alone donate an estimated $23 billion in charitable giving annually, yet Black-led organizations and Black communities face immense funding gaps and systemic barriers in accessing capital for their non-profit organizations and businesses with only 1% to 2% of U.S. philanthropic and venture capital reaching these communities. Dr. Copeland founded BPM to address these disparities, and bridge this gap, as well as to make Black generosity a celebrated part of Black identity and heritage, positioning Black giving as a vital force for positive change worldwide.
Birgit Smith Burton, AADO Founder, and Association of Fundraising Professionals International Board Chair notes that, "For many many years, Dr. Copeland has been a trailblazing chronicler, educator, and champion of Black philanthropy across the globe. As the founder of Black Philanthropy Month, she has illuminated the fact that Black giving extends far beyond the African American experience in the U.S. It is a vital aspect of Black cultural heritage worldwide, with the potential to advance racial equity and justice everywhere."
Reflecting on her legacy and the future of Black Philanthropy Month, Dr. Copeland shared, "The true success of any movement leader is the capacity to pass the baton to the next generation. As a volunteer all these decades, BPM has been an affair of the heart, representing my passion to advance our culture of giving as a core element of Black identity, unity, and shared funding capital everywhere. I am most thankful to the countless leaders and funders, who have helped make my BPM dreams reality. Our collective effort has exceeded my wildest imagination with 100 million people engaged and more countries celebrating it worldwide than Black History Month.
Today's challenges require that we engage community differently. We need to blend old school organizing with new school technologies and smart marketing to embolden our giving and funding in increasingly hostile, anti-Black societal environments. As BPM founder, I am delighted to pass the mantle to the next generation represented by Floyd Jones, a dynamic Black Diaspora philanthropy leader. With Floyd's leadership and the support of our Global Council, BPM is primed to become an even greater force in the ongoing struggle for funding equity and economic justice. I look forward to activating our rich philanthropic and creative economy with allies to advance equity and healing for all people and our shared planet during these fractious but still hopeful new times."
As Dr. Copeland transitions from BPM, her work is far from complete. As founder and CEO of The Women Invested to Save Earth Fund (WISE Fund), she will continue championing equity through projects like AGAPE (A Global African Philanthropic Experience), a BPM spinoff launching in 2025 to foster a Global Black Diaspora Giving Economy. Dr. Copeland is also developing Soul Fusion, a Black Diaspora music collective that blends performance and educational programming to highlight Black musical contributions, with proceeds benefitting both BPM and WISE Fund initiatives.
Looking to the future, Black Philanthropy Month's new leadership is refining its plans for 2025 to build upon the foundation Dr. Copeland established. Continuing its practice of announcing annual themes on Martin Luther King Day, BPM will further strengthen its global August celebration, mobilizing millions to support Black philanthropy. In this new era, BPM remains committed to advancing equity and promoting sustainable support for Black communities worldwide, honoring Dr. Copeland's vision while adapting to new challenges, and continuing to inspire change and unity in an evolving social climate, under Mr. Jones's leadership.
Speaking about succeeding Dr. Copeland to take Black Philanthropy Month forward into the future, Floyd Jones shared, "It is an incredible honor to build on the extraordinary foundation Dr. Copeland has created for Black Philanthropy Month over the past 20 years. Her visionary leadership has transformed BPM into a global celebration of Black giving and philanthropy. I am excited to carry the baton for the next generation, building on this legacy to further elevate BPM as a cultural landmark. Together, we will continue to grow the BPM movement, inspiring collective giving and investment in Black communities worldwide."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
About Dr. Jacqueline "Bouvier" Copeland - Dr. Jacqueline "Bouvier" Copeland is a pioneering force in global philanthropy, social justice, and cultural arts. As a renowned social change artist, cultural anthropologist, founder of Black Philanthropy Month, and founder of the Women Invested to Save Earth (WISE) Fund, Dr. Copeland has spent her career harnessing the power of philanthropy, impact investing, and the arts to uplift marginalized communities and protect the environment. She has dedicated over four decades to advancing funding equity, supporting diverse innovators developing solutions to critical global challenges. She also did the original design of ‘My Brothers Keeper' that would go on to become a signature initiative of the Obama Administration and Foundation. Named one of the world's Top 100 Philanthropists by Unbound Philanthropy, Dr. Copeland's multifaceted approach has impacted countless lives across Africa, the Americas, and beyond, cementing her legacy as an innovator in sustainable social change.
Dr. Copeland's founding of Black Philanthropy Month (BPM) has become a defining accomplishment in her career. Since 2011, BPM has grown into an influential international movement celebrating Black giving and tackling funding inequities for Afrodescendant communities worldwide. Observed in 60 countries and engaging over 100 million people, BPM has become a cultural milestone, with more nations now marking its celebration in August than Black History Month. Under her guidance, BPM has unified global Black philanthropic efforts and mobilized new awareness around funding equity, setting a precedent for future initiatives. Dr. Copeland's commitment to creating meaningful change, and her visionary leadership, continue to expand the visibility and impact of Black philanthropy on an unprecedented scale.
Beyond her influence in social justice and philanthropy, Dr. Copeland is also an accomplished artist and singer-songwriter, performing under the name Bouvier. Her latest music project, I Wish You Love, Brazil: Bouvier Live!, recorded during Carnival 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, celebrates the rich heritage of the global Black Diaspora. Through her Soul Fusion project, she amplifies Afrodescendant contributions to global music, with net proceeds directed to nonprofit work in Brazil, Mexico, the U.S., and across Africa. A dedicated lifelong learner, Dr. Copeland holds advanced degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Georgetown, as well as specialized certifications from Oxford and Santa Clara Universities. With each endeavor, Dr. Copeland seamlessly blends her artistic passions with her commitment to social equity, leaving an enduring impact on every field she touches.
About Floyd Jones - Floyd Jones is a visionary speaker, coach, and community builder based in New York City, known for his transformative work in advancing Black philanthropy and strengthening grassroots initiatives. As the founder of BackBlack, a pioneering platform championing Black-led nonprofits, Floyd has raised over $2 million for 1,000 Black-led organizations, establishing essential funding pipelines for impactful, community-driven causes. His previous role as Director of Community & Partnerships at Givebutter showcased his expertise in scaling social impact; under his leadership, the platform has grown to support over $2 billion in annual donations, making it one of the most influential tools for nonprofit fundraising today.
With a career defined by fostering sustainable social impact, Floyd has built and mobilized communities that have collectively raised over $40 million for grassroots organizations worldwide. He has become a sought-after voice on community-led growth strategies, sharing his expertise at over 100 major conferences across the United States. His contributions have been spotlighted by high-profile media outlets including ESPN, LinkedIn, AfroTech, Variety, and Wired, and his initiatives have attracted sponsorships from global brands such as NIKE, Whole Foods, VISA, and NBA2k. Beyond his work with BackBlack, Floyd consults nonprofits, creators, and mission-driven brands on scaling engagement into sustained, transformative support, empowering communities to thrive and grow through enduring connections.
About Black Philanthropy Month - Founded in 2011 by Dr. Jacqueline "Bouvier" Copeland, and a program of The Women Invested to Save Earth Fund (WISE), Black Philanthropy Month (BPM) stands as the world's only global coalition devoted to celebrating and advancing Black giving and funding equity. BPM is a global celebration and concerted campaign to elevate African-descent giving and funding equity. Initially launched to honor the United Nations Year and Decade of People of African Descent, BPM has grown into an international movement that spotlights and supports the transformative role of Black philanthropy across 60 countries, culminating in a multinational summit every August. BPM's multinational summit and global campaign reach millions, engaging over 100 million participants from diverse Afro-descendant communities and allies worldwide.
Supported by an esteemed volunteer Global Leadership Council, and guided by the Global Black Funding Equity Principles, BPM's year-round initiatives, like the Global Black Funding Equity Pledge and survey, advocate for fair and inclusive investment practices to empower Black communities. Engaging with a diverse coalition of leaders, sponsors, and advisors who drive its mission forward, BPM has not only expanded its reach but has also become a crucial platform for collective action, setting benchmarks for equitable funding worldwide, and advancing Dr. Copeland's vision of sustained equity and opportunity for Black communities globally. As BPM builds on this momentum, it invites allies to join in its mission to create lasting equity and opportunities, honoring Dr. Copeland's vision for sustainable growth and justice for Black communities globally.
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SOURCE: Black Philanthropy Month
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