In every young Black person’s life, we find ourselves in either a relative’s kitchen, living room, barber shop, or hair salon, listening to stories of the Black struggle. Enthralled by the happiness and sadness of Black life in the last five decades. Listening to the same story time and again throughout our lives, especially during Black History Month, I noticed how each story ends on the same theme, “We’ve come far, just not far enough.”
It’s a scary theme because fifty years ago, the struggle was incomprehensible; now, at times, the efforts are still arduous, but pockets of hope make waking up the next day something to look forward to. Working for The M Network is a pocket of hope I am happy to have in my life. After graduating college, working for an agency was the last place I wanted to begin my career. Over the years, I would hear stories about the office workplace drama, politics, and sometimes racism. Being a woman in a professional setting is a task on its own but being a Black woman in a professional environment is a whole other battle, a battle I was not sure I had the energy to fight.
Working for an agency whose main priority is to bring positive change into the community by working with clients who share the same goal was a breath of fresh air. Having the opportunity to work with clients who acknowledge the strife of minorities living in Miami and being part of a team who lays the foundation to improve that change is something I am proud of each day.
So, attending The State of Black Philanthropy, hosted by The Miami Foundation, was one of those moments where I felt my Black community had a platform to be heard and acknowledged.
Even though I was working the event as an M Network media liaison, being in the presence of people who look like me allowed me to witness an auspicious moment by which we were all creating a positive impact in the Black community.
I was proud to see Black-owned businesses selling food and giving sweet treats to the guests. In addition, musical and dance performances were curated around the Black experience, ranging from a Sunday church service to my ancestors’ African roots through song and dance.
Aside from showcasing the Black arts, the Miami Foundation also released a report which validated what the Black community already knows: Black families give back more to their community than other minority groups. The report also shares data points on racial and social injustice and racial equity.
As a Black Miami resident or just a Miami resident, I implore you to look over the report yourself and see how you can make a difference.
For me, The State of Black Philanthropy was an event of hope, a platform for Black voices to be heard and acknowledged, and an opportunity to create new stories for black youths to create their beacon of light and continue making strides to improve their community.
Learn more about The Miami Foundation’s State of Black Philanthropy here.
