When you think of philanthropists throughout American history, what names come to mind? As we celebrate Black History Month, we feature two Black philanthropists whose contributions to their communities date back to the Revolutionary War, and whose legacies live on in facilitating generosity to organize movements and provide aid to friends, families, and neighbors still today.
James Forten (1766-1842)
Throughout the early 1800s, James Forten was one of America’s wealthiest men, having amassed his fortune after fighting in the Revolutionary War and becoming a sailmaker and inventing a new sail design. Though Forten was born free in Philadelphia, he was a staunch abolitionist and organizer. By the end of his life, he had spent half of his fortune buying the freedom of enslaved people. He also made his home a stop on the Underground Railroad, and financially supported the Black newspaper “The Liberator” and the Lombard Street School, the only public high school at the time for Black students in the city.
Portrait of James Forten comes from The Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
Madam C.J. Walker (1867-1919)
Known as the “first female self-made millionaire in America,” Madam C.J. Walker was an entrepreneur who achieved wide success by developing and marketing a line of cosmetics and hair care products for Black women. But did you know that she was an influential philanthropist and civic leader?
Her roots as a washerwoman, which Walker said was a key part of her identity, was one of the first ways she became embedded in a community of giving. According to Dr. Tyrone Freeman, author of Madam C.J. Walker’s Gospel of Giving, washerwomen were known for their generosity.
While Dr. Freeman explores the double-edged sword of lifting up Walker as a prominent philanthropist, she undoubtedly changed the lives of millions with her financial gifts. Making incredible contributions to organizations like the YMCA and the NAACP throughout her life, she also left most of her estate to charity upon her passing.
Photo of Madam C.J. Walker comes from the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
Fundraising to organize and build movements
During the Civil Rights movement, fundraising was a critical part of organizing for change. In fact, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference ran a direct mail campaign that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for their civil rights efforts. Through the collection of both small individual donations and large major gifts, the SCLC leveraged the power of fundraising to catalyze a historic grassroots campaign across the country.
One of the roots of fundraising in America is community organizing and Black philanthropy is one of the best examples of what’s possible when people come together in church basements, barber shops, and other public spaces. Minnesota saw a resurgence of mutual aid funds in the wake of George Floyd’s murder—a direct callback to Black-led fundraising campaigns throughout history.
For more:
- Read Madam C.J. Walker’s Gospel of Giving- Listen to this episode of the I So Appreciate You! podcast featuring Lulete Mola of the Black Collective Foundation MN