During Black History Month, we face our nation’s painful legacy of racial injustice and celebrate leaders and activists—past and present—who continue to shape futures that reflect justice, joy, and opportunity.
Support these groups that uplift Black history and culture, advocate for more equitable systems, and ensure that our region’s tapestry of stories is as diverse as the people who live them.
Leadership
African Communities Together organizes and advocates for African immigrants and provides training on workers’ rights and entrepreneurship, creating opportunities to integrate socially, advance economically, and engage civically.
The Black Institute is a Brooklyn-based racial justice “action tank” focused on research and advocacy that centers the needs and perspectives of BIPOC communities on issues such as public education, the environment, immigration, and economic justice.
WESTCHESTER: Founded in late 2021, Fairview Empowerment Group was established to respond to long-standing disparities in food access, economic stability, energy equity, and educational opportunities within the Fairview neighborhood of Greenburgh, New York.
Youth Development
Brotherhood Sister Sol supports Black and Latinx young people ages 8 to 22. It provides educational programming to help young people develop a critical understanding of their history and identity, and trains youth leaders and activists to realize a more just and equitable future.
Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy offers African-centered, multidisciplinary arts and cultural education to over 2,000 students and their families annually in Brooklyn. Classes and workshops are free or priced affordably to ensure access for all.
LONG ISLAND: Butterfly Effect Project provides programming that allows girls from East End towns to build self-esteem, participate in community enrichment activities, develop a support network, and learn leadership skills.
Arts, Culture, and History
Harlem Chamber Players is an ethnically diverse collective of professional classical musicians that emerged from the New York City Housing Authority Symphony Orchestra. It is dedicated to bringing high-caliber, affordable, accessible live classical music to people in the Harlem community and beyond.
National Black Theatre is the longest-running Black theater in New York City. For over half a century it has championed African American cultural identity through transformative theatrical productions, collaborating with trailblazing artists and launching the careers of notable talents.
While We Are Still Here aims to educate, enshrine, and preserve the extraordinary legacy of Harlem. It produces oral histories, town halls, panel discussions and conferences, exhibitions, walking tours, and documentary films and shorts.
This list is not exhaustive. There are many incredible nonprofits helping make our region a better place for all; we seek to highlight a few that may not already be on your radar. Please reach out to our philanthropic advising department at advising@thenytrust.org if you are a donor seeking customized recommendations based on your charitable goals.
