SIGNATURE PRACTICES

In order to effectively build infrastructure for Black led change,

we have created signature practices to build Black philanthropic power, transform philanthropy, and support community leaders. We believe that in order to create long lasting transformation, we need to develop practices instead of programs. Programs are temporary, practices are long-term approaches. 

Community Builders

Our Community Builders Signature Practice builds Black power in the sector of philanthropy and strengthens the ecosystem of Black-led change.

Each year, through an open nomination process, we bring together talented, community-focused individuals whose innovative, philanthropic approach to life helps build and strengthen our grantmaking. Our goal is to ensure the cohort reflects the diversity of our community, and to amplify the leadership of those who are normally not included in the process. Over six months, Community Builders learn about philanthropy, design a grantmaking program, inform the interconnected challenges to address, and put forth transformative solutions. Upon completion of the program, participants are eligible to receive support to sustain their leadership and continued participation in the sector.

We are proud to introduce to you the 2023 Community Builders cohort, a group of 15 unique and dedicated partners helping shape the impact and drive the community investments of the Black Collective Foundation MN.

Our 2023 Community Builders

  • A’Bryana Ware

    A’Bryana Ware

    Founder, Black Women Speak

  • Brian Curtis Herron Sr.

    Brian Curtis Herron Sr.

    Pastor of Zion Baptist Church in North Minneapolis

  • Comfort Dondo

    Comfort Dondo

    Founder, Executive Director, Author and Healer

  • De'Vonna Pittman

    De'Vonna Pittman

    Founder and CEO, Nature’s Syrup Hair and Skin Care

  • Habon Abdulle

    Habon Abdulle

    Executive Director, Ayada Leads

  • Jennifer Aranda

    Jennifer Aranda

    Assistant Professor - Educator, Leadership and Civic Engagement

  • Malik Rucker

    Malik Rucker

    Director, Community Engagement and Partnerships, V3 Sports

  • Markus Flynn

    Markus Flynn

    Executive Director, Black Men Teach

  • Nafeesah Muhammad

    Nafeesah Muhammad

    Deputy Director - Educators for Excellence

  • Niila Hebert

    Niila Hebert

    Chief Strategic Engagement Officer, African American Leadership Forum

  • Sindiswa Georgiades

    Sindiswa Georgiades

    Managing Partner at Wellness Paradigm

  • Tariq Muata

    Tariq Muata

    Director/Videographer at the Minnesota Timberwolves & Lynx

  • Tia Williams

    Tia Williams

    Community Organizer
    Frogtown Neighborhood Association/ District 7

  • Dallas Watson

    Dallas Watson

    Social Organizer and Student Leader

  • Trahern Crews

    Trahern Crews

    Co Founder of Black Lives Matters Minnesota

Our 2022 Community Builders

  • Abena Abraham

    Co-Founder, Black Immigrant Collective

  • Anissa Keyes

    President, Arubah Emotional Health Services

  • Dr. Artika Tyner

    Founder, Planting People Growing Justice Press and Bookstore

  • Biance Monique Dawkins

    Social Responsibility Senior Coordinator, MN Timberwolves & Lynx

    Co-Chair for the Black Elevation Alliance

  • Danielle Swift

    Community Organizer - real estate, land use, non-profit community development

  • Del Shea Perry

    Founder, Be Their Voices

  • Hassan Qais As-Sidiq

    Founder, Black Army Brigade

    Advocacy & Civic Engagement Chair, Urban League Twin Cities Young Professionals

  • Jeffrey Aguy

    Founding CEO, 2043 SBC

    Founding Partner, NCXT

  • Joy Marsh

    VP, Equity & Inclusion UCare

    LGBT Activist

  • Leslie Redmond

    President, NAACP Minneapolis

    Founder, Don’t Complain Activate

    Founder, Minneapolis Community Healing Team

  • Salma Ibrahim

    Co-Founder/Executive Director, REDACT

  • Sha Cage

    Founder, Catalyst Art

    Co-Director/Consultant, Tru Ruts

    Founder, NuWay Consulting

  • Teto Wilson

    CEO, Wilson's Image

  • Dr. Tracine Asberry

    Executive Director, St. Paul Youth Services

  • Victoria McWane-Creek

    Founder, Organization 4 Full Participation

Black-Led Change
Grantee Partners & Fellows

Our community builders were integral in disbursing $1 Million in funding to our grant recipients. Our grant recipients were chosen because of their place in the ecosystem of Black-led change. They are all leaders and we are excited to see what they do next.

Founder, Sierra Carter
The Zen Bin


Founder, Ayolanda Mack and Adrian Mack
Black Family Blueprint


Founder, Kimberly Handy Jones
The Cordale Q Handy Remembrance of Me Foundation


Founder, Georgia Fort
Stories by Georgia Fort, LLC


Founder, Kenna Cottman
Voice of Culture

Founder, Kasim AburRazzaq
Kasim AburRazzaqAbdur Razzaq Counseling & Social Architecture, PA


Founder, Nelima Sitati-Munene
ACER


Founder, Ebony Aya
The Aya Collective


Founder, Vachel Hudson
ReInvesting in Communities and Housing (RICH)

Founder, Steven Johnson also known as Philli Irvin
Intro to Success (ITS)


Founder, Johnny Allen Jr.
The JK Movement


Founder, Lewis McCaleb
N4 Collective


Founder, Rose McGee
Sweet Potato Comfort Pie


Founder, Titilayo Bediako
WE WIN Institute, Inc.

Founder, Kevin Reese
Until We Are All Free Movement

Grant Opportunities

We currently do not have any open grant rounds. We are committed to funding creatively and abundantly to resource community centered and culturally powered solutions, please sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date on future grant opportunities.

Learning & Research

In partnership with Center for Evaluation Innovation with contributions by Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity (PRE), The Black Collective Foundation MN has created a one-of-a-kind study asking the question:
What will it take for institutional philanthropy in Minnesota and beyond to move at the speed of courage and invest wholly in Black lives?

Our work is focused and clear, with a strategic direction developed with Black community leaders.
Our strategic goals include:

1.
Build and operate the first-self determined, endowed Black community Foundation in MN and raise millions in seed funding.

2.
Facilitate, support, and inspire the philanthropic field to center racial justice through power-shifting solidarity 

3.
Strengthen the resilience, capacity, and operations of the ecosystem of Black- led change including movement organizers, community leaders, new and legacy organizations, and Black people leading  in philanthropy


4.
Fund creatively and abundantly to resource community centered and culturally powered solutions through participatory philanthropy 

5.
Support and connect the health, wellbeing, and healing of the people and ecosystem advancing Black-led change

In order to reach these strategic goals, we have conducted extensive research.

Strengthening the Ecosystem

The Black Collective Foundation’s Rooting social is an ongoing series that brings people together to realize racial justice. It's curated for Black people working and leading in the philanthropic sector to network, strengthen relationships, break bread, and reflect the work we do. At Rooting, we provide a space for connectedness, mentorship, relationship building and learning.  

Root/Rooting – is a double entendre that can be defined as a form of cheering on and celebrating. Roots are also the part of a plant that is below ground that is not seen. Roots anchor, support and absorb the nutrients for any plant to grow and reach its fullest potential. 

 This gathering  aims to celebrate the greatness of Black people within the sector, and provide the critical support needed for Black to thrive in philanthropy. 

Rooting for Everybody Black!