Beyond Wordz
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S.M.A.R.T Black Philanthropy
A New Model for Philanthropy in Black Communities
S.M.A.R.T. Black Philanthropy is a Beyond Wordz blog that aims to advance a new model of philanthropy in Black communities. This model is asset based instead of deficit based. It prioritizes a collaborative approach instead of a competitive approach to philanthropy. Finally, it is rooted in Black traditions and movements.
SBP is written from the perspective of Johane Alexis-Phanor, a Haitian-American woman who inadvertently found herself in the field of community development working to leverage charitable giving to support the economic empowerment of communities of color. It challenges the current paradigm of philanthropy while exploring issues of Black self-reliance, structural inequalities in the non-profit field, the intersection of faith and social justice, and more. The S.M.A.R.T in S.M.A.R.T Black Philanthropy stands for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely- an acronym that is often used to set mission-driven goals. These writings present a S.M.A.R.T alternative for achieving greater social good through philanthropy.