The New Generation of African American Philanthropists (NGAAP) has announced in a press release that through the month of August they will be spotlighting Black leaders and founders of nonprofits serving the Charlotte-Mecklenburg, North Carolina area. They have partnered with QCity Metro news to highlight these leaders in a series titled Bold. Beautiful. Boss.

This initiative is a part of the NGAAP’s The Bold Project, an annual celebration of Black Philanthropy Month in Charlotte as a part of a global effort to elevate African-descent giving and funding equity.

With over 300 identifiably Black nonprofits supporting Charlotte communities, ensuring their funding has clear benefits to the communities they support.

While nonprofits can have significant impact in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, many are chronically underfunded and struggle with acquiring the resources necessary to uplift Black communities and communities of color.

According to the QCity Metro press release, they report that nonprofits in Charlotte that are led by and serving Black and/or people of color only receive 0.5% to 3.4% of philanthropic spending in the region, while the populations they support make up approximately 30-54% of the county’s population.

By showcasing these leaders, the NGAAP hopes to cultivate local leadership with those dedicated to building their community’s economic, political, and social power as they seek to level the philanthropic playing field.

Nonprofits highlighted will meet one of three criteria: be founded by someone who is Black or African-American, have its staff/board members be 50% or more Black or African-Americans, or serve communities that are at least 50% Black or African-American.

Since 2006, the NGAAP has invested over $1.4 million in its mission to strengthen communities, engaging thousands to promote philanthropic leadership. This will be the Black Philanthropy Month’s 11th annual celebration, led by the NGAAP.