Elsewhere: I Be Black Girl

Just when we at ninety-nine girlfriends thought we had the coolest collective giving circle name going, along comes I Be Black Girl (IBBG).

Ashlei(cq) Spivey, founder of the Omaha-based group, said the name was inspired by author/professor/feminist/activist bell hooks—and in particular, by hooks’ book “Be Boy Buzz,” which Spivey often reads to her 6-year-old son.

Spivey’s schedule is dizzying. She co-owns an Omaha restaurant, Best Burger. She works at a private foundation in Kansas City. She has a 6-year-old. At 33, she has a background in issues involving racial and gender justice. She lives those issues as well, as often she is the only Black woman in a leadership role in her workplace.

IBBG began organically, Spivey said in a telephone interview, as an effort to extend the national conversation about philanthropy, and to allow “everyday women to see themselves as philanthropists.” Voting members must identify as Black women or girls, and must contribute a minimum annual donation of $150.

The group has given out more than $100,000 since its launch in 2017, with grants ranging from $3500 to $7500. Awardees are not required to have 5013c nonprofit status, but must serve at least 75% Black women or girls or be led by Black women. Grant recipients also are encouraged to provide volunteer opportunities to IBBG members.

But handing out checks is only part of IBBG’s mission. The group promotes economic empowerment and entrepreneurship and encourages connections among Black women and girls. IBBG organizes events ranging from film discussions to entrepreneur think tanks to “Mama and Kid” meetups. IBBG information sessions target issues that specifically concern their membership, such as #CurlCrew, a move to end natural hair discrimination in Nebraska workplaces.

Along with educational forums and social gatherings, IBBG also offers “merch” ranging from T-shirts (in mom-and-kid sizes), tote bags, mugs and computer stickers.

“We’re the first of our kind to be so comprehensive,” Spivey said.

– Elizabeth Mehren

Another Way of Doing Things

“I’m learning how I want to give money,” says Diana Velene. “I feel like ninety-nine girlfriends has been my philanthropy grad school.” Diana, a fourth-year member, has been active on a Grant Review Team and as a Grantee Partner Liaison as well as participating in as many member education events as possible.

“I’ve loved being part of big, audacious projects, but from Portland Homeless Family Solutions I learned that helping someone out of an immediate financial crisis can make all the difference for them,” Diana said via email.

Several years ago, Diana met Cameron Whitten on an Albina District walking tour. She found him to be “a bundle of energy and passion, and a devoted activist.” Today he’s a Metro Council candidate and co-founder (with Salome Chimuku) of the Black Resilience Fund (BRF), an emergency resource that raises funds from non-Black allies to support Black Portlanders. In a short few months since its inception, BRF has raised more than $1,362,040 from more than 14,000  donations and that figure continues to climb.

As of July 30, BRF had funded more than $713,469 in immediate support of Black Portlanders. The effort has particular resonance as each day and night throughout the city, diverse groups of Portland residents gather to consider the implications of racial inequities.

“So many people in our community are at that point where it doesn’t take much for them to be in a precarious financial position,” Diana explains. “Add losing a job because of the pandemic, the trauma that comes from a lifetime of racism boiling over into the events of the last month and you’ve got the perfect, horrible storm.”

Individuals contact the fund with a need, volunteers conduct a 15-minute interview, and more often than not, BRF gives them money to cover their need. As Diana points out, “It’s truly a grassroots effort to bring money quickly to the folks who need it now.” 

— Tammy Wilhoite