Black Philanthropy Landing Page
Celebrating Black generosity and a love of humanity
Arizona State University owes much of its success to the generosity of Black donors. Their contributions, both past and present, have touched countless lives and continue to make a significant impact. This August, the ASU Foundation is proud to participate in Black Philanthropy Month.
Black households are a driving force in charitable giving that strengthens communities. Black Philanthropy Month, established in 2011, aims to celebrate Black generosity and promote equity in funding. Today, the initiative reaches 19 million people across 60 countries.
This is our third year celebrating Black Philanthropy Month. Throughout August, we invite you to join us in honoring those who have shared their time, talent and treasure with our communities. Together, we can elevate the funds that support Black students, faculty and programs at ASU.
We hope you enjoy hearing from the donors and leaders who have made a lasting impact at ASU and beyond.
ASU Black African Coalition Student Scholar Fund
Your generosity provides scholarship support to students actively involved in the ASU Black African Coalition.
Black Collections at ASU Library
The Black Collections at the ASU Library seeks to establish programs and services that will engage, educate and empower Arizona’s Black community to preserve currently silenced narratives and history.
Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA)
This fund supports the Black Graduate Student Association and advances Black graduates with opportunities for scholarships, development opportunities, mentorship and a safe, inclusive space for all graduates of color.
A. Wade Smith Memorial Lecture Endowment
This endowment honors the legacy of ASU sociology professor A. Wade Smith and supports a landmark lecture on race relations. Past speakers include Nikole Hannah-Jones, Isabel Wilkerson and Kimberlé Crenshaw.
ASU Alumni Association Black Alumni Chapter Scholarship Endowment
Your gift provides scholarships to support students pursuing their academic goals at Arizona State University.
Atllas Hopkins
Atllas Hopkins is a recent graduate of ASU and a cofounder of Students Engaged in Ethical Donations (SEED). He discusses ways for young people to get involved with philanthropy.
Jessica Salow
Jessica Salow is the Assistant Archivist of Black Collections at the ASU Library. She is working to create a robust collection of primary and secondary resources that document the lived experiences of Black people living and thriving in the state of Arizona.
Lisa Anderson
Lisa Anderson is a professor of women and gender studies and African and African American Studies, and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the Graduate College. Her current research interests include the performance of gender; race, gender and sexuality in popular culture, particularly in scifi and fantasy; feminist semiotics and phenomenology.
Black changemakers from across ASU
From leadership to research, Black alumni, donors, faculty and staff are finding new ways to leverage their excellence and support their communities.
LIFT: ASU's commitment to Black students, faculty and staff
When the unrest of 2020 refocused a national conversation on racism, people from across our community came together to identify and address the ways in which ASU was falling short of its Charter. This work eventually resulted in the LIFT initiative, a series of 25 actions to support Black students, faculty and staff at ASU.
Magic Johnson captivates ASU crowd in speech honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
As former NBA great Earvin “Magic” Johnson neared the end of his speech Monday night honoring Martin Luther King Jr., he asked the audience of about 700 inside Arizona State University’s Student Pavilion to stand up and put their arms around the person next to them.
At age 90, America's first Black astronaut candidate has finally made it to space
Ed Dwight, the man who six decades ago nearly became America's first Black astronaut, made his first trip into space at age 90 on Sunday along with five crewmates aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket.
Teen College of Health Solutions grad’s STEAM program helps underserved populations
Meet Dorothy Jean Tillman II. She's taking part in commencement ceremonies this spring after completing her online doctoral degree in behavioral health from Arizona State University’s College of Health Solutions in December. She's no stranger to hard work and finding ways to get things done.
Twin Flames: The George Floyd Uprising from Minneapolis to Phoenix
In partnership with ASU’s Center for Work and Democracy and the George Floyd Global Memorial, ASU Art Museum presents “Twin Flames: The George Floyd Uprising from Minneapolis to Phoenix.” Presented for the first time outside of Minnesota and on view from February 3 through July 28, 2024 at the ASU Art Museum, “Twin Flames” asks important questions about the role of art and community as a vehicle for bearing witness and creating deeper understanding and empathy. It also examines the state of public memorials in this country, and prompts us to reflect on whose stories are shared, by whom and why.
ASU English professor wins Guggenheim Fellowship for poetry
The awards — and opportunities — keep piling up for Safiya Sinclair, an associate professor in Arizona State University’s Department of English.
ASU alum wraps up historic year as first Black president of the State Bar of Arizona
The W. P. Carey School of Business graduate was the first Black president in the association's 91-year history, which is why he ran to helm the nonprofit organization that regulates the practice of law in Arizona.
MLK's 1964 speech at ASU subject of new, continuing exhibit
Now, 10 years later and on the 60th anniversary of King’s speech, ASU is honoring King’s legacy with a continuing exhibit at Durham Hall.
ASU student on the importance of Black generosity
Jason Amoako-Agyei started his college career as a nursing student but soon realized that the bedside wasn't the right place for him. He remained passionate about the field in which much of his family works but decided that he was more inclined to work behind the scenes. Today, Amoako-Agyei is a rising senior in Arizona State University's College of Health Solutions, where he studies health care administration and policy.
By the numbers
Black individuals and institutions have long been underappreciated in discussions of philanthropy. It’s time to set the record straight.
Black households give
25%
more of their income than white households.
2/3
of Black households donate to organizations and causes.
Black households give
$11B
to charity annually.
87%
of ASU undergraduate students received some level of financial assistance in fall 2022.
7,416
ASU students received scholarships funded by donors last year.
$29.7M
in scholarships funded by donors awarded to ASU students.
Source: The W.K. Kellogg Foundation
“Through volunteer service, leadership positions, financial donations and more, Black donors have invested their time, talent and treasure in the ASU community. Their work, past and present, has improved countless lives.”
-- Gretchen E. Buhlig, Chief Executive Officer, ASU Foundation