Black Philanthropy Landing Page
Celebrating Black generosity and a love of humanity
Arizona State University would not be the place it is today without the generosity of Black donors. Their work, past and present, has impacted countless lives and continues to do so. This year, ASU is participating in Black Philanthropy Month to honor their impact.
Although Black individuals are often depicted as recipients of aid and not as philanthropists, Black households are a leading force in giving that uplifts communities. Black Philanthropy Month was founded in 2011 to correct these misrepresentations, celebrating Black generosity and promoting equity in funding. Today, Black Philanthropy Month reaches 19 million people across 60 countries.
This August, we invite you to join us as we honor those who have given their time, talent and treasure to our communities and elevate the funds that support Black students, faculty and programs across ASU. We hope you enjoy hearing from the donors and leaders who have left their mark at ASU and beyond.
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.
Kira and Aaron Gatewood
Kira and Aaron Gatewood established the Gatewood NPHC Scholarship for Excellence, which supports for students enrolled in Barrett, the Honors College who are also members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Kira Gatewood is currently serving as the Assistant Dean of Students at the Tempe Campus within Educational Outreach and Student Services.
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.
"I think when it comes down to it, we both care very much about access, and we care very much about allowing people to have an opportunity."
– Dr. Kira Gatewood, Assistant Dean of Students, Educational Outreach and Student Services
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.
Funds that make a difference
This curated list highlights funds that support the excellence of Black students, the work of Black faculty and the influence of programs that strengthen our communities.
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.
African American Men of ASU
This fund supports the African American Men of ASU organization as it works to empower African American men attending ASU through the cultivation of art, culture and community.
African American Studies
This fund supports the African American Studies program within the School of Social Transformation in its mission to elevate cultural, artistic, historical, political and economic research.
African and African American Studies Book Scholarship
This scholarship works to ensure that full-time undergraduate students in the African and African American Studies program can access the materials they need throughout their education.
African and African American Studies Student Resource Center
This fund provides resources to students as they study the culture, arts, history, politics and economics of African Americans, Africans and the African Diaspora at large.
ASU Black African Coalition Student Scholar Fund
This scholarship supports students actively involved in the ASU Black African Coalition, which seeks to amplify Black voices and unify students of African descent.
ASU Black Alumni Chapter Scholarship
The ASU Black Alumni Chapter Scholarship helps offset the cost of books, tuition and fees for Black students entering the first year at Arizona State University.
Black Business Student Association
This account supports the W. P. Carey Black Business Students Association and its core values of providing students with a sense of community while advancing their careers.
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.
Center for the Study of Race and Democracy
This fund helps facilitate powerfully informed dialogues and transformative scholarship about issues related to race and democracy that directly support our Arizona State University students.
Cloves Campbell, Sr. Endowment for the Study of Race and Democracy
The Cloves Campbell, Sr. Endowment for the Study of Race and Democracy supports students studying ethnicity and race, justice studies, civil and human rights, and African and African American studies.
Dr. Morrison Fulbright Warren and Warren Family Memorial Scholarship
This fund honors the legacy of Dr. Morrison Fulbright Warren, a WWII veteran, ASU student-athlete, lifelong educator and community leader.
Gatewood NPHC Scholarship for Excellence
This fund supports students enrolled in Barrett, the Honors College who are also members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), a group of historically African American fraternities and sororities on Arizona State University’s campus.
Honorable Cecil B. Patterson, Jr. Scholarship Endowment
This endowment nurtures the next generation of transformative lawyers by supporting outstanding Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law students from underrepresented groups.
Inclusive Design for Equity and Access
The IDEA office serves as a promise from the Watts College community to infuse inclusion, equity and access in our work while actively critiquing our policies and practices towards achieving our aspirations.
Leanor Boulin Johnson African and African American Studies Founder’s Award Scholarship Endowment
The Leanor Boulin Johnson African and African American Studies Founder’s Award Scholarship Endowment supports rising full-time seniors currently enrolled in African and African American studies.
Legends Scholars Program
ASU's Barrett, The Honors College has partnered with the NFL and Sports Metric to provide personal development and scholarship support to Black, Indigenous and other underrepresented students of color in underserved Phoenix-area schools.
Mandela Washington Fellowship
This fellowship, the flagship program of the U.S. Government's Young African Leaders Initiative, provides young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa with the opportunity to hone their skills at a U.S. college or university with support for professional development after they return home.
National Society of Black Engineers
This fund supports the National Society of Black Engineers at ASU in its mission to help Black engineers excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.
Scholarship/Fellowship Account for African American Studies
This account provides scholarships and fellowships to undergraduate students in the African and African American Studies program within the School of Social Transformation.
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