As our nation approaches its 250th year, we reflect on our history and continue to stand by the Black community on Juneteenth.
This is the seventh year of the Gobioff Foundation’s Juneteenth grant-making. The program started initially as a reaction to the horrible murder of George Floyd and a way to acknowledge the accountability we had as philanthropists in a system that continues to marginalize the Black community. In 2021, we announced that every year on Juneteenth, we would highlight 5 organizations to receive $20,000 in the form of an unrestricted grant from the Gobioff Foundation.
This year, as we prepare to celebrate our country’s 250th anniversary, we are reflecting deeply on the reality of our history. It is incredibly important to recognize that much of the foundational wealth and infrastructure of our nation was built upon the stolen labor and lives of Black people. Many of the efforts to reconcile and repair the damage of our past continue to come under attack. Leaders of our nation have decided to criminalize equity and protect those who use hate speech. Commemorating Juneteenth requires us to acknowledge our painful history and actively resist those trying to dismantle equity today.
As the world shifts, it becomes even more urgent that we as a country speak out and stand up against systemic racism. We must be present, we must listen, and we must act. Be more than an ally; be an accomplice. Demand justice. Not just on Juneteenth, but every day, Black Lives Matter.
Neil Gobioff
President, Gobioff Foundation
We welcome any feedback surrounding our Juneteenth program. If you have an organization you’d like us to consider in future years, please share it with us at juneteenth@gobioff-foundation.org.
The five organizations receiving $20,000 unrestricted grants from the Gobioff Foundation this year are:
Black Film Space
“Black Film Space is a non profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to enhancing the careers of Black filmmakers through skill enhancing and community building programming. We are a collective of directors, screenwriters, producers, cinematographers, actors and other media makers that want to develop genuine connections and grow with fellow Black creatives.”
The Black Cemetery Network
“The Black Cemetery Network [BCN] was founded in response to the national call to action to raise awareness about the issue of erasure and silencing of black cemeteries throughout the U.S. These cemeteries contain stories about people, place, and families which are often missing from the larger public narrative. Our network connects living records of forgotten histories through research, advocacy, and collaboration.”
Brave Space Alliance
“The mission of this Brave Space…
Brave Space Alliance (BSA) is an LGBTQ+ focused community center on Chicago’s South Side that welcomes and serves all who come through our doors. We strive to empower, embolden, and educate each other through mutual aid, knowledge-sharing, and the creation of community-sourced resources as we build a world of liberty and justice for all.”
Black AIDS Institute
“BAI is the only uniquely and unapologetically Black HIV think and do tank in America. We believe in complete freedom for Black people by eradicating systematic oppression so that we can live long, healthy lives. Our decisions, responses, programming, and messaging are informed by our roots, and by our core values of Black Empowerment, Equity, Impact, Self-Determination, and Integrity.”