Embracing Juneteenth: Reflections on Equity, Justice, and Anti-Racist Philanthropy

June 18, 2024 – Kellie Brown, Senior Program Officer at the William Penn Foundation, and Co-Chair of ECFC’s Racial Equity Workgroup, shared insightful words that illuminate the profound significance Juneteenth.  Her call to action for philanthropic leaders to dismantle systemic barriers and ensure inclusivity resonates deeply in our current landscape. Thank you, Kellie, for your unwavering dedication and thoughtful leadership.  

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As a Black woman serving as a Program Officer in philanthropy, Juneteenth holds profound significance for me personally and professionally. Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. While Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863, it wasn’t until two and a half years later (June 19, 1865), that enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom.

Reflecting on Juneteenth evokes a complex mix of emotions; pride in the resilience of my ancestors, and sorrow for the atrocities endured, and a deep sense of responsibility to honor their struggle. As a Program Officer, I feel that it is my personal duty to advance equity and justice in philanthropy. Similar to the Black Americans who resided in Galveston, I am keenly aware that there are still far too many of us who “didn’t get the memo” that we have a right to attain opportunities for advancement. More specifically, there are some of us who are unaware of the history of wealth establishment in America and feel unworthy of charitable giving. Having a platform like ECFC, has given me the opportunity to learn alongside colleagues about the ways in which philanthropy can and should take a reparative stance in the pursuit of justice for all Americans.

Celebrating Juneteenth this year, with the Supreme Court ruling against race-conscious affirmative action in higher education admission in our rearview, is a reminder of the importance of this work. Shifting the trajectory of Black children who are equally as deserving of positive early life experiences and an optimistic path forward is crucial. The awareness that the doors of Black-focused opportunity are being forced shut by oppressors, at any level, means that we, as funders, must be courageous in distressed times. As I stand on the shoulders of my ancestor and Social Justice Warrior, Sister Harriet Tubman, I am equally as aware that my fight is not nearly as brutal as that of the abolitionists of her time or the Freedom Riders of the civil rights era. Juneteenth serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing journey towards true freedom, justice and equality.

Anti-racist philanthropic practices are powerful tools that push us closer to our ancestors’ aspirations. It is imperative that our work extend beyond diversity statements and unsustainable programming. It requires a deliberate commitment to dismantling systemic barriers that perpetuate inequality.

To my peer funders, let’s take this Juneteenth to critically examine our practices, ensuring they reflect values of inclusivity and shift power and opportunity to ensure true liberty and justice for ALL.

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Kellie Brown serves as co-chair of the ECFC Racial Equity Workgroup.

Learn more about ECFC’s Racial Equity Work.