Lowcountry African American Giving Circle

10/03/2026

Whew!

Day One of 🌳 is in the books! And inspiring day that challenged us to think about giving and Philanthropy in the Black community differently and globally!

We were also reminded that this work is for the long game! AND that our ancestors and elders have left a blue print for reference but we should also meet today's challenges with audacious bold change (Sankofa).

Thanks to all the LAAGC members who showed up today to show our friends from other black philanthropic spaces what it feels like to feel welcomed.

10/02/2026

Thank you Councilman Aaron Polkey for welcoming our guests at ROOTED 2026 (CIN) to Charleston but specifically to district 4. The history you shared was both enriching and inspiring. The charge you gave as the conference continues was heard and received!

10/01/2026

Last night, the Lowcountry African American Giving Circle (LAAGC) hosted an intimate welcome reception for the leadership and planning team of the Community Investment Network (CIN) as they get ready to welcome attendees to here in Charleston. 🌿

We gathered at Palmetto Row Collective, the City of Charleston Entrepreneur Resource Center's only physical retail space. This retail incubator on King Street gives small, local and underrepresented businesses affordable access to one of downtown's major shopping corridors. It was the right setting to celebrate community, Black philanthropy and the power of investing in one another.

Thank you to the City of Charleston's Office of Small Business Enterprises and Ascue's Auto Body and Paint Shop for making this evening possible. 🙏🏾

ROOTED 2026 kicks off TONIGHT at the Francis Marion Hotel. That's three days of connection, learning and collective care. Charleston, let's show our guests what Lowcountry hospitality looks like! 💛

09/01/2026

As Black Philanthropy Month comes to a close, we are not done! LAAGC is excited that Charleston has been selected by the Community Investment Network as the host city for their 2026 ROOTED Conference. Black Philanthropic leaders and non profit organizations from across the East and Southeast will gather to learn more about the our culture, history and legacy of leadership. We hope you will be in the room!

📩 You asked. We listened.

Early registration deadline extended for Rooted 2026 through September 1.

The requests came from every corner of the network. Same early-bird rate. One more month. And a few names worth seeing before you decide.

🔸Darrin Goss - Coastal Community Foundation
🔸Susan Taylor Batten - ABFE | A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities
🔸Linetta Gilbert - Community Philanthropy Visionary

Charleston. October 1–3.
The Long Game starts now.

📌Link in Bio

08/30/2026

Yesterday we officially wrapped up our month of activities celebrating Black Philanthropy Month! We joined black philanthropists around the world in this annual recognition of, "taking collective care of and supporting our own communities". This year's theme Many Voices, One Movement underscores the reality that the rich history and traditions of our supporting of one another, requires us all.

As August came to a close, we gathered with members of LAAGC to reflect on our accomplishments as a giving circle. We raised money to continue to do the work, and heard stories of the impact we are making in the Lowcountry. We also honored the visionary leaders who brought us all together, Dr. Kenneth and Ms Priscilla Robinson.

What continues to ring true as we round out our 4th year as a giving circle is this: Black philanthropy in practice in our communities undergirds our resilience, resistance, and survival. We must continue sharing our treasure, time and talent in service of our own. We are who and what we need.

08/18/2026

Black Philanthropy month celebration continues this week!

Building Bridges Together will bring together educators, students, community leaders, advocates,
and community members to explore how philanthropy, leadership, advocacy, and collective action can help close achievement gaps and create stronger pathways to opportunity.

At the center of the conversation is a simple premise: our greatest asset is our collective power — the ability of individuals, families, institutions, and communities to work together to influence and improve educational outcomes.

Through diverse perspectives and community conversation, the evening will explore how
the Lowcountry can build upon the assets, leadership, knowledge, and resources already present within the community to strengthen educational sovereignty and help ensure future generations have the opportunity to thrive.

The Lowcountry African American Giving Circle (LAAGC) invites the community to attend Building Bridges Together: Bridging Gaps. Building Oneness.
Advancing Educational Sovereignty on Thursday, August 20, as part of its 2026 Black
Philanthropy Month celebration.

The event, part of LAAGC’s Assets. Excellence. Leadership. (AEL) Series, will take place
from 5:30–8:00 p.m. at ECPI University.

08/14/2026

On Friday August 7th, the Lowcountry African American Giving Circle kicked off Black Philanthropy Month with CALLED BACK: A Beenya Homecoming, celebrating and highlighting African American young professionals from the region who have felt called back home to do their part in building, supporting and serving the communities that raised them.

Thank you to Steinberg Law Firm for being the sponsor. It was an absolute pleasure to partner with The Washington Cafe, DJ Norway and the International African American Museum.

Black Philanthropy month is a global movement of Black philanthropists, community partners and organizations celebrating the legacy of deep care for our own community.

This year's theme is Many Voices, One Movement. Highlighting that we are all called to do our part!

There is still time to join us for an event. Next Thursday August 20th we will be at ECPI University at 5:30 for Building Bridges, Closing Gaps in Education! Interested in attending, inbox us or leave a comment.

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08/10/2026

📸 Odisi Media

A Beenya Homecoming Friday August 7th (RECAP)

The photos are back, and they capture exactly what we felt at The Washington Cafe as we kicked off Black Philanthropy Month 2026: Many Voices. One Movement.

A Beenya Homecoming was more than a gathering. It was a reminder of what happens when we create space for people to come home, connect, share what they’ve learned, and pour back into the community that helped shape them.

What made the evening especially powerful was the leadership of our young professionals. They created a space where people could **share and pour in equal measure offering their experiences, perspectives, connections, and commitment to what comes next for the Lowcountry.

And throughout the room, generations came together. Those who have been carrying the work. Those stepping forward to lead it.

A special thank you to Erica Bias, our moderator, for setting the tone for an authentic and meaningful conversation.

We are also grateful to Steinberg Law Firm, our event sponsor, for investing in this gathering and in the spirit of Black philanthropy. Thank you to DJ Norway for creating the soundtrack for the evening and to Peter and The Washington Cafe for welcoming us into a space that felt like home.

This is what Many Voices. One Movement. looks like.

Different generations. Different journeys. Different ways of giving.

One community choosing to invest in itself.

And we’re just getting started. ❤️💚🖤

08/03/2026

Did You Know?

Black philanthropy didn't begin with millionaires or foundations. It began with people who understood that caring for one another was essential to survival—and that legacy continues today.

Throughout history, Black communities have pooled resources, built institutions, cared for neighbors, and invested in future generations. Black philanthropy has always been about more than money. It's about time, talent, treasure, trust, and collective responsibility.

As we celebrate Black Philanthropy Month, we're sharing a few facts that remind us this movement is deeply rooted in our history and just as relevant today.

👉 Swipe through to learn more, then tell us: Which fact surprised you the most?

Together, we're proving that many voices become one movement and every act of generosity helps shape the future.

07/28/2026

This is what Black philanthropy looks like.

The Lowcountry African American Giving Circle is proud to announce our 2026 Community Grant Recipients.

This year, we reached a historic milestone by awarding two $10,000 grants—investing $20,000 into organizations creating meaningful change across the Lowcountry.

🎉 2026 Grant Recipients

🤝 Charleston Area Justice Ministry (CAJM) received the Social Justice Grant to strengthen grassroots leadership, expand civic engagement, and equip community leaders to advocate for equitable public policies.

💚 I AM VOICES, Inc. received the Economic Empowerment Grant to expand transportation and case management services for survivors of human trafficking and sexual violence, helping remove barriers to employment, education, and long-term economic stability.

Every grant we award is made possible through the collective generosity of people who believe in investing in Black communities. When individuals choose to give, join, and lead with us, those dollars become opportunities, resources, and lasting impact right here in the Lowcountry.

These grants are more than awards. They are investments in organizations doing the work every day to build stronger, healthier, and more equitable communities.

Thank you to everyone who continues to invest in this vision. If you've ever wondered what your support makes possible, this is it.

🖤❤️💚 Your Giving. Their Impact. Our Community.