Black Alphabet NFP, an arts-focused nonprofit organization advocating on behalf of the Black LGBTQ+ community, announced today it has been selected by the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance (MBK Alliance), a program of the Obama Foundation, to receive $30,000 in funding as part of Chicago’s $1M Freedom Summer 2023 grant program.
Black Alphabet is an arts-focused nonprofit with wellness at the core of its programming, which is designed to create and spread awareness of issues uniquely or disproportionately impacting the Black LGBTQ+ community.
Black Alphabet will use the new grant to fund an Arts and Wellness Empowerment retreat, connecting LGBTQ African American men, aged 18-25, with the arts this summer. The retreat will take place August 17-21, 2023 and include art therapy, hands-on art projects, and more.
The Freedom Summer grant program aims to support local organizations that are working to reduce summer violence in Chicago communities by creating and expanding spaces and programming where boys and young men of color can safely learn, play, and engage. The My Brother’s Keeper Alliance’s investment, coupled with its dedicated training and programmatic support efforts, will build safer and more supportive communities for Chicago’s boys and young men of color, where they feel empowered and are inspired to reach their full potential.
“We are humbled by the support from the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance,” said Adam McMath, Executive Director, Black Alphabet. “At our core, Black Alphabet strives to serve as a beacon of hope for young LGBTQ people in Chicago and around the world. This grant will help us expand our reach and continue our mission this summer.”
The work of the MBK Alliance is rooted in six key life milestones that research shows are especially predictive of later success, and where interventions can have the greatest impact. The Freedom Summer grant program is anchored to the MBK Alliance’s sixth milestone: all youth should remain safe from violent crime. Each Freedom Summer grant recipient received a $30,000 grant for their commitment to creating safe and engaging spaces for youth. All recipients demonstrated that their programming will have a potentially lifesaving impact on boys and young men of color this summer.
“We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the Freedom Summer 2023 grant program,” said Dr. Adren Wilson, MBK Alliance Executive Director. “These organizations are actively spearheading the creation of safe and inclusive spaces for boys and young men of color to thrive. The MBK Alliance’s investment and comprehensive support of each and every one of these organizations will create spaces where our youth not only feel valued, but also gain access to abundant pathways of opportunity. Together, we will forge a lasting impact and shape a brighter future for our youth.”
About Post Author
