The Black Fund: A Catalyst for Change
In collaboration with donors, local nonprofits, and community leaders, Austin Community Foundation (ACF) has proudly supported The Black Fund since its inception in 2020. In the two years since the Fund was officially launched in 2022, it has granted $855,000 to 46 local Black-led and Black-serving organizations doing critical work in Central Texas. Read on to learn about three of The Black Fund’s grant partners and their impact on our community.
Delivering Unto You Creates a Village of Love
Delivering Unto You (DUY) is on a mission to transform the maternity care landscape for Black families in Austin. Founded in 2018, DUY provides a safe and empowering environment for pregnancy and birth through midwifery care, prenatal and postpartum support, and financial resources. The organization was established to address the critical issue of maternal healthcare disparities, particularly the lack of access to quality care for Black women, who often face significant barriers in the healthcare system. Since its inception, DUY has supported more than 100 births, providing compassionate care to those who otherwise would not have access.
In 2023, DUY received a $40,000 grant from The Black Fund to advance its work. The contribution enabled DUY to help pregnant people facing significant challenges, like a recent client who moved to Texas and was unaware of the state’s complex Medicaid application process. DUY stepped in to cover the costs of essential ultrasounds and lab work throughout her pregnancy and connect her to additional resources. Despite facing food disparities and medical issues that precluded a hospital birth, DUY played a crucial role in planning her induction, resulting in the delivery of a healthy baby girl.
Another DUY client was referred to the organization when she was six months pregnant. Before connecting with DUY, she had received no prenatal care. In addition to lacking insurance, she faced significant financial constraints and was living out of a motel with her four children. Through grants like the one received from The Black Fund, DUY was able to ensure she received the care she needed.
Delivering Unto You stands as a beacon of hope and support, ensuring that every family has access to quality maternity care, regardless of their background or circumstances. Through education, advocacy, and comprehensive care, DUY is reshaping the narrative around maternal health for families of color in Austin.
The Bakari Foundation: Transformative Impact Through Education and Healing
In 2017, Phil and Jill Henderson faced an unimaginable tragedy when they lost their beloved son, Bakari. Determined to honor his memory and continue his legacy, they established The Bakari Foundation. Since its inception, the Foundation has been driven by a powerful mission: to turn pain into purpose. Through their dedicated efforts, The Bakari Foundation has touched countless lives and offered opportunities for healing and growth.
One core aspect of the Foundation’s work is transformative healing retreats for families who have suffered the devastating loss of loved ones due to violence. These retreats offer a space for grieving families to find solace, support, and pathways to renewal, addressing the often-overlooked mental health area of trauma grief. By highlighting these critical issues, The Bakari Foundation brings attention and care to those who need it most.
Inspired by Bakari’s educational achievements and drive to build a business empire, the Foundation also provides financial literacy and entrepreneurship programs tailored for underrepresented students. In the past three years, the program has reached more than 2,000 students across the Austin Independent School District (AISD). Several high school students have also had the opportunity to participate in their paid summer internship programs. Recently, the Foundation awarded scholarships to two AISD students for their pursuit of a college education and to two students for international immersion experiences.
Thanks to a $25,000 grant from The Black Fund, the Foundation plans to expand its programming beyond AISD to community youth programs, such as the YMCA and other Austin schools. These collaborations aim to create new opportunities for youth in different areas, ensuring more students have access to the knowledge, skills, and training needed to break down barriers and navigate their futures successfully.
Through their multifaceted approach, The Bakari Foundation not only provides immediate relief and support but also lays the groundwork for long-lasting empowerment and resilience. Their work exemplifies how tragedy can be transformed into a force for good, fostering hope and opportunity for all.
AUTMHQ Paves the Way for Diversity in Tech
Austin is well-known for being a global tech hub, attracting major employers and creating an abundance of jobs. However, significant disparities remain in who fills and stays engaged in those roles. Austin Urban Technology Movement (AUTMHQ) aims to change that by building an inclusive tech ecosystem for all. Since its official launch in 2019, the organization has been laser-focused on bridging the gap between Black and Hispanic communities and the tech industry.
AUTMHQ recognizes that increasing the representation of Black and Hispanic individuals in tech and providing resources to help them stay and grow in the field is a direct pathway to wealth building for those communities. While the average salary of a tech worker is $145,000, the median income for Black and Hispanic workers trails significantly behind their white and Asian counterparts. In addition to job placement resources, internships, and apprenticeships, AUTMHQ provides training, mentorship, networking, and community service opportunities designed to help tech workers advance their careers and become leaders in their field. In 2023, AUTMHQ received a $40,000 multi-year grant from The Black Fund to help close the wealth gap by providing skills-based training and connections to lucrative tech jobs.
At the heart of AUTMHQ’s mission are its community members, known as “Autmites.” In the past year, AUTMHQ helped place 265 Autmites into tech roles, awarded 185 tech certifications, and provided digital equity resources to 117 individuals. Autmite Keziah Liburd shared, “I don’t know if I would have found my way to the tech space without AUTMHQ. This program allowed me to take my curiosity about UX design and turn it into a potential career.”
With the support of a growing network of committed partners, AUTMHQ is removing barriers for underrepresented communities and ensuring they are prepared for the jobs of today and tomorrow, driving change in both the tech industry and the lives of those they serve.
Driving Positive Impact and Systemic Change
By supporting organizations like DUY, The Bakari Foundation, and AUTMHQ, The Black Fund has demonstrated its commitment to uplifting the work of organizations addressing critical needs and empowering underrepresented communities. Through grants and unwavering support, it fosters a more equitable future and a lasting impact for all Central Texans. Learn more about The Black Fund and how to support it.