Black Philanthropy Month & Eight28
August is Black Philanthropy Month.
This is a time to honor the legacy, power, and impact of giving in Black communities and to recognize how collective generosity fuels systemic change. August 28th holds deep significance for all communities. It marks the date of the 1963 March on Washington, the passing of the Slavery Abolition Act, the murder of Emmett Till, and Hurricane Katrina’s devastation. Each is a reminder of the intertwined struggles for justice, equity, and humanity.
For our Black and BIPOC youth, these moments are not just history. They are lived realities that continue to shape their futures. That is why Project VOYCE partners with young people to develop transformative leaders who are equitably engaged in their own growth and in shaping their communities. We know that before dismantling oppressive systems, youth must first understand how those systems were built and maintained.
At Project VOYCE, we believe deeply in our young people’s power to think critically, act boldly, and imagine a world that fully honors their humanity. It is a world not yet realized, but one they will help create. Your donations during Black Philanthropy Month amplify this mission, investing directly in the brilliance, leadership, and future of our youth.
You can make a direct impact today by joining the Eight28 movement and donating to Project VOYCE through this link: Join Colorado’s Eight28 Movement and selecting Project VOYCE. Every contribution supports our work with youth leaders and helps create lasting change in our communities.
August 28th, 1833 - Passing of Slavery Abolition Act
On August 28, 1833, the passing of the Slavery Abolition Act tore off the chains from over 800,000 Black bodies across the British Empire. It was a powerful spark in the ongoing fight for Black liberation—a fight that did not end but transformed, as new systems of oppression sought to silence our people.
The powerful image above was painted by South Carolina’s Lowcountry Gullah artist, Leroy Campbell, celebrated for his popular Neckbone series. While the message added to this piece is not part of his original work, it serves as a vital call to action for our youth—urging them to rise, speak, and carry forward the legacy of liberation.
At Project VOYCE, Black youth aren’t just leaders. Through deep mentorship, education, and the freedom of radical imagination, we equip them with the tools to rewrite their stories and reclaim their destinies.
August 28th, 1955 - Brutal Murder of Emmett Till
The photograph above of Mamie Till-Mobley—on her knees, screaming in soul-shattering anguish after the lynching of her 14-year-old son, Emmett Till, on August 28, 1955—is more than an image of grief. It is a call to action that reverberates through generations. Mamie’s courage to show the world her son’s mutilated body shattered the silence around racial violence and helped ignite the Civil Rights Movement.
Today, that same date, August 28th, fuels Project VOYCE’s mission: to equip and empower Black youth to lead, to speak truth to power, and to dismantle the systems that continue to endanger their lives and futures. By giving, you are not only honoring Emmett Till’s legacy—you are actively investing in the next generation of leaders who will ensure that his story is never repeated.
August 28, 1963 - MLK “I Have A Dream” Speech
On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood before a sea of hopeful faces and declared a dream—a vision of freedom, justice, and dignity for Black people and all oppressed communities. His words were more than a speech; they were a lifeline thrown across the chasms of hate, a bold demand that the world reckon with its failures and finally live up to its promise of equality.
But that dream has never been easily realized. It requires more than hope—it demands relentless courage, unyielding leadership, and the dismantling of barriers built to hold Black youth down.
At Project VOYCE, we live this truth every day. Leadership here is not a throne to be claimed, but a sacred responsibility to serve—to pour into our young people the knowledge, strength, and tools they need to shatter ceilings and rewrite their stories.
What if adults didn’t just invite us to the table, but actually pulled up a chair next to us?
“Too often, we’re told to wait our turn, to “gain more experience,” or to accept that things are just the way they are. But the truth is, we are the experts of our own experiences. We’re the ones walking through schools that are underfunded, navigating systems that weren’t built for us, and trying to survive in a world that doesn’t always see us, let alone hear us. And still, every day, we show up with ideas, with energy, and with a deep desire to change things not just for ourselves, but for everyone around us.
Catalyzing youth voice isn’t just about letting us speak, it’s about believing that what we say matters. It’s about investing in our leadership, backing our ideas with real resources, and walking alongside us as we work to address the issues impacting our lives.
We don’t need adults to save us, we need adults who believe in us enough to stand with us. When that happens, we don’t just imagine change, we make it real. And that’s the kind of world we’re trying to build.”