Roots Of Resilience Collective Newsletter: August
Black Philanthropy Month!
August is Black Philanthropy Month — a global celebration and campaign to elevate African-descent giving and funding equity. Founded in 2011 by Dr. Jackie Bouvier Copeland and the Pan-African Women’s Philanthropy Network, Black Philanthropy Month highlights the long history of generosity, community investment, and mutual aid in Black communities worldwide. It’s a time to honor this legacy, spark conversations about racial justice in philanthropy, and inspire action toward building a more equitable future. Keep reading to discover Black-led/supporting organizations you can support to help advance the cause!
Organizations You Can Support
Though we are currently working toward formal recognition as a nonprofit with the IRS, we are not a 501(c)(3) just yet. That won't stop us from uplifting the work of incredible Black-led and Black benefitting organizations as well as other organizations that support people of color in general. Though there are so many worthy causes and organizations, here are a few that our board and team felt we should mention. Be sure to remember them on Give 8/28 AKA Black Giving day for your support and donations!
NAACP
Ensures the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.
Be sure to find your local NAACP chapter today!
I Be Black Girl (IBBG)
A collective action organization that leads with boldness, innovation and inspiration, actively creating a radical change-making culture that centers Black women, femmes, and girls.
Learn more here: I Be Black Girl
Q.U.E.E.N.S Butterfly House
Queens Butterfly House is on a Quest to Understand, Educate, and Empower Noble Sistahs (the underserved, formerly incarcerated woman population) to thrive through family and child reunification, healthy relationships, collaborative, supportive housing, job readiness, and personal development to becoming the best version of themselves.
Learn more here: Q.U.E.E.N.S. Butterfly House
Malcom X Memorial Foundation
The Malcom X Memorial Foundation is focused on preserving the human rights legacy of Malcom X while prioritizing self-reliance and determination through radical movement building.
Learn more here: Malcom X Memorial Foundation
Mary J. Treglia Community House
Welcome and advocate on behalf of people new to our county and the Siouxland area by providing immigration, family, and education services.
Learn more here: Community House
👉🏾 Follow us on social media this month to learn how you can support Disability Pride.
Community Tool Highlights: Stay Informed
Recent federal changes are set to impact us all — but Black communities will feel the effects most deeply. Cuts to civil rights protections, DEI and accessibility efforts, Medicaid, healthcare, and SNAP will only compound the injustices many already face.
At Roots of Resilience, we won’t shy away from the truth: existing racial inequities, combined with these rollbacks, will lead to fewer supports and greater strain on Black families.
But knowledge is power. We've gathered tools and resources below to help you stay informed and prepared. Together, we can continue to advocate, protect, and build systems that truly serve our communities.
🏛 Executive Order Tracker by CBC Foundation
Stay up to date on federal policy changes that impact Black communities. This tool provides:
- Legal status of executive actions
- In-depth impact analysis
- Congressional Black Caucus responses
NY Times Interactive tool: “How Will Trump’s Big Bill Affect Your Wallet”
- Shows how the new tax code changes income taxes based on your income level and family structure
- Highlights how low- to middle-income households may see fewer benefits or increases in tax burden
- Helps estimate personal financial changes in real time based on your situation
KFF: Health Provisions in the 2025 Federal Budget Reconciliation Bill
- Tracks key proposed Medicaid cuts and their effects on low-income, elderly, and disabled populations
- Breaks down changes to home and community-based services (HCBS), affecting people who rely on in-home care
- Analyzes how communities will be disproportionately impacted by health policy rollbacks
Have a favorite resource or tool? Email us at [email protected]—we’d love to share it!
Our Board is FULL!
🚨 Please join us in welcoming our newest—and final—board members!
We’re thrilled to introduce Troy Perkins (Treasurer) and Schalisha Walker (At-Large) to the Roots of Resilience Collective board. A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who shared suggestions and helped us shape such an incredible team.
While our board is now complete, our work is ever-growing! We’re always seeking support—whether through fundraising, networking, or resource building. If you or someone you know is passionate about our mission, we’d love to connect. Email us at [email protected].
Building the Future of ROFRC
We’re planting the seeds for lasting change—carefully shaping the systems and supports that will help our work thrive. Here’s what we’ve been working on behind the scenes:
✅ Incorporation & Nonprofit Status
We’re excited to share that Roots of Resilience Collective is now officially registered as a business in the state of Iowa! 🎉
This is a huge milestone—and we’re just getting started. Please bear with us as we get everything in place to begin officially operating as a business. We have submitted our application to the IRS and are awaiting their decision!
📆 School Year Planning
We’re working on a calendar of events for the upcoming school year so we can connect with youth directly in schools. Our goal is to be present, consistent, and engaged—creating spaces where youth feel seen, supported, and empowered.
🤝 Community Partnerships
We’re building connections with local organizations in Siouxland (Iowa and Nebraska) to assess community needs and provide culturally responsive support. These trust-based relationships are key to everything we do.
📚 Program Development (In Progress!)
We’re developing a range of Afrocentric training and support programs that are grounded in cultural relevance and the wisdom of our communities. Our current and emerging focus areas include:
- Historical Trauma
- Empowering Black Youth in the Juvenile Justice System
- Child Welfare 101
Each offering is designed to honor lived experiences, center healing, and uplift Black families and youth.
We want our offerings to reflect real community needs—so if there’s a topic, training, or support you'd like to see, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Your voice helps shape this work!
📧 Email us: [email protected]
ROFRC in the Community
Once ROFRC officially receives nonprofit status, we can’t wait to get out into the community even more! We’re looking for events where we can connect, collaborate, and share our mission. Our goal? To meet fellow changemakers, spark new partnerships, and help fill the gaps where our work can make the biggest impact. If you see a space for us at your next event, let’s talk!
📧 Reach out to us at [email protected]
Stay Connected: Follow Us on Social Media!
We’re now active on Facebook AND LinkedIn!
Follow Roots of Resilience Collective to stay in the loop on:
- Updates on our latest programs and initiatives
- Opportunities to get involved and support the cause
- Celebrating Black excellence and culture
This month: Black Philanthropy Month
Next month: Suicide Prevention Month
Take Action with ROFRC
Three Ways to Support Black-Led & Black-Benefiting Nonprofits This Month
✔️ Give Directly – Donate to Black-led/benefitting organizations doing grassroots work in your community. Even small, consistent contributions help sustain vital programs and services.
✔️ Share Their Work – Use your platforms to spotlight Black-led/benefitting nonprofits, their events, and their impact. Word of mouth, social media shares, and personal recommendations amplify their reach.
✔️ Offer Your Skills & Network – Volunteer your expertise, connect them to funding opportunities, or introduce them to potential partners. Strengthening their capacity strengthens the whole community.
Every act of support—big or small—helps build lasting equity and opportunity. Let’s resource Black leadership and vision year-round, not just in August.
With gratitude,
The Roots of Resilience Collective Team