Houston Endowment Has Awarded $20 Million To Local Organizations Working To Achieve Racial Equity And Social Justice In Houston
Style Magazine Newswire | 2/5/2021, 11:28 a.m.
Houston Endowment today announced an infu- sion of $20 million into 55 local organizations working to achieve racial equity and social justice in Houston. As part of Houston Endowment’s commitment to enacting tangible actions in this work, the investment intends to support organizations ad- dressing anti-Black racism and systemic injustices across five areas:
• Policy & Advocacy: Local grassroots orga- nizations, community-centered researchers, and local academic institutions addressing systems-level issues disproportionately im- pacting Black communities.
• Strong Communities: Collaborative, community-based organizations focused on connecting residents to services; confronting racism and other forms of hate, and neighbor- hood-level change for Black communities.
• Arts, Culture, and History: Black historical, cultural, and civic institutions that have a longstanding relationship with the Black Community across the Houston region.
• Education: Organizations that center Black youth in their design and programming are actively participating in collaborative community-wide efforts.
• Strong Families and Children: Organizations providing support to ensure a strong social safety net for children and their families.
“All Houstonians should have the opportunity to thrive, and we recognize that it will require longterm commitment to achieve the anti-racist society we envision,” said Ann Stern, CEO & President. “With this initial round of grants, we hope to amplify Black voices in the community and provide needed resources to organizations that are carrying out this work today.” Organizations receiving funds include both existing partners and those identified by Houston Endowment through Black leaders, organizers and advocates who have earned the trust of the communities they serve. With these funds, Houston Endowment seeks to honor, recognize, and support historic Black institutions that have served as landmarks in the struggle for Black liberation, while also supporting new and emerging Black voices that will deepen Houstonians’ understanding of the issues facing Black communities.
“Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the nation, yet the on the groundwork in many commu- nities of color is a daily struggle, especially for those in African American spaces. Nevertheless, we cannot create equity or create a just society without allyship and equal access to resources. This support and the investment being made in Black-led organizations signifies a new day and is a path in the right direction toward real change,” said Tanya Debose, Executive Director of Preserving Communities of Color and Independence Heights Redevelopment Council.
“Change will only come when we truly hear each other’s voices. We are inspired by the work these extraordinary organizations and leaders do every day to enact meaningful change and better our community,” added Stern.
Organizations awarded Arts, Culture & History
Blue Triangle Community Center
Buffalo Soldiers National Museum
Community Artists’ Collective
Community Music Center of Houston
Convict Leasing and Labor Project
Emancipation Park Conservancy
Ensemble Theatre
Freedmen’s Town Preservation Coalition
Houston Freedmen’s Town Conservancy
Houston Museum of African American Culture
Independence Heights Redevelopment Council
Project Row Houses
Texas Southern University (University Museum)
Education
Color of Life Community Resource & Activity Center
Houston Guided Pathways to Success (Equity in HigherEducationInitiative)
HYPEFreedomSchool,Inc.
Mufasa’s Pride Rites of Passage
Prairie View A&M College of Education
Urban Enrichment Institute
Policy and Advocacy
Black LGBTQIA+ Migrant Project
BLM HTX
Center for Civic & Public Policy Improvement Harris County
Youth Collective (Launch of a Youth-led Organizing Entity)
Houston Area Urban League Houston Organizing Movement for Equity
(HOME) Coalition
Institute of Engagement
Pure Justice
Sankofa Research Institute
Texas Southern University (Center for Justice Research, Dr. Robert. B. Bullard Center for Environmental Justice, Earl Carl Institute for Legal & Social Policy, Inc.)
Strong Communities
Achieving Community Tasks Successfully
Center for the Healing of Racism
Change Happens
Coalition of Community Organizations
Communities for Better Health
Complete Communities
East Harris County Empowerment Council
Emancipation Economic Development Council
Fifth Ward CRC
Harvest CDC
Houston Coalition Against Hate
Julia C. Hester House
Neighborhood Recovery Community Development Corporation
Northeast Houston Redevelopment Council
Preserving Communities of Color
SHAPE Community Center
South Union CDC
Sunnyside Community Redevelopment Organization
Tamina Community Center
Strong Families and Children
8 Million Stories
Collaborative for Children (Support for Centers of Excellence in Historically Black Neighborhoods)
Monarch Family Services
Shades of Blue Project
About Houston Endowment
Established in 1937, Houston Endowment ad- vances equity of opportunity for the people of Greater Houston and enhances the vibrancy of our community so that our region and its people thrive. In 2020, the Endowment will grant more than $80 million to the area in support of our community and advancing our mission.