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Faith Leaders 4min read

Black History Month: Celebrating African American Philanthropy

Celebrating African American Philanthropy

Whether from amassing a large fortune or saving nickels and dimes, African Americans have a tremendous legacy of philanthropy in the United States. In our celebration of Black History Month, we’re celebrating African American philanthropy.

Today, we are honoring the selflessness and generosity of a few distinguished citizens. As we move philanthropy into the future, the legacy of people like those included here must be recognized and appreciated.

Celebrating African American Philanthropy: Oseola McCarty (1908-1999)

When celebrating African American philanthropy, it’s hard not to mention Oseola McCarty. She is perhaps the most famous example of turning frugality into philanthropy. A lifelong washerwoman in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, she received worldwide notoriety in 1995. An unlikely hero, news revealed that she had set up a trust through which a portion of her life savings would be left to The University of Southern Mississippi. The trust was dedicated to helping primarily African American students in need of financial assistance.

McCarty was very frugal, not subscribing to any newspapers or ever owning a car. She received rides from friends to attend Friendship Baptist Church. She planned her savings using dimes—one dime for her church, one dime for relatives, and 60 cents for the University. By the time she died, her endowment to the University was estimated at $150,000.

In the years prior to her death she was awarded an honorary degree from USM, a Presidential Citizens Medal, and an honorary doctorate from Harvard University.

 George Ramsey (1889-1963)

The unofficial “Black Mayor of San Diego,” George Ramsey built an empire of business, entertainment, and philanthropy. He came from humble beginnings – Ramsey time spent as a stowaway and hobo. Despite his early misfortunes, Ramsey managed bars, hotels, and boarding houses that served a primarily African American clientele.

His Douglas Hotel and the Creole Palace nightclub brought him the most success and led to it being dubbed the “Harlem of the West.”  High-profile figures like Joe Louis, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Dinah Washington frequented these famous establishments.

Ramsey’s influence extended far beyond entertainment, he was:

  • A 33rd degree Mason and Shriner
  • A member of the NAACP
  • President of the San Diego Negro Taxpayer’s League
  • He was a major fundraiser for Bethel Baptist Church

Biddy Mason (1818-1891)

Bridget “Biddy” Mason was born a slave in Georgia and went on to become one of the first African Americans to purchase land in the city of Los Angeles. She was given as a present to Robert Smith of the Mormon church and taken to California, where she and Smith’s other slaves were eventually freed by a Los Angeles Court.

Working as a nurse and midwife Mason was able to save nearly $300,000, which she used to establish an elementary school for black children and provide food and shelter for the poor. She was a founding member of the city’s first black church, the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles, and donated land she had purchased where the church was built.

John H. Johnson (1918-2005)

John H. Johnson was the founder of the Johnson Publishing Company, which produced both Ebony and Jet magazines. He was born the grandson of slaves, his family relocated to Chicago where they relied on welfare for two years.

While attending the University of Chicago on scholarship, he formulated the idea of a publication for African Americans in the style of Reader’s Digest. A $500 loan from his mother enabled Johnson to start Negro Digest, later renamed Black World. It was his subsequent publications including Ebony and Jet that generated his fortune and prominence.

The traveling fashion show Ebony Fashion Fair has generated over $47 million in donations to charity, and Johnson contributed $4 million to endow a chair in entrepreneurship at Howard University. He was the first African American to be named to the Forbes list of 400 wealthiest Americans.

Not Just a Month.

Givelify is dedicated to celebrating the many long-lasting impacts African Americans have had, year-round.

For more resources on how Givelify celebrates African American history, check out our multi-part series, The Black Church and Black History in America.

About the Author

Matt is dedicated to making the world a better place. He works passionately to help charitable causes use mobile technology to raise the funds they need. In addition to his role at Givelify, he volunteers with the Southside Animal Shelter and Kentuckiana Pug Rescue.

Matt Chandler