Purpose in Action: Black History Month
In honor of Black history month we are proud to highlight clients that celebrate and honor the achievements, history, and contributions of Black communities. These clients promote racial equity, provide services and opportunities for Black individuals and families, and collectively preserve Black heritage.
Read below to learn more about organizations that are uplifting Black communities: L.E.A.D. Center for Youth, Farm Alliance of Baltimore, National Black Arts Festival, and Project South.
L.E.A.D. Center For Youth
leadcenterforyouth.org
Location: Atlanta, GA
Mission: To empower an at-risk generation to lead and transform their city of Atlanta by using the sports of baseball and tennis to teach Black youth how to overcome three curveballs that threaten their success: crime, poverty and racism.
Consultant: Adi Bates
The Work: Purpose Possible is proud of our multi-year communications work with L.E.A.D. Center For Youth. The organization is dedicated to transforming the lives of Black youth in Atlanta through sports-based youth development (SBYD) and focuses on empowering young people to overcome systemic challenges by fostering leadership, mentorship, and academic success. By integrating athletics with life skills, L.E.A.D. equips youth with the tools to lead in their communities and excel, breaking down barriers and creating lasting change.
“Collaborating with the L.E.A.D. Center For Youth over the past three years has been a privilege. They were one of the first clients I worked with when I joined Purpose Possible, and our partnership has only strengthened since then. Kelli and CJ Stewart, the founders of L.E.A.D., are deeply committed to the mission of their organization, and I’ve had the opportunity to work with them to communicate that mission and the work they do.
Through social media, graphic design, fundraising collaboration, newsletters, strategic marketing, and more, I’ve had the chance to witness and amplify the evolving and innovative impact L.E.A.D. has had on hundreds of Black youth in Atlanta since 2007. Their Sport-Based Youth Development (SBYD) programs not only transform the lives of student-athletes locally but also work to break racial barriers across Georgia and beyond. Whether through Atlanta Public School baseball and tennis programming, the Barnstorming Tour, community service activities, coach/mentor development, or the Safe At Home Game—where L.E.A.D. alumni and law enforcement officers play a baseball game together—L.E.A.D. is an MVP organization making multi-generational change in youth, adults, cities, and communities.”
Farm Alliance of Baltimore
Location: Baltimore, MD
Mission: The Farm Alliance of Baltimore is a membership organization of urban farms, neighborhood growers, and friends. They use connection, resource sharing, and collective advocacy with respect to food, land, and water to expand communities' self-determination and power.
Consultants: Kayla Gilchrist, Maryellen Grant
The Work: Purpose Possible is proud to collaborate with the Farm Alliance of Baltimore. Since December of 2023, we’ve supported the organization in enhancing its fundraising strategies, particularly institutional giving. Additionally, Purpose Possible has facilitated a staff retreat and provided executive coaching. We are honored to contribute to their mission of enhancing urban agriculture in the City of Baltimore.
“I’ve had the delightful experience of supporting the Farm Alliance of Baltimore team in their fundraising efforts through institutional giving. It is a true joy to collaborate with Denzel and his dedicated team. Denzel is a rare combination of a charismatic, visionary leader who understands the daily tasks required to implement a successful program. Through our collaboration, we identified key funding opportunities, strengthened their case for support, and refined their messaging to highlight the incredible impact they are making among urban growers in Baltimore. Their commitment to food justice, equity, and community-driven solutions made the grant writing process deeply rewarding. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success!”
“Our long-standing working relationship with the Farm Alliance of Baltimore has both been a genuinely purposeful way to invest into our regional community and a joyful learning experience for how deeply we are all impacted by local farmers’ ability to thrive. Their entire staff’s dedication and passion makes our support of their work - whether through coaching, facilitation of staff spaces, or fundraising - deeply meaningful. Our team meetings are always a space for both strategy and laughter and I can’t wait to continue this impactful work together!”
National Black Arts Festival
Mission: To expose, educate, engage, and entertain audiences by presenting and supporting the art and artists of African descent.
Consultants: Saskia Benjamin, Erin Nelson, Emily Llamazales
The Work: NBAF is recognized as the oldest multidisciplinary arts organization in the United States focused exclusively on the art and artists of African descent. In 2008, the United States Congress recognized NBAF for its importance to the “cultural fabric of greater Atlanta and all of America.” Through its annual public programs, world-class performances, commissioned works, arts education and public programs, NBAF offers audiences experiences that are extraordinary and enriching. Purpose Possible collaborates with NBAF through fundraising and grant management to help support their ongoing work.
“It is a delight to support the wonderful work of NBAF, an organization that centers and uplifts art and artists of African descent through education, programming, and celebration. In my role I manage their individual giving database. I am inspired by their community of support for public programming like the annual Fine Arts + Fashion, a unique benefit that brings together artists and designers in support of NBAF’s youth arts education programs in Atlanta Public Schools.”
“While I am new to working with NBAF, the good work of the organization is not new to me. It is a privilege to work closely with Stephanie Owens, NBAF’s Executive Director, to help her craft and implement a major donor program to not only help sustain NBAF’s existing programs but also to help grow organizational capacity. Having been a former Executive Director myself, I know that leading an organization can be a lonely endeavor at times and I relish the opportunity to be a sounding board and thought partner to Stephanie as she deftly leads NBAF in these uncertain times.”
“It has been a privilege to serve such a legendary arts organization with nearly four decades of history. NBAF exemplifies the significance of Atlanta as a Black cultural epicenter. Their work across artistic mediums both celebrates the important work artists in the city, while also investing in the next generation of cultural leaders through k-12 school programs. Working as a grant-writer for NBAF is a joy because their programs have such a clear alignment with their mission—a mission that is more crucial than ever in the current climate in the United States.”
Project South
Location: Atlanta, GA
Mission: To cultivate strong social movements in the South powerful enough to contend with some of the most pressing and complicated social, economic, and political problems we face today.
Consultants: Betsy Oliver, Taryn Janelle, Natalia Garzón Martínez
The Work: Project South organizes locally in their South Atlanta neighborhood to defend against the effects of gentrification, structural racism and other forms of oppression while building grassroots resident and youth power. Purpose Possible assisted their feasibility study for the Brownsville Futures Project, which aims to create a community-based, movement building campus that reverberates the past, present and future of our historical traditions and liberation dreams.
“My time with Project South was deeply rewarding. Engaging with their passionate team and stakeholders revealed not only their profound knowledge and dedication, but also the visionary leadership driving their impactful work. It was inspiring to witness firsthand the positive change they ignite within the communities they serve.”
“Working with Project South was a true honor for me. The depth and intention with which they have built the organization is admirable, and my time with them solidified my belief in the organizing work they are doing to build resilience, sustainability, and power for Black communities in South Atlanta.”
