Aug. 28 is a significant day.

On Aug. 28, 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till, a Black boy from Chicago, was brutally murdered by three white men, provoking outrage and activism in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his timeless “I Have A Dream” speech in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 28, 1963.

On Aug. 28, 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, La., significantly impacting neighborhoods that housed a large number of the city’s Black residents.

In 2008, Barack Obama accepted the Democratic nomination for president on Aug. 28, which made him the first Black man to ever win the nomination and bid for presidency.

This year, Aug. 28, 2021, marks the Young, Black & Giving Back Institute’s fourth year promoting financial giving for Black community-focused nonprofits through the annual “Give 8/28” Day.

Give 8/28 Day encourages giving back to grassroots, Black-led and Black-benefitting nonprofit organizations, leveraging online fundraising tools to engage philanthropists around causes they’re passionate about.

As part of its Strategic Plan to realize just, equitable and resilient communities, The San Diego Foundation advances social and racial justice by supporting programs that seek to eradicate systemic discrimination and increase access to resources for San Diegans facing barriers to realizing full and healthy lives. To participate in this nationwide giving day, The Foundation has amplified nonprofit partners right here in San Diego County that provide myriad supportive services and lift up the Black community and beyond. This list is intended to raise awareness and inspire donors to give to these local organizations on 8/28 and year-round.

Community Development

Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation is an operating foundation committed to the premise that residents must own and drive the change that takes place in their community for it to be meaningful and long lasting. Areas of focus include real estate development, economic development and community engagement.

Logan Heights CDC serves its community by supporting residents and businesses in Greater Logan Heights neighborhoods, and implementing tangible, sustainable solutions that can improve lives for the better through preschool programming, financial advancement, small business development, community health and engagement.

Neighborhood House Association community programs range from early childhood education and youth development to mental health services, senior services and more. These programs work together to form the agency’s Continuum of Care Model, a service-delivery model that begins at the prenatal stages of life, includes wraparound services for the entire family, and continues all the way to senior care.

Paving Great Futures transforms misguided youth and adults into productive and empowered community leaders capable of guiding relevant and lasting change through comprehensive work experience programs that include its six core competencies: Financial Literacy, Responsible Life Skills, Community Service, Entrepreneurship, Job Readiness and Civic Engagement.

RISE San Diego elevates and advances urban leadership through dialogue-based civic engagement, dynamic nonprofit partnerships, and direct training and support to increase the capacity of urban residents to effect meaningful community change.

Somali Family Service empowers immigrants, refugees and other underserved communities in San Diego through its programs that promote health, educational and economic success, and leadership development. Its work is guided by core values of Community, Empowerment, Innovation, Sustainability, Integrity and Collaboration.

Urban League of San Diego assists African Americans and other underserved people in San Diego County to achieve social and economic equality through advocacy, bridge building, program services and research.

Education

CCEAL (Community College Equity Assessment Lab) is a national research laboratory under the Interwork Institute at San Diego State University that is dedicated to developing knowledge and advancing promising practices that enhance success among historically underrepresented and underserved students in community colleges.

Reality Changers has developed a nationally recognized, three-stage college access program that changes realities for high-potential, inner city youth, with the vision of creating universal access to college, one community at a time.

Entrepreneurship and Business Support

Connect All @ The Jacobs Center is the first business and entrepreneurship center created by the city of San Diego to support low-income residents and founders of color in a historically underserved community. Connect All boosts startup growth, especially for entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds that are ready and eager to take their companies to the next level.

Food Distribution

I am My Brother’s Keeper aims to build a stronger community and more sustainable San Diego through food distribution, mentorship programs, counseling services, and job, math, reading, resume writing and computer skills training.

Health and Wellness

Mental Health America of San Diego County (MHASD) brings together clients, families, professionals, providers, community leaders, and the public to collaborate, cooperate and ensure available affordable care to all citizens.  Over the years, MHASD has offered numerous programs and services focused on the following four areas: Advocacy, Education, Services and Research.

LGBTQ+ Supportive Services

The San Diego Black LGBTQ Coalition strives to be a haven for the Black LGBTQ community. It serves as a central hub for LGBTQ Black life, with a primary focus on connection to resources, events and outlets that support, strengthen and enrich the lives of LGBTQ community members.

Refugee Advocacy and Support

Horn of Africa is a leading community-based organization representing and advocating for the comprehensive and diverse needs and opportunities of African refugees and immigrants in San Diego, with a particular emphasis on refugees from Somalia.

UWEAST (United Women of East Africa) provides health services, education and advocacy for the well-being of the East African community, women and families. A community-based organization comprised of approximately 100 East African women, UWEAST operates the East African Cultural and Community Center in City Heights and offers programs and services with the goal of responding to the overlooked health needs of East African women and families.

Research, Policy and Action

Center on Policy Initiatives (CPI) is a nonprofit research and action institute dedicated to creating economic prosperity, sustainable communities and a healthy environment for all. CPI serves a unique role in the San Diego region, providing the analysis, policy solutions, education and alliances that advance social and economic justice for working people and diverse communities.

Urban Collaborative Project is a community effort consisting of a series of action teams using data to identify major disparities within the San Diego community. These teams use research to create action plans and solutions designed to address disparities focusing on health education and art and infrastructure.

Workforce Development

Black Tech Link is a California-based organization that focuses on the economic advancement of Black communities through technical education, workforce solutions and networking activities. It is committed to equipping San Diego’s Black workforce with resources and launching platforms to make meaningful connections that will advance their careers and businesses in STEM.

San Diego Workforce Partnership equips job seekers to increase their economic mobility, help businesses grow, rebuild and thrive equitably, and prepares children and young adults for the world of work. San Diego Workforce Partnership believes in the power and dignity of work, fights for equity and inclusion, and dedicates its work to building programs that meet people where they are.  

Youth Services

DETOUR (Depositing Empowerment Through Outreach & Urban Redevelopment) is a mentoring program for girls of color, with the vision to see equity and inclusion for teen girls of color in higher education and priority sector employment through their Focused And Naturally Confident Youth (F.A.N.C.Y.) Leadership programs.

Just in Time for Foster Youth invites transition-age youth (18 – 26) leaving the foster care system to join a reliable community that helps them become confident, capable and connected while also achieving self-sufficiency and well-being.

The Blue Heart Foundation offers a solid holistic mentoring program through adult and peer mentorship that facilitates positive interactions, education, empowerment and emotional well-being for underserved Black male youth ages 13 – 18.