WGC's Black Philanthropy Month 2025 Happy Hour - Thanks for Joining Us!

We had a wonderful night celebrating women, community, and Black Philanthropy Month on August 5 at the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County's Black Philanthropy Month Happy Hour, in partnership with the Black Philanthropy Circle!

​The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County and Black Philanthropy Circle of Howard County are funds of The Community Foundation of Howard County.

The WGC is proud to continue our support for Black Philanthropy Month, which is observed every August. The primary aims of BPM are informing, involving, inspiring and investing in Black philanthropic leadership to strengthen African-American and African-descent giving in all its forms, for the benefit of our planet, our communities, our organizations and our lives.

We were welcomed by WGC Events Committee Chair Jade McClary who provided an overview of WGC's efforts supporting Black Philanthropy Month, and WGC's efforts and grantmaking. And, we heard from Melissa Curtin, President & CEO of The Community Foundation of Howard County, who thanked the WGC and BPC for the power of our collective giving efforts.

We heard from WGC's Membership and Development Committee Chair Kashonna Marrow about WGC's "Our Giving, Our Stories" and she gave an overview of this year's Black Philanthropy Month OGOS honoree Dr. Nia Jewell Leak. She mentioned that we have recognized over 130 women to date and encouraged everyone to read their profiles. We have so many incredible philanthropists in our community, and who joined us, including former WGC Advisory Board member and former WGC "Our Giving, Our Stories" Chair Malynda Madzel, who started this wonderful effort, and was recently honored nationally for her work to lift the stories and voices of women in our community through "Our Giving, Our Stories" - learn more here. 

We also heard from WGC's Break the Cycle Period Product Drive Chair Paula Seabright about our efforts. Paula thanked everyone for donating products that will go to our partners at JustLiving Advocacy, and we heard from JLA's Nette Stokes who outlined how our support helps women and girls.

Finally, we announced a $1,000 grant to our partners at the Black Philanthropy Circle!

It was a warm, wonderful evening of old and new friends, original founders, new donors, and partners, all having a greater impact together than we might otherwise have alone.

That's the power of a giving circle ... and the excitement of the WGC and the BPC.

Thank you to everyone who joined us!

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