Connection, focus, and solidarity are essential for the Black community’s resilience and future. LaDawn Sullivan of BRIC Fund shares a vision for sustainable, Black-led philanthropy rooted in ancestral wisdom, collective power, and lasting change.

As we celebrate Black Philanthropy Month 2025, The Acumen’s final issue features a powerful conversation with LaDawn Sullivan, Executive Director of the Black Resilience in Colorado (BRIC) Fund. With over 30 years of experience in philanthropy and community leadership, Sullivan shares her journey, the founding of the BRIC Fund, and her bold vision for equitable giving and transformative Black leadership.

This Black Philanthropy Month, discover how small acts of giving—just $5—can create lasting change. LaDawn Sullivan shares the story behind the BRIC Fund and how community-rooted generosity builds Black resilience in Colorado and beyond.

At BRIC, we center Black joy as essential. Not a luxury. Not an afterthought. But a necessary ingredient in building strong, liberated communities.

This year’s Black Philanthropy Month theme, Sankofa Now! Remember. Reclaim. Rise, is more than a reflection; it is a rallying call. At a time when DEI initiatives are under attack and Black-led movements are being sidelined, we must remember our philanthropic roots built on collective care and community-driven investment.

In honor of Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, the Black Resilience in Colorado Fund focuses on the importance of self-care and supporting mental health and wellness to fuel our collective ability to thrive together. This week, EDCI Alum and Full Circle Restorative Justice Executive Director Eric Lee shares a message for BIPOC nonprofit leaders—and for all of us—on reclaiming the energy and joy that sustain our purpose and power.

June is Soul Food Awareness Month—a time to honor the cuisine born from struggle yet seasoned with resilience, love, and legacy. In The Legacy of Soul Food and Black Resilience: A Recipe for Unity and Hope blog, LaDawn Sullivan reflects on how the meals that once sustained our ancestors now nourish generations with culture, connection, and power.

From the depths of my heart to the soul of our people-this is a love letter. Not just of admiration, but of reverence. Not just of thanks, but of promise. This is a tribute to you, the heartbeat of the Black Resilience in Colorado (BRIC) Fund, and the very foundation of the movement we are building

Five years ago—on Juneteenth 2020—the Black Resilience in Colorado (BRIC) Fund was born out of heartbreak and hope. We rose from the ashes of George Floyd’s murder and centuries of injustice with a singular purpose: to fuel Black-led change by resourcing the brilliance, leadership, and resilience that already existed in our communities.

The countdown to Juneteeth is on, and Denver7 is highlighting one Colorado nonprofit focused on supporting and making sure the Black community has what it needs to thrive in the nonprofit space.

Five Points, a historic neighborhood in Denver with a rich history, is also going through some major transformation.

Throughou history, Black women have broken barriers across all sectors, continuously shaping a future brimming with possibilities.

As we recognize the 60th anniversary of Malcolm X’s assassination during Black History Month, we affirm an undeniable truth— Black labor...

Growing up, I learned how much discipline, strategy, and hard work go into not just winning games but protecting what matters most.

Celebrating 5 years of BRIC Fund: $5M invested in Black-led nonprofits. Join us in empowering communities & building a resilient Colorado!

EDCI strengthens the leadership pipeline of leaders of color. Congratulations to the Class of 2024! The 2025 program opens in January.

In times when fear and division are being stoked, we stand firm in our belief that resilience, unity, and justice will guide us forward.

As a Black man and legislator, I understand the importance of active political participation in our community.

Seventy years ago, the landmark ruling of the Supreme Court in the Brown v. Board of Education case determined state laws

August is Black Philanthropy Month. As we kick off this significant month, I reflect on the stories of resilience and generosity within our