What if building stronger Black communities began with where we eat, spend, gather, and participate? LaDawn Sullivan introduces Breaking Bread with BRIC, a commitment to support Black-owned businesses and bring family and friends together around the table for food, connection, conversation, and community action.

A Black church congregation gathers during an offering as a hand places money into a gold collection plate. A woman in blue sits prominently in the foreground while other church members are visible behind her. The image accompanies the blog, The Building Fund Was Never Just About the Building and illustrates the longstanding tradition of Black church philanthropy, collective giving, faith, and community members pooling their resources to build and sustain institutions for fut

What if generosity wasn’t just about sheltering ourselves from life’s storms, but about gathering resources to help others weather them too? In this Black Philanthropy Month reflection, LaDawn Sullivan explores how Black giving, community, and collective action have always transformed individual blessings into shared strength—building resilient communities, BRIC by BRIC.

Black music has always been more than entertainment—it has been a force for community, culture, healing, and social change. This reflection explores how the soundtrack of Black America continues to inspire resilience, strengthen leadership, and move hearts, movements, and progress forward.