File photo Lori Thompson, board president of the African American Foundation of Bartholomew County, is shown at a previous event.
The biggest message at the African American Foundation of Bartholomew County’s Ten Year Anniversary Celebration and Dinner will be one of gratitude.
So say leaders of the organization that changed its name in the fall. The free gala will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 15 at The Commons, 300 Washington St. in downtown Columbus as part of Black History Month Columbus. Reservation deadline is Thursday at the eventbrite site listed at the Facebook page for the African American Foundation of Bartholomew County.
The estimated 20-minute program will include board president Lori Thompson’s report to the community, followed by a buffet meal and then pianist Christopher Pitts’ jazz ensemble performing. Indianapolis’ Pitts, considered a rising star on the jazz circuit, quickly sold out a concert last year at Helen Haddad Hall locally.
“We want to thank the community for all their support for the past decade,” said Thompson, also among the organization’s founders.
The foundation, formerly known as the African American Fund of Bartholomew County and linked to the The Heritage Fund — The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County, focuses on key initiatives for Black residents.
Those include education, leadership development, health awareness, arts and culture, and economic and career development. The foundation “emphasizes the importance of investing in the next generation to build a stronger community, celebrating diversity and fostering collaboration,” according to its publicity material.
The foundation was founded in 2013 by six local African American families in response to a challenge from the Heritage Fund to establish a new endowment fund.
Tracy Souza, Heritage Fund president and chief executive officer, is scheduled for brief remarks at the celebration. Kevin Jones, an African American Foundation of Bartholomew County board member, will serve as emcee.
“This will be a recognition of an overall, shared commitment to improve our community,” Jones said.
It also will include artistic recognition of local community members via the brush of New York City artist Louisa L. Aknin. She will be completing portraits of various people with some of the works to be displayed at the dinner.
Plus, it will in part highlight the foundation’s goal announced in the fall: to increase its total funds raised to $1 million by 2026. It has raised $414,000 in the past 10 years.
It has given $150,000, according to Thompson, with an endowment of $220,000.
Foundation funds currently total about $370,000.
“We are well on our way to achieving the campaign goals,” Thompson said. “It’s pretty important to note that we’ve never even had a (fundraising) campaign before. People would simply hear of what we were doing and be willing to provide support.”
As part of the foundation’s arts and culture focus, Thompson accompanied a group of nine students on Sunday to Indiana Repertory Theatre’s performance of “Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer,” a civil rights leader who pushed for voting rights for Blacks.
“Many of these students never had been to a live theatrical show before,” Thompson said. “It felt so good to enable these students to experience something like that.”
Leaders say the foundation has demonstrated significant growth in its community development efforts, charitable contributions, and collaborative initiatives. The foundation’s work encompasses vital areas including education, arts, culture, leadership development, and economic development. Leaders emphasize that it’s all geared toward strengthening community bonds and creating a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous Bartholomew County.
In education, the foundation:
- Has awarded $53,000 in scholarships awarded to 33 students since 2019.
- Made it possible for 80 students to attend STEM camps.
- Helped 70 youth attend college fairs
In arts and culture, the foundation:
- Has co-sponsored more than 30 African American movies, speakers, and performances.
- Collaborated with more than 20 community organizations.
About the event
What: Ten-year anniversary celebration of the African American Foundation of Bartholomew County
When: 6 p.m. Feb. 15. Deadline for reserving a seat is Thursday with an eventbrite link at the Facebook page for African American Foundation of Bartholomew County
Where: The Commons, 300 Washington St. in downtown Columbus
Admission: Free.
