About a decade ago, the African American Fund of Bartholomew County was established by six African American families whose vision, then and now, is expressed as follows:
“We see a future where African Americans who make their home in Columbus do so as part of a vibrant community that is welcoming and nourishing. We expect to have equitable access to educational and work opportunities that support both personal development and the ability to live fully and contribute back to our community. Our intent is to support processes to encourage a true exchange of knowledge, understanding, and an ongoing collaboration and inclusion of all people regardless of ethnicity or gender.”
Now known as the African American Foundation of Bartholomew County, it began with a challenge from the Heritage Fund — the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County. Its founders and sustaining donors have fulfilled its noble purposes and enriched Columbus in doing so.
And as The Republic reported this week, the foundation’s champions are not nearly done with this vital work. Organizers said they intend to raise the foundation’s endowment from $400,000 to $1 million by 2026. It’s a lofty, ambitious and entirely achievable goal.
Like all good works undertaken through the Heritage Fund, the African American Foundation of Bartholomew County relies on the beneficence of individuals and organizations in our community who share those same values and who contribute to support them.
“We are confident based on the community support we have experienced over the last 10 years,” community leader Tom Harmon said. “We feel we are really making an impact on our youth academic achievement and helping develop the next generation of leaders. It is an exciting opportunity to have a lasting impact on Bartholomew County.”
The African American Foundation has made impacts on communitywide and individual levels. Among its achievements in its first decade, it 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
- Co-sponsored more than 30 African American movies, speakers, and performances.
- Collaborated with more than 20 community organizations.
These all serve to enrich Columbus, which has always benefitted from its diversity and will continue to do so. Being an inviting and welcoming city is woven into our community’s fabric, emboldened by leaders such as J. Irwin Miller, who championed civil rights, equal opportunity and the desire for our community to lead by these examples.
And now, after a decade in existence, the African American Foundation is helping future leaders continue to build, in its words, “a vibrant community that is welcoming and nourishing.”
This is a vision we all should share, and we support and salute the African American Foundation’s efforts to improve the lives of young people and the life of our community. Learn more about the fund and its praiseworthy work at aafbc.org.
