Black Equity & Excellence Stories
A new initiative at OptionZero is helping people build strength in more ways than one. With support from our Black Equity and Excellence Fund, the B-Squared program is creating accessible fitness spaces where individuals of all ages and abilities can grow physically, mentally and emotionally.
Giving Voice Fall 2025: Grantee Story
The Central New York Community Foundation is welcoming three new Black Equity & Excellence Fund advisory council members: Karla Hall, Indaria Jones and Reverend DeCarto D. Draper. Jr.
Orlando Mcinnsey launched a youth boxing and mental health program, All Mighty Boxing. It’s there that he trains local youth ages 6-18 in self-defense to help them cultivate resilience, emotional intelligence and community.
Sixteen-year-old Azory Infinite dreams of redefining music while breaking cycles of poverty. Through the Good Life Youth Foundation's HipHop-preneurship program, youth like Infinite are learning about hip-hop, entrepreneurship and resilience, empowering them to rise above their circumstances.
Hear from Chayna Short, founder of Women Overcoming Obstacles Together, about how her transformative experiences with The Leadership Classroom (TLC) and our Participatory Grantmaking project provided her with guidance to develop, strengthen and grow her organization.
Giving Voice Winter 2024: Grantee Story
The Black Equity & Excellence Advisory Council is charged with reviewing grant proposals and making funding recommendations as well as identifying gaps and opportunities to create a more equitable and economically inclusive Central New York for the Black community.
Giving Voice Spring 2023: Donor Story
The Black Equity & Excellence Advisory Council is charged with reviewing grant proposals and making funding recommendations as well as identifying gaps and opportunities to create a more equitable and economically inclusive Central New York for the Black community.