uPower, Purpose & Philanthropy
Reimagining Black wealth for a new era through collective insight, shared experience and international action.
Four conversations. One shared direction
GLOBAL CONVERSATION
VOICES FROM ACROSS THE DIASPORA
BUILDING INTERGENERATIONAL BLACK WEALTH
THE SERIES
A four part leadership series exploring how philanthropy, entrepreneurship and storytelling can work together to build Black wealth, shift power and create lasting impact. This is not just a conversation about giving. It is about reimagining how we invest in people, communities and legacy.
1
AWARENESS
Setting the Stage:
The new Language of Black Wealth
May 2026
2
ANALYSIS
Systems, Structures & Access
July 2026
3
ACTION
Setting the Stage:
The new Language of Black Wealth
May 2026
LATEST FROM THE BLOG
MAY
02
PHILANTHROPY
Beyond Charity: Why Black Wealth Requires a New Playbook
Exploring how philanthropy can evolve from transactional giving to sustainable investment and legacy building.
MAY
02
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
The Power of Collective Investment
APRIL
10
STORYTELLING
Telling Our Stories.
Building Our Future
APRIL
18
POLICY & SYSTEMS
Access Denied: The Hidden Barriers in Philanthropic Funding
UPCOMING EVENTS
MAY
15
EVENT 1: AWARENESS
Setting the Stage: The New Language of Black Wealth
Thursday 15 May 2026
1:00-3:00 PM (GMT)
Live Webinar
JUL
17
EVENT 2 : ANALYSIS
Systems, Structure & Access
AUG
21
EVENT 3: ACTION
From Giving to Investing
OCT
16
Oct 16 EVENT 4: ACCOUNTABILITY
From Insight to Impact
FEATURED VIDEO
SERIES INTRODUCTION
uPower, Purpose & Philanthropy Series 2026 - Welcome
NBWN Founder Paulette Leaphart introduces the vision behind the series and what to expect
Duration 2:18
THE POWER OF PURPOSE
Purpose as the Foundation of Wealth
2:45
WHY THIS SERIES?, WHY NOT
A Call to Action
1:59
MEET OUR SPEAKERS
Dr. Awele Elumelu
Philanthropist & Entrepreneur
Arlan Hamilton
Investor & founder, Backstage Capital
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Director-general. World Trade Organisation
Vanessa Kingori
Social Entrepreneur & Investor
Kumi Naidoo
Global Advocate & Strategist
STAY CONNECTED
Join our community for updated, insights and early access to the full series
Empowering Black women and communities through connection, advocacy, leadership and collective action.
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