Eight leaders reflect this year’s Black Philanthropy Month theme,
“Many Voices. One Movement.”
The 2026 theme for Black Philanthropy Month is “Many Voices. One Movement.” It honors the many people, communities, and forms of generosity that carry Black philanthropy forward.
The 2026 Gamechangers reflect that range. Their work reaches across education, law, cultural preservation, youth development, recovery services, mental health, and spiritual life. Each has chosen a different path of service, but all are helping build a stronger and more connected Middle Tennessee.
Meet the 2026 Gamechangers
Through their leadership and service, these Gamechangers show that Black philanthropy is not defined by one profession or one form of giving. It can be found wherever people share their resources, knowledge, care, and influence in service to others.
Check back each week as we spotlight a 2026 Gamechanger and share their story.
Celebrating Connection and Community
On Aug. 27, CFMT welcomed nonprofit leaders, fundholders, board members, philanthropists, and community partners to ELM Nashville for the Gamechangers Celebration: Marketplace & Mixer.
The evening honored the 2024 and 2025 Gamechangers and introduced the 2026 class.
Through an interactive community marketplace, guests met Black-led nonprofits serving Middle Tennessee and learned more about opportunities to give, serve, and build new partnerships.
Experience The Celebration
More than 165 guests attended the celebration, with five organizations participating in the community marketplace:
Click a logo to learn more!
Participating organizations received a grant from CFMT and Fidelity. CFMT would like to give special thanks to Pathways Kitchen for catering the event.
Attendees connected with nonprofits, learned more about their missions and discovered ways to support their work on an ongoing basis. Nonprofit leaders also discussed opportunities to collaborate on grants, outreach, and programming. The evening brought together multiple generations of philanthropists, including CFMT Board Officer and Gamechangers 2025 cohort honoree Mrs. Gail Williams.
“It’s wonderful seeing so many young people and new people here,” said Williams. “This is our next generation of Black philanthropy”
The gathering brought this year’s theme to life, with many voices coming together around a shared commitment to Middle Tennessee.
“This was awesome! Thank you all for the opportunity to meet so many amazing people,” said guest of the event, Stephen Watts, founder and lead of the Black Mythology Project at Black Mental Health Village.
Since 2019, CFMT has celebrated Black Philanthropy Month by recognizing Black leadership, connecting donors with Black-led organizations and creating space for conversations about the future of giving in our region.
And the celebration continues.
Over the coming weeks, we will share an in-depth profile of each of our eight 2026 Gamechangers, carrying the celebration from Black Philanthropy Month in August into National Philanthropy Month in November.
Keep an eye out for these stories and the many ways the Gamechangers 2026 cohort shows up every day to help build a thriving Middle Tennessee.
About Black Philanthropy Month
Celebrated each August, Black Philanthropy Month is a global observance of giving to and by people of African descent. It recognizes Black generosity in all its forms while inviting individuals, families, organizations, and communities to invest in Black-led change.
The 2026 theme, Many Voices, One Movement, reflects the idea that the strength of Black philanthropy comes from the people who carry it forward. Giving may take many forms, but it is united by collective care, community-led investment, and a shared commitment to justice and opportunity for Black people everywhere.
The theme also reminds us that this work does not belong to one person or organization. It grows when people come together to give, build, serve, and share their voices in support of a common purpose.
Since 2019, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee has celebrated Black Philanthropy Month by highlighting Black leadership, connecting donors with Black-led organizations, and creating space for conversations about the future of giving in our region.
This year, CFMT will bring community members together for conversation, connection, and recognition of Black leaders shaping Middle Tennessee. Guided by Many Voices, One Movement, we will consider how donors, nonprofit leaders, businesses, families, and neighbors can each contribute to a stronger and more connected future for Black philanthropy.
