African American Leadership Council

African American Leadership Council is a network of engaged African American and minority leaders who seek to harness their power and philanthropy to create bold community change. We leverage resources to advance education, financial stability and health throughout the Tri-County region.

Trident United Way African American Leadership Council (AALC) was founded on April 22, 2015 as a shared vision of 47 local Black philanthropists and an initial investment of $81,982. Inspired by a goal to raise $2 million dollars for initiatives in the African American community, the founding members focused on the four pillars of Leadership Development & Mentorship, Being A Social Nexus, Advocacy and Service Projects.

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2024 AALC Book Drive Ninth Annual Book Drive

 Thank you to everyone who supported the AALC Book Drive

For the ninth year, Trident United Way African American Leadership Council collected books to distribute to students at St. Stephen’s Elementary, EB Ellington Elementary and Mary Ford Early Learning & Family Center, providing children access to books to read over the summer months.

On average, students' achievement scores decline over summer vacation by one month's worth of school-year learning, and this can often have a greater impact on students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have less resources available. By providing books to students from Title I schools you're providing an additional resource to help them continue their path towards literacy.

2024 Black History Month Happy Hour

Members of the AALC closed out Black History Month with a Sip & Serve Happy Hour at The Montague Room in North Charleston. Attendees assembled 100 donated care kits for nonprofit partner Sunflowers of HOPE, Inc. and connected with one another over delicious appetizers and cocktails.We enjoyed seeing so many new and familiar faces at the event - thank you to everyone who joined!

 2024 Care Kit Drive

Thank you to everyone who dontaed to the Trident United Way African American Leadership Council Care Kit Drive! Stay tuned for more information on total kits donated! These Care Kits will provide everyday essential items for Tri-County children and adults experiencing homelessness. Care kits will be assembled by AALC members and provided to the community through nonprofit partner, Sunflowers of HOPE, Inc.. 

 2023 Winter Coat Drive

Thank you to everyone who donated to the Trident United Way African American Leadership Council virtual Winter Coat Drive! Thanks to your generous support, we surpassed the goal of providing 100 winter coats to children from families in need. Coats were distributed through Trident United Way Berkeley Resource Connection Center and St. Paul's Food Pantry and Clothing Closet.

2023 Fall Meet & Greet Happy Hour

Thank you for joining us!

Thank you to everyone who attended the Trident United Way African American Leadership Council November Meet & Greet Happy Hour at Blue Tequila Tacos & Grill! It was wonderful to see so many new and familiar faces connect over upcoming opportunities to get involved.

2023 Lunch & Learn

Trident United Way African American Leadership Council hosted a Lunch & Learn discussion on October 18, 2023 at the We Are Sharing Hope SC offices. Panelists from We Are Sharing Hope SC and MUSC provided insights into the organ and tissue donation process, from referral to aftercare family support, that opened a conversation with attendees around myths and misconceptions.

Thank you to our friends We Are Sharing Hope SC for graciously hosting us!

Thank to you all of the attendees and speakers for participating in the Lunch & Learn and providing an incredibly insightful discussion!

2023 Black Philanthropy Month

AALC members had a fantastic evening connecting over cocktails at our Black Philanthropy Month Celebration at The Montague Room in North Charleston. We enjoyed seeing many current members and meeting new individuals from the community!

Interested in joining the AALC for the next happy hour gathering? Reach out to jmccloskey@tuw.org for more information.

Black Philanthropy Month was initiated in 2001 and officially launched by founder Dr. Jackie Bouvier Copeland in 2011 to celebrate and advance Black giving and funding equity.  Almost 20 million people in 60 countries have celebrated BPM from inception.

The 2023 theme, Love in Action, is inspired by the times and the late scholar-activist bell hooks’ writings on love as a necessary foundation for true social change. The theme focuses attention on the root meaning of philanthropy as love for all humanity, including Black people. Trident United Way African American Leadership Council encourages you to join them as they show love in action through philanthropy, volunteering and advocacy throughout the Tri-County community.

Learn more about Black Philanthropy Month.

Our Vision:

• We work to solve pressing community issues through Trident United Way’s education, financial stability and health programs.
• We support Trident United Way with our time, talent and treasure, using our experiences and our voices to make a difference for our neighbors.
• Network and inform: We share data about community conditions to increase our knowledge — strengthening our collective ability to create change.

Trident United Way African American Leadership Council consists of African American philanthropists who contribute $1,000 or more to Trident United Way. Members have unique opportunities to see the impact that their financial support and volunteerism have on community issues.

AALC Step-Up Program

For those individuals not quite ready to invest in Trident United Way at the $1,000 level, the AALC Step-Up program allows donors to gradually increase their gift over a period of three years. Step-Up members will make a commitment to increase their Trident United Way gift, giving at least $500 in year one, $750 in year two and $1,000 in year three. Step-Up members are recognized as full AALC members and have access to all AALC benefits.

For more information, or to join Trident United Way African American Leadership Council, contact Justin McCloskey at (843) 740-7736 or jmccloskey@tuw.org.