In this episode of the Giving Black Podcast, we focus on one of the most contentious aspects of African Philanthropy; the concept of Black Tax - an emerging practice affecting Africa's rising middle-class. Black tax is the term given to the act of  supporting one's friends and family through obligation and/or entitlement.  It is an extension of traditional forms of philanthropy where Family Begins at Home.  At Once Black Tax is a historic reminder of one's tradition of giving, and simultaneously it is an onerous burden threatening to hold back economic progress and wealth creation. Many Africans are in a love-hate relationship with the concept of Black Tax and its pejorative connotations.

In this Christmas special, the Giving Black Podcast hosts three of South Africa's leading lights who discuss their relationship to philanthropy. Is Black Tax an act of generosity or a burden unduly placed on Africa's upwardly mobile young middle-class? What do young African philanthropists do when their immediate and extended families are financially insecure? We explore the contentious nature of Black Tax and how it shapes  the lives of three women pioneering new ways of giving on the African continent: Nyasha Njela,  Head of Fundraising at Feenix,  Balungile Mabele, Specialist Socio-Economic Development, and Sinenhlanhla Nene, Financial Sector Code & Trusts Project Co-ordinator: Community & Development. They help us better understand the complex nature of giving as well as the benefits and barriers to generosity in  a modern African context. 

We are excited to host Greg McKenzie, one of the UK’s most trusted and prominent news correspondents and documentary film makers. Greg built a successful career as a broadcast journalist at the BBC. In 2022 Greg decided to follow his philanthropic passion - he  set up a pioneering social enterprise - the Inside Out Project.

He now works full-time as the founder of the Inside Out clothing company and social enterprise project.  Inside Out is the UK's first clothing brand created, designed and hand produced by young people exiting the criminal justice system.  Inside Out's main mission is to generate realistic job prospects for young people leaving the criminal justice system, creating opportunities in business through fashion and design.

Greg shares the fascinating story of his social impact journey, and the legacy he is building. His endearing principle towards philanthropy is Anything Is Possible When You Believe In It!

This episode features Jerome Tennille, Director of Social Impact and ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) at The Uplift Agency. Jerome and I speak about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its role in strengthening Black communities.

We also talk about the need to decolonize corporate grantmaking policies so they become more inclusive of Black decision-makers. Central to our conversation is the responsibility of Black businesses to implement CSR strategies, discussing how to use our influence to better our communities. 

This is  the second episode of The Giving Black Podcast. It continues the conversation with Canada's highest profile Black Philanthropist, the Rt. Hon. Madame Michaëlle Jean.

Madame Jean is Canada's 27th Governor General and the first Black woman (person) to fill the role. She is a proud descendent of Haitian-African slaves, and along with her husband Jean Daniel Lafond, co-founded the Michaëlle Jean Foundation, to promote youth advocacy through the arts, social impact, and entrepreneurship.

In part two:  An Activist in Rideau Hall,  Madame Jean speaks about the important work of the Fondation Michaëlle Jean Foundation, her work with Black and Indigenous youth, and also shares her philanthropic philosophy - Selfishness is the Opposite of Love.  

The first episode of The Giving Black Podcast kicks off with Canada's highest profile Black Philanthropist, the Rt. Hon. Madame Michaëlle Jean. 

Madame Jean is Canada's 27th Governor General and the first Black woman (person) to fill the role. She is a proud descendent of Haitian-African slaves, and along with her husband Jean Daniel Lafond, co-founded the Michaëlle Jean Foundation, to promote youth advocacy through the arts, social impact, and entrepreneurship.

Dear listeners, we could not have asked for a more prestigious first guest than Madame Jean. She embodies all of the elements of Black philanthropy: love, activism, reciprocity, generosity, and vision. In this episode madame Jean shares her parents' principles, which underpin her inspiration for philanthropy - Indifference cannot be an option.