The Waterbury Black Giving Circle (WBGC) proudly celebrates its third year by announcing the recipients of its 2024 grant awards. A total of $17,500 has been awarded to local, Black-led nonprofit organizations that serve and uplift the Black community in Waterbury.

The WBGC builds on this tradition and aims to foster a culture of philanthropy within the local Black community. The Circle is dedicated to enhancing the capacity and long-term financial sustainability of Black-led nonprofits, while actively addressing the most urgent needs faced by the Black community in Waterbury. One of this year’s grantees, Sharon Porter from Lady of Love, upon learning of the award noted, “OMG!!! THANK YOU and the WBGC for believing in us and helping us to continue to help the community. I am in tears right now.”

The Waterbury Black Giving Circle’s 2024 grants include the following:

  • Lady of Love was awarded $3,000 to continue their outreach and meal service within Waterbury.
  • Live Girl was awarded $3,000 to support the Confidence Club, an in-school initiative aimed at providing middle school girls with a supportive environment where they can address social pressures, academic stress, and confidence issues.
  • North End Coop was awarded $6,000 to continue their fall festival providing quality fresh produce and promoting healthy living.
  • Ungroup was awarded $2,500 to purchase an Apple iMac and software for their “Music in We” program supporting the creation of original content by local youth participating in Ungroup’s after-school music-based social and emotional learning classes focused on Black music styles.
  • Women’s Choice Charitable Association—which offers doula services and other assistance related to pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum care, and breastfeeding, with a particular focus on promoting positive outcomes for Black birthers—was awarded $3,000, to support its work.

For Juneteenth 2024, WBGC also sponsored its inaugural Juneteenth Oratorical/Essay contest. The winners received scholarships in the amount of $1,000, $500, and $250 and wrote on the theme, “Still We Rise: Why the Legacy of Juneteenth, Faith, and Family still matter in the Black Community?”

The Juneteenth Essay contest winners:

  • Blessing Owusu – 1st place
  • Alexa Kinion – 2nd place
  • Nate Riccio – 3rd place

On Wednesday, June 19th, the first-place winner, Blessing Owusu recited her original work during the City-wide Juneteenth Celebration.

About the Waterbury Black Giving Circle:
Established in 2021, the Waterbury Black Giving Circle (WBGC) is a network of individuals who come together and pool their collective charitable dollars to have greater impact and make a difference in the Black community. Members may join any time and make tax-deductible contributions to the fund each year. Membership runs from January 1 through December 31 of each year. An annual minimum contribution of $365—a dollar a day—is required to vote on grants. WBGC partners with Connecticut Community Foundation to administer the fund. To join or to learn more about the Waterbury Black Giving Circle, visit: https://conncf.org/wbgc