Madam C. J. Walker and African American Philanthropy in the Twenty-First Century

The epilogue examines the presence of Walker’s style of giving among African American donors of the twenty-first century, from Oprah Winfrey to the millions of black churchwomen, clubwomen, and giving circle members today. It presents Winfrey as an exemplar of Madam Walker’s gospel of giving by exploring the evolution of her philanthropy across her career. It reviews the fundraising campaign of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC, which reflected Walker’s gospel of giving by creating multiple points of entry for donors of various abilities to give. A broad base of donors of all races, but especially African Americans, responded to the campaign by donating money, artifacts, and volunteer time at extraordinary rates. The chapter presents a brief overview of the current landscape of African American philanthropy as a reflection of Walker’s gospel of giving that includes the black church, communal forms of giving, giving circles, family foundations, black-led organizations and social movements, and professional affinity networks in philanthropy.