By Arkansas Black Vitality staff

Nov. 29, 2025 — The Arkansas Black Philanthropy Collaborative (ABPC) is marking a major milestone this December with its fifth annual Convening, a sold-out evening event at the Clinton Presidential Library on Tuesday, Dec. 2. More than 100 leaders from across the nonprofit, education, and business sectors will gather at 8 p.m. to reflect on five years of progress and chart the future of philanthropy in the South.

Headlining the evening is New York Times columnist and cultural critic Charles M. Blow, whose keynote will explore the impact of chronic underinvestment in Southern communities and the role philanthropy must play in addressing inequality.

The celebration will also honor three trailblazers—Dr. Sherece Y. West-Scantlebury, Dr. Charlotte Lewellen-Williams, and Dr. Naccaman Williams—with the prestigious Morrow Black Philanthropy Award. Each has dedicated decades to advancing equity and opportunity in Arkansas, and their retirements mark the close of an influential chapter in the state’s philanthropic story.

For ABPC, which began as a small gathering of leaders in 2018, the evening is both a look back at its achievements and a bold step forward. As the organization continues to grow, its vision remains clear: to strengthen communities by organizing people and resources for greater impact.