Jackie Copeland

Jackie “Bouvier” Copeland (born: April 12, 1962) is an African American philanthropist.[1] She is the founder of the WISE Fund, which financially supports women of color working to save the environment.[2] Copeland also founded Black Philanthropy Month and the Pan-African Women’s Philanthropy Network (PAWPNet).[3]

Early life

Copeland was born in urban Philadelphia to James and Willette Copeland.[1]

Career

Copeland is the founder of the WISE Fund.[1] The WISE Fund provides seed funding and coaching to women of color who found organizations working to save the environment.[1] She has also founded Black Philanthropy Month, which is commemorated every August and has been recognized by the United Nations.[3] Copeland co-founded Pan-African Women’s Philanthropy Network (PAWPNet) with colleague Mojúbàolú Olufúnké Okome.[4] PAWPNet is an online community for African American women that provides advice and information.[4] Copeland wrote her first book in 2004, called Creating Africa in America: Translocal Identity in an Emerging World City.[1] Copeland has also co-authored various books, such as Applying Anthropology in the Global Village with Christina Wasson and Mary Butler, Evaluation Anthropology with Mary Butler, and African Immigrant Innovations in 21st Century Giving with Mojúbàolú Olufúnké Okome and Dr. Una Okonkwo Osili.[1]

Copeland has also released a jazz album called Blachant on April 14th, 2022[5] and has shared that she is a certified Zumba instructor.[6]

Copeland developed the original design of My Brother's Keeper that would eventually inspire My Brother's Keepers initiative launched by President Barack Obama.

Awards and honors

Copeland was a Bush Foundation Fellow in 1997[7] and has received the Hero for Health award.[6] She was also recognized as a HistoryMaker, and was included in the Congressional Record.[8]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Jacqueline Copeland's Biography". The HistoryMakers. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  2. "About". The WISE Fund. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  3. 3.0 3.1 SMITH, LARRY; SMITH, LARRY (2021-08-05). "Smith: Black Philanthropy Month". Indianapolis Recorder. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Pan-African Women's Philanthropy Network Spring 2015 – Public Service Internship Program". usfblogs.usfca.edu. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  5. Johnston, Mady (2022-04-27). "Dr. Jackie "Bouvier" Copeland Brings Her Album Blachant to Albright College". BCTV. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Varalli, Stephania. "Meet Dr. Jackie Bouvier Copeland, an award-winning social and… – Women of Influence". Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  7. "Jacqueline Copeland Carson". Bush Foundation. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  8. Georgiadis, Candice (2020-08-21). "Female Disruptors: How Dr Jackie Bouvier Copeland Aims To Shake Up Philanthropy Among The Black Dia". Authority Magazine. Retrieved 2023-01-13.