Masala Giving Circle awards $20,000 in grants to support the African American community in Sarasota and Manatee Counties

SARASOTA - June 29, 2022

Masala Giving Circle has announced the recipients of their 2022 grants.

FUNducation, Inc. will receive a grant of $10,000 for their project, “Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library S.T.E.A.M. Enrichment Initiative.” The mission of FUNducation, Inc. is to partner with community organizations to develop, host, and sustain hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) programs to expose, engage, and inspire youth to pursue those professions. Neirda Thompson-Pemberton is the Executive Director.

Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative (SBAC) will also receive a grant for $10,000 for their project, “Art in Black at Booker Middle School and Booker High School.” The dual mission of the Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative is to advocate for greater exposure for artists of African descent through the Suncoast Arts Community and to provide educational forums/symposia to expose students and area patrons to the work of artists of African descent. Michele Redwine is the founder of SBAC.

Masala Giving Circle Masala Giving Circle is a group of philanthropically minded African American women with a common passion for giving back, helping others, and creating positive change in the communities of color of Sarasota and Manatee counties. Masala Giving Circle’s vision is to enhance culturally-vibrant thriving African American/Black communities. Its mission is to promote economic and personal empowerment through financial support for programs and initiatives that benefit African American/Black communities in Sarasota and Manatee counties. For more information, visit www.masalagivingcircle.org.