Fund II Foundation

Fund II Foundation celebrates 10 years! ?? Fund II Foundation was established in November 2014 by?Robert F. Smith?as the founding director and president. We were established with the purpose of making grants to public charities that improve the daily lives of Black and Brown communities. ?? Our programs and investments prioritize creating pathways to opportunity by disrupting systems and providing access for all to a more equitable and sustainable future. Check out our programs?internXL?&?@bmhequity on instagram?! ?? Follow along?Fund II Foundation?to learn more about our grantees and each program! ??

Landmarks in every corner of our country carry the stories and embody the resilience of Black Americans. One such place is the Ida Francis Tourist House in Harrisonburg, Virginia, the last remaining Green Book house. During segregation, the Ida Francis Tourist House was a sanctuary for Black travelers. The house was included in the Negro Motorist Green Book, a travel guide created by Victor Hugo Green. This book, which was published from the 1930s through the 1960s, was a lifeline for Black families that helped them find places and businesses friendly to Black Americans while traveling. Thanks to the efforts of James Madison University and Eastern Mennonite University, the history of the Ida Francis house will be preserved. This initiative to safeguard a priceless landmark of #Blackheritage is critical to efforts to protect our shared history. Preserving cultural landmarks is one of the most meaningful ways we can keep the histories and voices of communities alive for future generations. It’s why I proudly support initiatives that honor Black history, including restoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s childhood home through a partnership with Fund II Foundation and the National Park Foundation. These efforts help keep our shared stories of courage and perseverance accessible to all. They will continue to remind us of the road already traveled and the work still to come.

Will you be at #Afrotech24? Come say hi! Come by the Black Maternal Health Equity booth at AfroTech Culture Park,(we are right next to the Lexus stage) as we’re lifting up #BlackTech voices and sharing powerful stories of innovation and resilience to inspire change in maternal health. Join us on 11/16 at @TexasSouthern for the Taking Action: Policy, AI, Tech & Us Breakfast Roundtable, where we will be addressing critical issues and driving solutions with state legislators to #NurtuHER well-being. ?? AfroTech Culture Park | Nov 13-15 ?? Breakfast Policy Roundtable | Nov 16 | 9AM-12PM ?? here: https://lnkd.in/eUDKByUg Be part of the movement for change. Let’s amplify, engage, and spark real impact! #BMHEquity #TechForUs #100VoicesofHope #AfroTech #BlackMaternalHealth Special Thanks to sponsors Qualtrics, Black Legislative Leaders Network, AFROTECH, & Texas Southern University ??

Join us this Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month as we honor?Xaviera Bell, MS, PFP, cHET, CD ("Zay")?and her powerful story in?100 Voices of Hope: Black Birth Story. In this deeply moving episode, Zay shares her journey with her son, Xander, recorded during her advocacy work at Mom Congress Hill Day. Her commitment to raising awareness for families impacted by loss shines through every moment. As a Member Advocate with Mom Congress and Executive Director of Zeal of Xander, Zay’s voice offers both courage and compassion, resonating deeply with all those who have experienced loss.?100 Voices of Hope: Black Birth Stories?is a campaign dedicated to amplifying stories of Black birthing people, parents, families, and advocates. Each story brings visibility to the resilience and love within Black maternal health, sparking conversations for meaningful change. We invite you to watch and share Zay’s story to help raise awareness and show your support this October. Please join us in honoring her journey and the countless others highlighted in this campaign. Watch here:?https://lnkd.in/ee3ShH9d #PregnancyAndInfantLossAwareness #100VoicesOfHope #BlackMaternalHealth #MomCongress #BMHEquity

We are excited to announce our social media winners for our AfroTech Ticket Giveaway! ?? Congratulations to Mba Gomba, Dylan Idan, Chioma Akaluso, Enow Tanyi, and Erica Shepherd! ???? Don’t forget to register to attend our AI Pitch Competition!? We will be giving away more AFROTECH tickets at the event. ?? Join us on Tuesday, November 12th, from 4:30 to 8:30 PM at Texas Southern University. Not only will you have the opportunity to learn more about the impact of artificial intelligence on pressing global challenges, but you’ll also vote to help select the winners! ??Click the link below today to RSVP. We hope to see you there! https://lnkd.in/ervUuasi #internXL #AfroTech #aipitchcompeition #HBCU #paidinternships

??Student Success Stories: Press play to hear our internXL scholar,?Faith Paul, discuss her experience during her internship with?FYI and what she enjoys most about working with?@theinternxl’s team! ?? “Opportunities like these are very important for HBCU students because some Black students may have come from homes where they don’t have money to do things and gain education. internXL has made it possible. Who would’ve known I’m in LA and that everything is paid for? internXL means expansion of innovation.” –Faith, a student at?Florida A&M University Ready to be our next success story? ?? ??Register today at internxl.org! #internXL?#HBCUStrong?#HBCUPride?#PaidInternship?#HBCUinternships?#FAMU

Parkinson’s disease is a serious condition, but for Black Americans, it goes underdiagnosed. Systemic biases in healthcare, along with a lack of awareness in our communities, mean that Black patients are often overlooked when it comes to this disease. Without a proper diagnosis, they are prevented from accessing life-changing therapies and are robbed of the treatments and care they need. Cultural mistrust bred from years of neglect and mistreatment, and fears around privacy and job discrimination, deepen the gap, leading many to avoid seeking help. We need to change these factors if we are to improve the standard of care for Black communities. Advocates emphasize the importance of Black-led recruitment and education efforts. When people see themselves reflected in the healthcare system, they’re more likely to engage and take charge of their health. This critical work will not only improve outcomes for Parkinson’s disease, but across other critical areas like maternal health, prostate cancer and more where Black Americans face worse health outcomes. Organizations like KFF, Fund II Foundation, the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Mount Sinai Health System and more are working to raise awareness and seek change. I am passionate about racial equity, especially in healthcare. Every person deserves access to the right diagnosis, the right treatment and support, regardless of race. Let’s continue to push for a system that truly serves everyone. https://nbcnews.to/3BOO7bU

I am honored to have received the 2024 Distinguished Leadership Award from the Committee for Economic Development last night. This award recognizes leaders who show a strong commitment to corporate citizenship and business stewardship for the betterment of society. I am grateful to be included among them. A special thanks to Thasunda Brown Duckett for presenting this award. Congratulations to my fellow honorees for your exceptional leadership and dedication in these challenging times; Nikesh Arora, CEO and Chairman of Palo Alto Networks, Jenny Johnson, President and CEO of Franklin Templeton, Raj Subramaniam, President and CEO of FedEx, Julie Sweet, Chair and CEO of Accenture and Hamdi Ulukaya, Founder and CEO of Chobani. Your efforts inspire me and countless others to strive for positive change and make a meaningful impact in our communities. Together, we can continue to pave the way for a brighter future for everyone.