October 25, 2024; ATLANTA – Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative, the catalytic nonprofit that seeks to achieve shared prosperity by building Black wealth, has
completed an extensive rebranding effort including a change of the organization’s name to Kindred Futures and update to its brand identity. At the heart of this rebranding is a renewal of its vision as well as growth that will expand its reach into the deep South.
The organization was founded by its CEO Dr. Janelle Williams and Tené Traylor, vice president for nonprofits and philanthropy at the Urban Institute and Kindred Futures Board member. Growth for the organization was necessitated by an authentic demand for its work and targeted approach in both Atlanta and communities throughout the South. The Kindred Futures rebrand prioritizes economic opportunities for not just Atlantans, but the 2 million Black households with zero net worth across the South.
“‘Kindred Futures’ reflects an ambitious journey to tackle the racial wealth divide and in the deep South in a way that does not exclusively celebrate outliers, our work is centered on promoting community wealth building strategies,” said Janelle Williams, Ph.D. “So, while Atlanta is where we are planted, the South is where we will build momentum and strengthen our inclusive movement base.”
The organization will continue to leverage ideas, people, and capital to build collective Black wealth and reimagine economic realities for those whose lived experience is rooted in over 400 years of systemic racism and oppression. Representing a broader ecosystem of organizers, scholars, practitioners, investors, and civic leaders, Kindred Futures’ Build, Lead and Invest model is designed to support Black communities to drive immediate and lasting wealth-building transformations across the South.
“We firmly believe that the strategies we are implementing to enhance outcomes in our community have the potential to benefit other communities as well,” said Nonet Sykes, chairman of the Kindred Futures board of directors. “We invite everyone to join us in this vital effort, because if we can achieve meaningful change in the Black community, we can undoubtedly extend that success to other communities across the nation.”
The Kindred Futures name is rooted in a deep homage to Black and Southern culture as well as collectivism, acknowledging Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s inescapable network of mutuality.
“The direction we’re headed in with Kindred Futures is to bring all of this knowledge, experience and connection to people doing fantastic work trying to transform lives through community ownership and employee shared models,” said Kindred Futures’ Board Chair-Elect Alan Ferguson Sr., Ph.D. “That’s going to be the ongoing and lasting legacy of our organization.”
About Kindred Futures: Kindred Futures invests in Black Wealth Solution Providers in the South, redefining wealth so that Black people have the opportunity to contribute to and accelerate a just and inclusive economy. That is our promise. We are connected and committed to new models of abundance because we know that investing in people pushed to the economic fringes, results in a thriving economy.