Melanin Minds awarded grant from the Bayou Collective Giving Circle

From Houston Style Magazine:

Houston’s spirit of generosity is taking center stage this Black Philanthropy Month as The Bayou Collective announces its first five grantees, marking an important milestone for the Houston-based Black philanthropic giving circle and the communities it serves.

The announcement comes on Give 8/28 Day, a national day of giving and community action that serves as a key focal point during Black Philanthropy Month. The timing underscores the power of collective giving, community investment, and the longstanding tradition of Black philanthropy.

What makes this moment even more remarkable is what The Bayou Collective has accomplished in just nine short months. Launched in November 2025 by co-founders Courtney Taylor and Kelli King-Jackson, the organization was created to build a giving circle rooted in community, transparency, and shared decision-making. In less than a year, that vision has grown into a powerful force for Greater Houston nonprofits.

In its inaugural grant cycle, The Bayou Collective received applications from more than 100 nonprofit organizations across Greater Houston, reflecting the depth of service, innovation, and commitment already at work throughout Houston’s Black communities.

Following a multi-stage review process led by The Bayou Collective’s Grants Committee and culminating in a vote by the organization’s full membership, five organizations were selected to receive unrestricted, general operating support:

Shabach Enterprise — Cultural Arts

Queens Foundation — Financial Literacy

Melanin Minds — Women’s Health

Cognitive Justice — Workforce Development

We Are The Ones Solidarity Cooperative — Financial Literacy

Read the full feature by Lisa Valadez in Houston Style Magazine here.