We believe…
that the inherent power of economic freedom - which has eluded black women and communities of color for generations – should be put decisively in their hands.
Honoring What We Built
Inspired by the work of Cassandra Banks, our programs and grants, that supported local initiatives, presented opportunities for black women and women of color to excel in the electrical trade, by strengthening the fortitude, skills, and capabilities needed to thrive in today’s work environment.
We are incredibly proud of the five years the Foundation was able to support women, create partnerships within the electrical trade groups, and gain support of funding partners. Unfortunately, the current climate limiting access to funding for DEI initiatives has impacted both our organization and the apprenticeship programs we were committed to supporting. Therefore, the Cassandra Banks Foundation is sunsetting its operations, effective September 1, 2026. We have chosen to maintain this website in the hopes of inspiring other organizations to take on similar work — and to continue to encourage black women and women of color to pursue careers in the electrical industry. Read about some of the women who benefited from the support of the Foundation.
The success of our vision, to create pathways to financial stability for black women through localized investments, demonstrates how to generate positive, lasting change in communities of color -- strengthening generations to come.
This Is Who We Are
For the Cassandra Banks Foundation, diversity, equity, access, and inclusion (DEAI) are foundational principles, central to our mission, as we focus on creating a more inclusive future where workforces are more diverse; economic power is distributed equitably; and philanthropy is in alignment with the needs of communities of color … as defined by the people themselves.