Yes.
In this scenario, I would say that if you have to use an intermediary, then, yes, having Black-led organizations that are regionally spread out is important to reaching groups on the ground, but I think the best-case scenario to implement this project, and given the fact that the federal government has already initiated a process to establish an endowment for a Black foundation, would be to have a Black foundation leading this kind of work.
Why? They'll have dedicated staff who are focused only on funding, and if you get the right kind of strategic and research-oriented foundation, they'll be able to do this work over the long term. They'll be able to do research to assess whether or not the funds are actually reaching the targeted demographic. They'll be able to build relationships. They'll be able to do ongoing outreach, so if people didn't get accepted into round one of funding, they'll continue to do that outreach so that they will potentially get funding in round three or round four. This is really all they are focused on and tasked with doing, so they can be really invested in this work.
I think Tropicana has done a great job given that they've taken on this role, but it is a lot of work for a charitable organization to be a funder, to think strategically, to do outreach, and then also to lead a regular day-to-day charity.
I would say that it's best for the government to focus on creating a Black community foundation. I think the Foundation for Black Communities has done a really great job so far in developing research and starting to deliver grants, and that approach should be explored further.