True Philanthropy Lifts the Vulnerable

While MacKenzie Scott ’92’s generosity is often celebrated, I must note a troubling place her wealth was given. She gave $275 million to Planned Parenthood, the nation’s leading abortion provider, which was the largest donation in that organization’s history. This donation aims to advance reproductive equity, primarily expanding abortion access in the Black community. Black women constitute just 7% of the U.S. population, yet represent 39% of abortions, highlighting stark racial disparities.

As a Black man, this deeply concerns me. Promoting abortion disproportionately in one community sends a harmful message that some lives are less valuable — the essence of racism.

This issue is personal. When I was a junior at Princeton, my girlfriend, a sophomore, became pregnant. The nurse who confirmed the pregnancy at McCosh immediately urged her to abort. She was told she would never graduate or achieve her dream of becoming a doctor if she kept the baby.

She didn’t listen. We chose life. We married, raised our child — who attended my graduation — and welcomed our second child shortly before her graduation. She went on to become a doctor, serving patients with compassion for over 30 years. The baby the nurse thought would “ruin” her life strengthened her resolve and purpose.

Now, I lead Care Net, a network of over 1,200 pregnancy centers offering life-affirming support to women facing unplanned pregnancies. True philanthropy uplifts vulnerable lives. Unfortunately, Scott’s gift funds death disguised as empowerment. What good is charity that excludes the most vulnerable — the unborn baby denied a chance to live?