African-American LGBT charity group debuts: A newly launched charitable organization called Kindred: An African American LGBT Giving Circle gave its first grant this week, beginning what organizers hope is a new brand of philanthropy. The $13,000 gift went to Washington, D.C.’s Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League. “Our African-American history is rich with individual philanthropists — people who provided warm meals for families in the community in need, and books and resources for young people trying to make it through school,” organizers said.