Research shows that nonprofit organizations with Black leaders receive less funding with more restrictions, even though a critical mass serve Black communities. It’s time for a new approach to shift the narrative beyond a diversity and equity strategy — one that focuses on the unique strengths, expertise, and assets of Black leaders who are meaningfully guided by the communities they serve. This discussion will lift up strategies to scale and deepen the impact of Black social innovators in order to reimagine and rebuild systems of opportunity in America.

Speakers:

• Tulaine Montgomery, New Profit
• Kimberly Osagie, Echoing Green
• Terri Ludwig, Ballmer Group

Intergenerational Conversations: Proximity and Possibility

Giving in to the story that America is immovably divided means giving up on the idea that people in America can come together to solve seemingly intractable problems. How do we build relationships outside of existing power dynamics, push each other to see possibility, and commit ourselves to carrying forward the systems change work of those who came before us? This meetup brings together change leaders across generations to examine how our beliefs, experiences and communities have shaped how we see the future of our country, and discuss how we can re-architect the foundations of our society.

Speakers:

• Shawn Dove, New Profit
• Sheila Sarem, Basta

Practicing Proximity as Funders — Reimagining Our Role

The most effective solutions to systemic challenges will come from leaders and organizations grounded in the communities they serve — yet national philanthropy often looks for scalable solutions that work across contexts. In this meet-up hosted by New Profit and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, participants will have honest discussions about how funders across the ecosystem are ‘practicing proximity’ in their philanthropy and where they are getting stuck. We will discuss how social entrepreneurs can co-design solutions and shift resources and advance a new era of equity and shared power.

Speakers:

• Molly O’Donnell, New Profit
• Maurice McCaulley, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation