From “7 Gen Yoga Flow” to unpacking the attack on democratic norms, the 2022 Upswell Summit drove home for us the importance of simultaneously holding self-care and community care to enhancing our own skillset toward building a healthy and just nation where all can truly thrive.
Our three Main Stages – from our Upswell Summit on November 15 – focused on efforts to finance justice for the Deep South, realizing we must be the change we wish to see, and unpacking the midterm elections and our next steps as a sector. All of this provided our Upswell community of changemakers with much to think about – and look forward to – as we consider what’s next for Independent Sector and our community.
There also was exciting news from Dr. Akilah Watkins, our incoming President and CEO, about next year’s Upswell Summit, November 15-17, 2023. We’ll be back live and in person, and we invite you to join us in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas!
Did you miss the Upswell Summit? Or even if you joined us, but would like to “relive” some of the highlights – you can look forward to video recordings of highlights on our website that will be available soon. In the meantime, here’s a quick recap:
Main Stage 1: Investing in Justice for the Deep South
Our first Main Stage honored our 2022 John W. Gardner Leadership Award winner, William J. “Bill” Bynum, in recognition of his extraordinary leadership as President and CEO of the HOPE family of organizations and pioneering efforts to close the racial wealth gap, strengthen communities, and drive monetary resources into economically distressed areas of the Deep South that continue to suffer from systemic effects of American slavery.
Joined onstage by HOPE partners Lisa Mensah, President and CEO, Oregon Community Foundation and Main Stage moderator; and Margaret Anadu, Senior Partner, The Vistria Group, Bill shared how he came to his work today, saying “from an early age, I saw resistance in allowing people to reach their potential, and how people can come together to lower those barriers.”
Notable quotes from Bill Bynum:
- “Everyone at some point needs financial tools to climb the economic ladder. Unfortunately, it is not equitably available, particularly in Black, Brown and rural communities in the Deep South.”
- “We’re the nation’s largest Black- and woman-owned financial organization. But it’s a drop in the bucket.”
- “Policy is a force multiplier. We take that seriously.”
Main Stage 2: Forget the Lens. Pick up the Mirror.
How do we become the change we want to see in the world and build bridges across differences to make racial equity and justice the norm? Our panel considered how self-reflection is key to creating the change we seek and real belonging for the communities we serve. Dr. Shawn Ginwright, Founder and CEO, Flourish Agenda, Inc.; moderator Julie Gehrki, Vice President of Philanthropy, Walmart.org (an Upswell Summit sponsor); and Raquel Willis, award-winning writer and activist considered the importance of assessing ourselves and the importance of vulnerability to truly root ourselves in social justice work.
Notable quotes:
- “How do we create belonging even for those we don’t agree with or don’t see as a part of our tribe.” Shawn Ginwright
- “There is more possibility in understanding that you don’t know everything than thinking that you do know everything. That stops the conversation. That stops the opportunity. There is more to other people’s journeys, even the people we cast as villains. We need to figure out how to move forward.” Raquel Willis
- “We are really good at accountability and calling out injustice and calling people out. We’re not as good at giving grace.” Shawn Ginwright
- “I’m sure people are aware, whether trans or not, we’re in a visibility era. We’re in time of ‘being seen.’” Raquel Willis
Main Stage 3: Making Sense of the Midterms: Laying a Roadmap for 2024
With the midterms in the rear view mirror, but still a hot topic of conversation, our last Main Stage of the day took on the somewhat surprising results and preliminary lessons learned. Our panel – including Catherine Coleman Flowers, Founder of the Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice; Larry Kramer, President of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation; Daniel Weiner, Director of Elections and Government at the Brennan Center for Justice; and moderator Clarissa Martinez De Castro, Vice President of the Latino Vote Initiative at UnidosUS – shared their opinions about how we should consider the results and next steps for the sector as we look ahead to the 2024 elections.
Notable quotes:
- “Much like love and happiness, democracy isn’t a destination. It’s a journey.” Clarissa Martinez De Castro
- “We should make it easier for people to vote. Period. That is one of the big problems we have.” Catherine Coleman Flowers
- “The first thought is that I want to fight with is, ‘Here’s the ideal. How do we get there?’ There will never be a democracy that functions toward that ideal. What are the pragmatic steps to get you there?” Larry Kramer
- “Take responsibility yourself for the machinery of democracy. Elections depend on the entire society on agreeing to the process and facilitating to running it smoothly. I am optimistic. We need all of society to do its part.” Daniel Weiner
And did we mention workshops and Spark Talks? There were 18 of them, covering a broad range of topics and interests to challenge changemakers to think, take a moment to reflect, and to consider what more we can do as a sector to better serve our communities and nation. They took on using power and philanthropy to co-create equity; breaking up with burnout to foster organizational resilience; how local journalism can help identify community problems and solutions; dismantling ableism using an anti-racist lens; and bolstering the case to endow Black-led nonprofits. While we can’t include all of the wonderful, insightful quotes that came out of these sessions, we can tease you with a few:
Break Up with Burnout: Fostering Organizational Resilience
“Listen to people and care with genuine curiosity. Be fully present and avoid premature judge, while having positive intent. This can help achieve a positive outcome in the conversation.” Andrea Williams, Director, Population Health, Center for Creative Leadership (an Upswell Summit sponsor)
Restoring Community Power in Journalism to Sustain Democracy
“If people aren’t showing up, then you need a better invitation.” Lila Mills, editor in chief of nonprofit news outlet Signal Cleveland
Power and Philanthropy: Co-Creating Equity
“The climate hasn’t changed. We just have a better weather report.” Dwayne Marsh, President and CEO, Northern California Grantmakers
Making the Case to Endow Black-Led Nonprofits
“If a problem took 200 years to create, it might take at least 100 years to solve.” Darren Isom, Partner, The Bridgespan Group
Using An Anti-Racist Lens to Dismantle Ableism
“It’s enraging because [COVID-19 work from home accommodations] are accommodations disabled people have been pushing for, [but] once it started to hinder a majority of non-disabled folks, that’s when the sector really shifted to accommodate people.” Sandy Ho, Director, Disability Inclusion Fund-Borealis Philanthropy
Be sure to stay tuned to our website for video recordings of all the highlights, and mark your calendar so you’re there with us – live and in person – for the 2023 Upswell Summit, November 15-17, in Dallas/Fort Worth!
Debra Rainey is communications manager at Independent Sector.
