(WASHINGTON, August 4, 2021) – Independent Sector and the Othering & Belonging Institute (OBI) at the University of California, Berkeley are collaborating through our respective annual gatherings in October to accelerate our vision to create transformative change toward a healthier and more racially just civil society, nation, and world where all people thrive and belong. 
OBI’s Othering & Belonging Conference will take place both in-person and virtually on October 18-19 and Independent Sector’s annual gathering, Upswell, will take place virtually October 20-22. The proximity of the dates of the two events offers an opportunity to the community of nonprofit and philanthropy leaders, scholars, activists, organizers, communicators, and policymakers to participate in both experiences.
Specifically, the collaboration will begin with a Learning Lab at the OBI conference focused on determining practical strategies for creating a true sense of belonging within our society, with particular focus on philanthropy and community-based leaders. Participants will have an opportunity to network and build community later at the Upswell Summit. Heads of the respective organizations, john a. powell and Daniel J. Cardinali, will also speak during an Upswell Main Stage event on October 20.
“We are thrilled that our Independent Sector and Upswell Community will now have a front row seat to the incredible expertise, innovation, and impact of the Othering & Belonging Institute,” said Daniel J. Cardinali, president and CEO of Independent Sector. “As we aim to create a healthier and more just charitable sector and nation, there is no doubt that understanding how we create an inclusive ‘we’ where everyone belongs is one of the most critical elements of this work. This is just the beginning of an ongoing collaboration.”
“All of us at the Othering & Belonging Institute profoundly value the critical, frontline role the Upswell community plays in building a society that works for all of us,” said Professor john a. powell, director of the Othering & Belonging Institute at the University of California, Berkeley. “That’s why this partnership with Independent Sector makes sense. Together, I’m confident we can make great strides in building a truly fair and inclusive world.”
Full access to two experiences: the virtual Othering and Belonging Institute (OBI) conference (October 18-19) and the virtual 2021 Upswell Summit (October 20-22). Learn more at Upswell.org/summit and conference.otheringandbelonging.org.
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Independent Sector is the only national membership organization that brings together a diverse community of changemakers, nonprofits, foundations, and corporations working to strengthen civil society and ensure all people in the United States thrive.
The Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley is a center for groundbreaking collaborations that bring together researchers, organizers, stakeholders, communicators, and policymakers to identify and eliminate the barriers to an inclusive, just, and sustainable world. Learn more at belonging.berkeley.edu.
Media Contacts:
Bradley Wong
Independent Sector
202-467-6122
media@independentsector.org
Marc Abizeid
Othering & Belonging Institute
925-434-4106
marcabizeid@berkeley.edu
