Money. It’s Also the Root of Good.

Main Stage: Will Reparations Close the Racial Wealth Gap?

To address the need for systemic change to achieve racial justice and liberation in our country, some funders are now employing a reparations strategy that acknowledges the impact of historical racism and focuses on restoring what was taken from Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color.

This Main Stage considered the hot-button topic of reparations and what is needed to restore, repair, and rebuild communities. Speakers discussed their roles in shaping reparations- and reparative-focused philanthropic funding models intended to increase wealth in Black and Native communities. They also addressed advocating for reparations-focused policy to repair generational harm done to Black people by government or corporations – and what is needed to move the entire sector in this direction.

Featured Speakers:

• Edgar Villanueva, Principal, Decolonizing Wealth Project and Liberated Capital
• Jennifer Reedy, President, Bush Foundation
• Janaé Bonsu, Senior Research Associate, National Black Women’s Justice Institute

Key Takeaways:

• Poverty is the product of public policy and theft facilitated by white supremacy.
• When we talk about this, we’re not just talking about what was done hundreds of years ago, but the accumulated disadvantage we have to atone for.
• We (Bush Foundation) do work related to racial justice because we believe it is the most important thing for us to be doing to fulfill the intent of Archie Bush.”
• Anything you are reading nationally about racial wealth gaps usually does not include Native Americans.
• While the reparation conversation in the United States stems from chattel slavery, the vestiges and policies continue to impact Black people in this country.
• Wealth is one of the most critical determinants of life outcomes. You can tie wealth to everything.
• Past policies that were transformational in increasing wealth did so for white people, but not for Black people and Native Americans.
• We have to be really, really honest about the critiques of philanthropy. We have to be open about how to do things differently.
• The approach we take to reparations should be determined by the harmed parties and what is needed to make them whole.
• We have inherited this history that we must do something about. Philanthropy must demonstrate leadership.
• We must use money as healing for those impacted by historic racism.

Early Learnings from the Community-Centric Fundraising Movement

The turmoil of the past 16 months has forced us to open our eyes to the unequal realities of our country and reimagine how intentional fundraising can help us better serve our communities. During this session we took a look at Community-Centric Fundraising, a movement pushing us to re-evaluate our modern-day fundraising practice and philosophy, and to shape a new strategy that views fundraising through a systems lens that reflects social and economic justice.

Featured Speakers:

• Rachel D’Souza-Siebert, MPPA, Founder & Principal, Gladiator Consulting
• David Dwight IV, Executive Director and Lead Strategy Catalyst, Forward Through Ferguson
• LadyAshley Gregory, Director of Community Partnerships, Forward Ferguson

Key Takeaways:

• Fundraising has to be grounded in racial analysis, racial equity, and social justice.
• We need to move away from the notion that the donor is always centered and bought into the mission.
• How do we move wealth from organizations that have it to organizations actually doing racially equity work?
• Who are you doing this work for? How can you decenter yourself and center those folks and their needs?
• We need balance. Lived experience and contributions of time to marginalized communities must be valued as equally as contributions of money.
• For executive directors, think about the education that needs to occur across the organization. Invest in building awareness for your staff, supporters, and board.
• Find your people and build your squad – that network of people who share your mindset and will be there for you when community-centered fundraising gets hard.