Reimagining Access: Philanthropic Leadership in the Post-Affirmative Action Era

When: 
Tuesday, October 8, 2024 -
3:00pm to 5:00pm EDT
Where: 
Philanthropy New York, 320 East 43rd Street
Members of PNY & Partner Orgs: 
$0.00
Non-Members: 
$150.00
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Over a year has passed since the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Affirmative Action reversed decades of progress in achieving diversity and equity in higher education. The repercussions of this ruling are becoming increasingly clear, with recent data revealing a significant decline in Black and Latinx student enrollment at M.I.T. and substantial shifts in the racial makeup of prestigious colleges such as Amherst and Tufts. While specific data on the impact on young men of color remains limited, historical trends show they are disproportionately affected when it comes to disparities in enrollment and graduation rates. Coinciding with this, we also mark the 10th anniversary of President Obama's My Brother's Keeper initiative and the Campaign for Black Male Achievement – initiatives that have actively addressed these historical trends and achieved significant progress. This convergence underscores the critical importance and timeliness of this conversation. 

Please join us for a vital discussion on how philanthropy is navigating this changing landscape. We'll explore the historical role of philanthropy in supporting the enrollment and success of Black and Latinx communities in higher education and examine the challenges posed by the backlash against DEI efforts and increased scrutiny of racially equitable funding. Furthermore, we'll hear from leaders who have remained steadfast in their commitment, courageously making critical investments even in the face of a challenging political environment. 

What will you learn? 

  • Gain a deeper understanding of how the Supreme Court's decision has affected enrollment and diversity in higher education, particularly for Black and Latinx communities and how philanthropy is responding.  
  • Learn about the historical involvement of philanthropy in supporting the persistence of people of color in higher education and the challenges it faces in the current political climate. 
  • Hear from leaders who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to investing in racially equitable education despite facing backlash and adversity. 

Speakers

Who should attend? 

All interested funders in higher education, public policy, and related roles. What to expect: panel discussion followed by Q&A. 

How do you sign up?  

3 PM to 5 PM Program 

This is an in-person event. Please plan to arrive 15-30 minutes before the program starts and be prepared to show your ID at the registration table. Space is limited and will be on a first come, first served basis. 

Members: To register yourself and/or a colleague at your organization, please log in and click the “Register Now” link above. (No fee.)   

Guests of Collaborators: Please email Ariane Cruz, Manager of Public Policy & Collaboration, with your name, title, and organizational affiliation. Please indicate by which organizer you were invited. (No fee.)   

Non-Member Funders: Please email register@philanthropynewyork.org. ($150 fee.) 

What else should you know?

  • All guests should enter on the 43rd Street side of the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice and have their photo ID (matching the name on our registration list). Due to building protocol, we cannot accommodate walk-ins -- any additional guests who are unregistered will not be permitted entrance.  
  • We strongly encourage you to arrive on time for event check-in (2:30 PM) to secure a seat as we are first come, first serve. If we reach maximum capacity, those who arrive late for check-in may not be guaranteed a seat. 
  • All bags will be subject to security screening. Large bags and suitcases must be checked with security. 
  • Visitors should follow all posted signage and instructions from our security team. 

Please email register@philanthropynewyork.org with any questions. 

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