Food for Thought: A Conversation Series

Food for Thought is a series of conversations hosted by the Committee for Equitable and Inclusive Philanthropy for PNY members to discuss “equity” as a tool to buttress their philanthropic practice and as a lens through which to understand current events. Rather than follow a set agenda, the conversations provide a forum for members to engage in informal, interactive discussions exploring issues of equity and inclusion by analyzing and discussing recent articles, research, editorials, and other media.

Register today:

Bring your lunch and join your peers at these lively conversations.  Beverages and treats will be provided.

To learn more about Food for Thought, contact Kimberly Roberts at kroberts@philanthropynewyork.org.

In Mixed Company: People of Color in White Spaces

Traditional media and social media alike have been flooded with stories of people of color being targeted as they live, work, study, and otherwise navigate “white spaces.” Are these encounters a mere growing pain as society becomes more equitable and inclusive or a sign of regression? How does such targeting show up in more subtle ways in our everyday lives and work? How can we harness the benefits of creating and holding space specifically for mixed company? Is there a role that philanthropy can play to create and protect mixed space?

Resources

Links to articles exploring people of color in spaces and placemaking that centers the experiences of people of color are below for your reference.

The Fight for a Fair Vote

In a healthy democracy, voters choose their representatives through elections. But when representatives get to draw their own electoral district lines, legislators are choosing their voters instead. This calculated practice undermines the power of voters and the democratic process is stood on its head.  Combined with other voter suppression methods – including, voter ID requirements, roll purges, and closure of polling sites – the implementation of policy that better reflects a changed and changing America is blocked. Does gerrymandering and voter suppression de-stabilize American democracy and, more broadly, our society? If so, what can we do to counter such efforts? How can philanthropy support the fight for a fair vote?

Resources

Links to articles exploring efforts to diminish or suppress the right to vote and what philanthropy can do about it are below for your reference.

Empathy in an Era of Social Division and Toxic Politics

A healthy society depends on its citizens having the urge and ability to care for others. Today, however, political and social animosity has nearly paralyzed federal government and limits our society’s ability to solve pressing domestic issues. Can empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, help us sew our country back together? If so, how do we promote empathy and is it too late? What role could philanthropy have in advancing empathy in our society?

Resources

Links to articles exploring empathy and the important role it plays in society are below for your reference.