Healing, Bridging, Thriving: A Summit on Arts and Culture in our Communities
By Cate Fox, Ambitio US Program Director
At the end of January, the White House Domestic Policy Council and the National Endowment of the Arts invited 500 artists, practitioners, academics, funders, and policymakers to Washington, D.C., to gather for the first of its kind one-day meet-up called Healing, Bridging, Thriving: A Summit on Arts and Culture in our Communities. CCI President & CEO Angie Kim and I joined our colleagues from around the country for the pre-gatherings and the in-person summit. It was wonderful to be in the room with great thinkers and friends (some of whom I hadn’t seen since before the pandemic.)
The formal agenda for the day of the summit was broken up into three sections mirroring the title of the event (Healing, Bridging, Thriving), with presentations from national figures, including performers, arts leaders, and policymakers. It served as an external exclamation of the federal government’s commitment to creatives through grant programs that included but extended beyond the National Endowment for the Arts. Seeing policymakers, like the Surgeon General, White House Senior Advisor, representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, White House Domestic Policy Council, and Health and Human Services, and Congressional representatives, on the stage discussing the importance of the involvement of artists and creatives in issues critical to our democracy felt like our sector was being seen in a new way.
They made the case that arts and cultural practices are integral to a holistic sense of community wellness and foster feelings of belonging that are critical to our well-being. You can catch the livestream from the event here . If you are interested in the details, our colleague Ted Russell, Director of Arts Strategy and Ventures at The Kenneth Rainin Foundation, wrote an excellent summary of the day .
If your time is limited, I suggest listening to National Endowment Chair Dr. María Rosario Jackson’s opening remarks and a closing reflection from Marc Bamuthi Joseph (Vice President of Social Impact at the Kennedy Center). Chair Jackson reminded us that art happens everywhere; the impulse to create is in all of us. She also discussed the importance of creativity as a process. This shows up in our work with Ambitio US Economic Trailblazers, where the arts and creative practices are about everyone participating in something together in order to strengthen the community as much as they are about producing an end product. It made me think about the complicated history and implications of arts funding in philanthropy. In his closing reflection, Bamuthi speaks to the artist’s heart — can our democracy survive without inspiration or belief? If racism is structural, then doesn’t anti-racism also have to be structural? How can we serve communities? What is our role in an equitable future? After a day of amazing presentations, I was so glad to sit with these big questions.
The cross-governmental cooperation on stage and the audience full of amazing arts leaders is a reminder to us of the incredible power that can be harnessed when we share goals and a vision for a better future. This is a tribute to National Endowment Chair Dr. María Rosario Jackson and her staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to build relationships with those in other areas of government service and those in the field to determine what could be done together. Congratulations on a tremendous day! And let’s dream about what to do next.
This article was originally published on Medium. Read it on Medium →
A Changing Workforce Requires a Changing Approach to Worker Benefits and Protections
By Nyia Hawkins, Ambitio US Fellow
“Think of every single gig worker as a small business owner,” said Center for Cultural Innovation President and CEO Angie Kim at a recent panel discussion hosted at The Aspen Institute in Washington.
It’s the quote that defined her comments for me as I sat in the audience of the think tank event, ‘ How Benefits Make Jobs Better .’ The Institute’s now former Director of the Future of Work Initiative, Shelly Steward, moderated the discussion, which brought together voices from across the employment spectrum. The other panelists include Tonya Hallett, Amazon’s Vice President for People eXperience Technology (PXT), who spoke about the company’s innovative approaches to employee benefits, and Betsy Biemann, CEO of Coastal Enterprises, who shared success stories of small businesses making significant strides in offering competitive benefits. Panelist Emily Martin, Chief Program Officer from the National Women’s Law Center highlighted state-level policy advancements.
Though, as a fellow for CCI’s Ambitio US initiative, I am admittedly biased, the paradigm shift Kim spoke of helped frame the discussion for me and for policymakers, funders, employers, and workers who seek to address the disparities in access to benefits and protections that currently plague our labor market. That paradigm shift undergirds CCI’s Sol Center for Liberated Work (Sol), our research and advocacy arm. Sol also incubates projects that reimagine work and social protections for all workers.
So, as I looked at gig workers through the lens of entrepreneurship, I didn’t just consider the people who drive Uber or deliver for Doordash. I thought about the population of people who might be anything from architects to hair stylists, submitting 1099 tax forms around this time of year rather than — the more common — W-2s. The percentage of Americans doing freelance work is up 11% over the last decade, from 53 million in 2014 to 64 million in 2023, according to Statista.com , and that number is growing. The rise of gig and freelance work puts increasing pressure on a critical gap in our benefits and protection systems, where a significant portion of the workforce is without the safety net traditionally provided by full-time employment.
This perspective is not just a semantic shift, it is a call to action for creating a more inclusive and comprehensive benefits system. By recognizing gig workers as entrepreneurs of their own micro-enterprises, we can start to develop policies and systems that offer protections and benefits to all, irrespective of their employment status. A broadened understanding of who constitutes a worker is essential for crafting legislation and support mechanisms that reflect the realities of a rapidly changing economy.
Kim is based in California — the world’s largest sub-national economy — which has started experimenting with portable retirement benefits. Unfortunately, those benefits are “…still conferred to only those going from employer to employer and not necessarily for independent workers” said Kim. “But, those (experiments) create these bright spots of opportunity to say, “How can we expand that?”
It was also exciting to hear her bring pooled risk funds into the discussion as a financial tool to aggregate risk for sick and family leave protection for gig workers. Drawing inspiration from the successes of movements like Ambitio US grantee Debt Collective , Kim suggested that gig workers and others outside traditional employment structures can organize for greater influence and security. This collective action can drive significant change, showcasing the power of workers’ voices when mobilized around shared concerns.
This vision not only reflects an aspiration for a more equitable workforce but also underscores the urgent need for innovative thinking and collaborative problem-solving among all stakeholders.
This article was originally published on Medium. Read it on Medium →
EB PREC Turns Five: A Milestone of Community Empowerment and Impact
By Nyia Hawkins, Ambitio US Fellow
We would like to recognize the 5-year anniversary of Ambitio US investee East Bay Permanent Real Estate Cooperative (EB PREC) , a multi-stakeholder real estate cooperative. EB PREC’s remarkable achievements and profound impact have stretched far beyond its Northern California’s East Bay community, making it a model for other communities. Laura Poppiti, Deputy Director of the Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI), attended the celebration and described it as a moment filled with “So, much joy!”
Expanding Community Ownership and Engagement: Growing from an initial group of 85 community members to 748 member-owners, EB PREC’s grassroots organizing has fostered a strong sense of collective ownership and participation. This expansion is a testament to the cooperative’s commitment to inclusivity and empowerment in real estate development.
A Groundbreaking Direct Public Offering (DPO) : EB PREC’s innovative approach to financing has been a pivotal aspect of their success. Their DPO raised over $4 million, drawing in nearly 400 investor-owners. Their pioneering work in securing SEC qualification for a unique DPO offering paves the way for larger-scale projects and broader community involvement.
First Dividends Declaration and Distribution: A landmark moment in EB PREC’s journey was declaring and distributing dividends to investor-owners in 2022 and 2023. This financial milestone demonstrates the viability and sustainability of EB PREC’s model, rewarding those who invested not just their funds but their faith in a community-led initiative.
Transforming Spaces for Social Good: The acquisition and revitalization of six properties, including cultural landmarks like Esther’s Orbit Room and vital community spaces like the Prince Street Co-op, showcase EB PREC’s commitment to preserving and nurturing spaces that hold significant value for the community. These efforts have not only provided stable and affordable housing but have also served as centers for cultural and social activities, reinforcing the role of community spaces in enhancing the quality of life for the East Oakland community.
Setting a Precedent for Future Initiatives: EB PREC’s journey illuminates a path for others to emulate. Their model, combining community investment, cooperative management, and sustainable financing, provides a blueprint for addressing the challenges of housing affordability and community development.
EB PREC’s fifth anniversary is a celebration of past achievements and a reaffirmation of their ongoing commitment to community-led development and social impact. Their journey is an inspiring example of what can be accomplished when communities come together to reimagine and reshape their environments for the collective good.
This article was originally published on Medium. Read it on Medium →
New Year, New Team Members: Welcome, Jonathon and Hannah!
By Cate Fox, Ambitio US Director and Nichole M. Christian, Narrative Shifter
While it is hard to believe, Ambitio US is marking the end of year five (of no more than ten years). We are strategizing about sectoral and relational infrastructure for alternative economy work, supporting funders as they explore movement-aligned ways of investing, and determining how best to strengthen the field as our initiative approaches its sunset. We have mapped out some big plans for 2024!
Ambitio US is thrilled to welcome two new members to our team — Jonathon Freeman and Hannah Dominica Chua. Jonathon and Hannah bring perspectives, leadership, and lived experiences that will move Ambitio US to the next level. We all look forward to seeing you in the new year.
Meet Jonathon:
Jonathon Freeman (he, him, his) is a Program Officer for Ambitio US , CCI’s time-limited initiative, which encourages the development of burgeoning alternative economies and fresh social contracts in ways that artists and cultural communities can achieve financial freedom. Jonathon brings over 20 years of experience in community-based arts and culture work. He is a founding member of the Native Roots Network, an Indigenous community development organization that, most notably, has curated and organized Our Story: Native Art Exhibitions, advocated for Indigenous cultural revitalization, the protection of Indigenous lands and sacred sites, and is incubating Co-Lab Shasta, an intercultural solidarity economy development initiative. Previously, Jonathon served as the Program Director of Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples and as the Board of Directors Vice-Chair for the Local Indians for Education, Inc. His most recent role was as a Community Development Coordinator within the HHSA Public Health Branch, where he facilitated a team of Community Organizers and Policy Analysts in equity and well-being initiatives.
Jonathon has an M.A. in Social Justice and Community Organizing from Prescott College, a B.S. in Parks and Natural Resource Management from California State University, Chico, and an A.A. in Indigenous Studies from Deganawidah-Quetzalcoatl University.
Meet Hannah:
Hannah Dominica Chua will occupy dual duties as a Program Associate supporting CCI’s Quick Grant program and Ambitio US . Born in the Philippines and raised on unceded Kumeyaay land (aka San Diego), Hannah (they/she) is a Pilipinx/ Chinese cultural organizer who works at the intersections of labor, education, and arts activism. As a first-generation college student and immigrant, Hannah is passionate about alternative modes of knowledge production and universal access to culturally responsive education.
She believes in the transformative power of storytelling as a tool to cultivate the radical imagination and inspire collective action. Hannah is committed to supporting the visions and livelihoods of arts practitioners and cultural workers engaged in the difficult work of reimagining a more just and equitable world for the most marginalized and systems-impacted communities. Before joining CCI, Hannah worked as the Systems and Research Coordinator at LA Commons , a community-grounded arts nonprofit empowering South LA artists, culture-bearers, youth, and community members through issue-driven, public art activations and advocacy.
Hannah is also an alum of Arts for LA’s ACTIVATE: Delegate program and is a member of the Pilipinx grassroots organization, GABRIELA Los Angeles. They graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in World Arts and Cultures and a minor in Pilipinx Studies. In their free time, they enjoy going to concerts, thrifting/upcycling second-hand clothing, and listening to really, really long video essays.
This article was originally published on Medium. Read it on Medium →
Charting a More AmbitioUS Legacy for New Economy Builders
By Cate Fox, Ambitio US Director
As we mark five years, the mid-point, of Ambitio US , we feel a continued, and even escalating, urgency for the kind of experimental systems change work that this program was designed to support. The relevance of this work reveals itself across our grantee and investee portfolio almost daily. Our Economic Trailblazers are building momentum individually and for the sector as they demonstrate how powerful community ownership and governance are as a means for self-determination. Organizations in our Artist Ownership of Assets portfolio are leading important conversations about how artists can own their political voice, how Indigenous communities can create community wealth-building strategies that deepen their connection to their cultures and to each other, and how cultural practices can become not only viable cooperative businesses but a way to bridge gaps in racially diverse communities. Cultural communities under threat are designing systems that work better for them — AND for all of us. We need to listen and follow their lead.
We felt that way in 2019 when Ambitio US started, and we still feel that way, especially as we face an increasingly polarized political and economic environment. Recent threats to shut the government down, partisan bickering about basic human rights, and a spate of United States Supreme Court rulings make this a bleak time to pursue economic justice and systems change. But this is exactly the moment to recommit ourselves. Angie Kim, CCI President & CEO, reflected in a Medium blog post Keeping On: About Last Week’s SCOTUS Rulings (cci-arts.medium.com) , that the Supreme Court rulings “are likely to help usher in new and wider forms of a society of haves and have-nots, which leads to social unrest, economic destabilization, and undermining of democracy.” We know the work of Ambitio US grantees and investees is an antidote to that division and dehumanization.
A few other highlights from this incredible year include:
Ambitio US was invited to write the lead article ( How Philanthropy Can Show Up for an Arts Solidarity Economy ) in Non-Profit Quarterly for a series called Remember the Future: Culture and Systems Change . We also had the opportunity to highlight the work of grantees and investees at the national convening for Neighborhood Funders Group about funding movements building power.
Ambitio US partnered with CCI’s advocacy, research, and policy arm, Sol Center for Liberated Work , to fund two research projects. Together, we supported The Workers Lab to explore gig workers’ needs and the solutions that will impact them most. The research is being led by The Workers Lab and the Aspen Institute Future of Work Initiative . Similarly, we made a joint investment in a research project led by the Urban Institute to document cultural communities’ wealth-building practices as a means of cultural preservation and to socialize alternative economic solutions that prioritize community ownership. These research projects will provide insight for us and the field.
The beauty of being a time-limited initiative is that each year is an invitation to get clearer about our accomplishments, what we are learning, our next right move, and of course, what the longer-term effect of this initiative will be. Here is what I know: we are supporting a network of economy builders that brings to life the kinds of just and freeing alternative systems everyone needs and deserves. The progress brought about by movements for racial justice that are advocating for political and economic change is on the verge of being undermined and potentially erased. The true measure of one’s commitment, resolve, and energy shines brightest in times of uncertainty. Those who refuse to back down and instead face these existential threats head-on often go on to achieve remarkable feats. We are leaning into this work and following the lead of those charting new pathways for a better future despite a world that would have us retreat in defeat .
This article was originally published on Medium. Read it on Medium →
Building the Future: Grantmakers in the Arts Annual Conference 2023
By Cate Fox, Ambitio US Director
Each Fall, our staff looks forward to attending, reconnecting, and learning alongside colleagues from around the country at the Grantmakers in the Arts conference. This year the theme was “Revisiting Pasts to Build the Future,” and it took place in Puerto Rico. The Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI) was asked to present four sessions and help curate a pre-conference track focused on individual artists. It was a terrific opportunity to highlight some of the amazing people in our network.
Ambitio US presented a session called “I Was Told There Would Be No Math: An Artist-Led Conversation about the Inextricable Links Among Economics, Culture, and Place.” We invited two grantees, Nkuli Shongwe from Nexus Community Partners and Anasa Troutman from Historic Clayborn Temple and the BIG We Foundation, to share stories about their journeys into economic reimagining. While the three of us had a great time planning the session, we were unsure if anyone would attend. After all, we included economics in our title!
When we got to the room, we realized that we underestimated its popularity. People streamed in. We had a full house by the time we started, with some folks sitting on the floor. Anasa led the room in a meditation, inviting us to conceptualize the world as we want it to be. With the energy of what is possible, Nkuli began our session with reflections from her life and her work with the North Star Black Cooperative Fellowship in the Twin Cities. Community wealth, she reminded us, is not just a question of individual financial well-being but a holistic measure of wellness for community members. Are our members healthy? Connected? Are all people (young and elders) engaged in the life of the community? Do they have the freedom to express themselves and their identities? These cooperatives are beautiful expressions of people-centered systems, and economic benefit is just one of their many facets.
Anasa then shared how her career as an artist quickly transformed into cultural strategy work. And, it turns out that it is not a big leap from cultural strategy work to economic system reimagining, which is what she is doing at both Historic Clayborn Temple in Memphis and with the BIG We. A conference blogger attended the session and captured these thoughts . While it was not a path she planned on taking, nor has it been easy, her willingness to experiment and trailblaze to ensure African-American history and culture can survive and thrive comes at a critical time for Memphis.
People see arts funding as a way to support music, visual arts, dance, arts education, and theater, which is accurate. But arts funding can (and arguably should) take an economic systems-change approach, too. Nkuli, Anasa, and many of our grantees are creating communities with community wealth-building and social systems that embed creativity and self-expression. The electricity and interest from the room full of arts funders communicated to us that people are interested in this connection and, hopefully, through their funding, they can also make it more visible to the public.
This article was originally published on Medium. Read it on Medium →
AmbitioUS Black Possibilities in Boston!
By Nyia Hawkins, Ambitio US Fellow
Ambitio US invited changemakers from five organizations to join us at the Assembly of Black Possibilities , an October 2023 fall assembly hosted by Boston Ujima , the Economic Trailblazer behind the nation’s inaugural democratically-governed investment fund. The convening presented an opportunity for Ambitio US to invest in the relational infrastructure that drives the organizations and endeavors we support. Centering Black culture, more than 150 people gathered for the opening discussion, which started with a rhythmic whisper-and-shout call-and-response of, “Black possibilities, Black possibilities, Black possibilities…” Boston Ujima Executive Director Nia Evans called the convening, “…an impact investing conference like no other.”
The gathering was a powerful convergence of working-class individuals, Black and Indigenous community leaders, people of color, and solidarity economy practitioners, along with entrepreneurs, funders, and investors, all of whom shared a commitment to Black community self-determination. The structure of the event provided a platform for funders and changemakers to be in the same room discussing learnings, lessons, and best practices related to five content tracks: Arts, Black on Black Investing, Impact Capital, Land & Real Estate, and Organizing.
We invited cultural strategist and restorative economics practitioner Anasa Troutman. She is leading the redevelopment of Historic Clayborn Temple , a Memphis-based nonprofit organization and cultural anchor with a long history of Black social activism. Anasa co-founded The BIG We Foundation , which sent producer Renisha Mayes, a media company and foundation raising money for an integrated capital investment fund to invest in Memphis neighborhoods facing disrepair and disenfranchisement. Those two organizations combined their individual grants to bring an additional community activist, Veda Rose Robbins. Victoria Jones, Executive Director of the TONE Collective also in Memphis, is helping to lead the $50 million redevelopment of a 10-acre industrial site for Black creatives and the residents of the Orange Mound neighborhood. She scaled down her expenses to bring Tone Development Director Willie McDonald with her to the Assembly. We also invited two organizations that Ambitio US met recently. Dan and Ebony Edwards are the co-founders of Neighborbuilt , a holistic neighborhood-scale redevelopment firm that is rebuilding blighted neighborhoods and creating community ownership opportunities in Kansas City, Missouri. We also invited Jazale’s Art Studio and HomeWorks: Bronzeville Co-Founder Vedale Hill. Vedale is an artist and community advocate leading an effort to redevelop homes into live-work spaces for creatives in a historically Black neighborhood in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Systemic change does not happen in isolation. It happens in community. Still, it can often feel isolating to changemakers, often navigating the exhilarating yet exhausting journey of pioneering new paradigms. These individuals work long days (at compensation below market compensation rates) to meet the many needs of their communities and stakeholders. If they are Black, Brown, migrant, or a member of another marginalized community, they are also likely facing intersecting forms of oppression. Providing professional development grants for frontline changemakers to attend the Assembly of Black Possibilities with our team supports our collective and individual growth, helps them develop new skills and insights, opens the door to future collaborations among attendees, and reinforces our role as colleagues and allies.
The weight of such monumental tasks can take a toll on changemakers like Anasa, Victoria, Dan, Ebony, Vedale, and their colleagues. Without robust support systems and strong relationships with like-minded individuals, they can become susceptible to burnout, disillusionment, loss of direction, or feeling like they have to rebuild the wheel. Feedback from those we invited suggested that this was an invigorating convening for them; it provided emotional sustenance, intellectual camaraderie, and reaffirmed the mission of their work.
We, as funders and allies, must understand that true systemic change isn’t solely about policies, strategies, or frameworks; it’s deeply personal. These professional development grants underscore our commitment to not just the causes but the people championing them. By investing in both relational and organizational infrastructure, we hope to create a ripple effect, fostering a more robust, resilient, and effective movement toward closing the racial wealth gap, building Black and Brown wealth, and shifting capital, land, and power to communities that have historically been marginalized. Our vision is holistic. By supporting the heart and soul of the movement — the changemakers — we are amplifying the impact of the organizations they represent. We are not only building structures; we are nurturing the very spirit that fuels them.
This article was originally published on Medium. Read it on Medium →
AmbitioUS Grantees Vu Le and Solidaire Network Receive Prestigious NCRP Awards
By Cate Fox, Ambitio US Director
Hearty congratulations are in order for Ambitio US grantees Vu Le and Solidaire Network , both of whom recently received awards from the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) . Vu, author of the Nonprofit AF blog, was announced as the inaugural winner of NCRP’s “Pablo Eisenberg Memorial Prize” for Philanthropy Criticism.
Solidaire received the “Mover and Shaker” award for Bold Peer Organizing. Award winners lead by example. They risk their comfort, dollars, and voice to stand by communities who work daily to create a fairer, more just society. We all benefit from their work. Thank you, Vu and Solidaire, for all that you do! We applaud the NCRP selection committee for these and all of its excellent choices for this year’s IMPACT Awards.
This article was originally published on Medium. Read it on Medium →
New Fellow Joins the Fold
By Nichole M. Christian, Narrative Shifter
Ambitio US is pleased to welcome Nyia Hawkins as the initiative’s first-ever fellow.
Hawkins comes to the new role, and the Center for Cultural Innovation, after a long career in broadcast journalism, where she specialized in business and economics coverage. “The fellowship is giving me direct experience related to integrated capital and impact investing tools that are rooted in real-life examples,’’ says Hawkins. “It’s energizing.”
Prior to joining, she worked as Cheddar News’ Executive Producer for Special Projects. Hawkins has also reported and produced content for China Global Television Network (CGTN ) and the Associated Press.
In her role as the Ambitio US Fellow, Hawkins will work closely with Ambitio US Director Cate Fox. “We are delighted to have Nyia as our inaugural fellow,’’ Fox said. “In her previous career as a journalist, she became curious about how those economic systems could be reimagined in ways that center communities most extracted from. She is leaning into that curiosity with a deeper exploration of impact investing and how everything from the investment terms to the investments themselves can be values-aligned and further the goals of community self-determination.’’
Hawkins, a native of Indiana, earned an M.A. in Broadcast Journalism from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism and a B.A. in American Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. “This is a career transition for me,’’ Hawkins explains. “Ambitio US is investing in me the way we invest in our grantees/investees. It’s a compliment and a vote of confidence that I’m running with.”
Her burgeoning passion for understanding impact investing shows up in other areas of her career. Hawkins previously led initiatives aimed at disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline and advancing economic and racial equity in Latin America through narrative change.
Fox says Ambitio US funders and grantees can expect to hear more from Hawkins as she pairs her past experiences with new hands-on knowledge in her role.
This article was originally published on Medium. Read it on Medium →
Jessica Norwood is Building an Economy She Can Love
By Nichole M. Christian, Narrative Shifter
Jessica Norwood is Building an Economy She Can Love
When it comes to the voice and visions of Jessica Norwood, Ambitio US is admittedly biased about this trailblazing leader.
But come this October, Norwood’s name and her notions about the need to rethink and redesign economic equity in America are sure to be topics on the minds of many with the launch of her new book, Believe in You Money.
Norwood is the founder and CEO of Runway , an Ambitio US grantee focused on establishing more generative and community-anchored funding pipelines for BIPOC entrepreneurs in Oakland, Chicago, Boston, and across the American South. In the book, Norwood details six distinct ways capital can be used by all as a powerful tool for addressing racial injustice, drawing on interviews with fellow wisdom keepers, investors, scientists, artists, lawyers, faith leaders, and financial activists. Combined with her history of leadership in finance, Norwood shares insights intended to fuel “a movement of resources to invest in Black joy, creativity, and brilliance.’
“This book,’’ Norwood tells Ambitio US “ is a both a testament to the ancestors who invested all that they had in us because they believed in a future where they would be loved and a shout-out to each of you who taught me the power of investing early and lovingly in Black innovators and creators — we are the change we have been waiting for! ‘’
Our partners at Next City also recently interviewed Norwood for an in-depth look at some of the thinking that shaped her debut book and continues to guide her work as a new systems builder.
Here are a few snippets of what Norwood had to say about her reimagining of America’s economic future through a more “loving” and unapologetically Black lens determined to help spark and literally boot-strap social repair. “An economy that loves Black people sees you; it knows what’s happened in your life,’’ Norwood tells Next City. “ It’s already saying, “I want to get you moving in this space. And I want to give you the most generous and loving and thoughtful start.”
While Ambitio US will be following along and of course cheering the Oct. 10th official launch of “Believe in You Money,” we’re thrilled by the opportunity to help others get excited too. In fact, Norwood’s request of all who choose to purchase her blueprint is aimed straight at hearts and philanthropy’s most open minds.
“I would ask every person to sit with this and think about where we are in the world and what would make us more loving to one another. What would bring us more humanity? What can we do that could be generationally impactful and immediately impactful? How can we invest in people’s visions and dreams?’’
She adds: “It’s also important to tell the truth about how we got here and how this financial system really works; the ways that our financial institutions have been created around exploitation and violence. If we don’t tell the truth about that, then we can’t correct it.’’
This article was originally published on Medium. Read it on Medium →