By Nyia Hawkins, Ambitio US Fellow
During the first week of June, the Ambitio US team, along with 20 aligned funders, Economic Trailblazer grantees, and movement leaders, set out on an ambitious (pun intended) learning journey across two Southern states. Reflecting on the sixth year of the Ambitio US initiative, we embarked on an immersive learning journey to strengthen philanthropy’s relationship infrastructure by exploring the patterns of erasure and exploitation at the root of our economic systems and highlighting efforts to shift cultural and structural approaches toward course correction and repair. As capital stewards, it is crucial to remember our economic roots, both the celebrated and those in need of making amends, to reimagine and invest in our collective future.
Our journey began in Montgomery, Alabama, a pivotal site in Black history and the Civil Rights Movement. On the first night, we gathered over a warm Southern dinner, setting intentions for the transformative journey ahead. The next day, we traveled to the ancestral lands of the Maskoke people at the Ekvn-Yefolecv eco-village. They shared their journey of reclaiming their environmental stewardship role by building a technologically innovative, culturally rich, and ecologically conscious community. We hopped into the back of pickup trucks, watched bison lumber through pastures, and sat down for farm-to-table meals. Many of the attendees described it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The next morning, we visited the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), often called The Lynching Museum. We explored The Legacy Museum, The National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and the newly opened Freedom Monument Sculpture Park. This part of the tour helped provide historical context and a stark reminder of the enslavement of African peoples and the displacement and genocide of Native Americans, which are at the root of our economic system and the prison-industrial complex.
On Thursday morning, we took an 8-hour bus trip to North Carolina. Here, we toured several sites that are part of The Industrial Commons, a cooperative incubator in a rural area of Appalachia, that is helping to rebuild a working class based on locally rooted wealth. In a region that lost 85% of its textile jobs since 1990, they are leading an economic revitalization effort that empowers textile workers through ownership, democratic decision-making, and profit-sharing.
There are too many lessons and experiences to share. So, here are just a few takeaways:
The Importance of Being Present : Participants who stayed for the entire journey said they had the most fruitful experience. The immersive nature of the trip, combined with the structured learning agenda, created a profound impact that verbal or written descriptions cannot fully capture.
Relational Infrastructure : The emphasis on relationship-building was a key element of the learning journey. The curated group of funders, grantees, and movement leaders, along with the programming, helped break down power dynamics and foster genuine connections.
Making an Impact Through Philanthropy : The journey underscored that philanthropy is most effective when it follows the lead of grassroots movement leaders. Participants discussed the importance of humility, openness, and willingness to learn in supporting financial self-determination and a more equitable economy.
This immersive experience showed that economic systems extend far beyond financial success to include environmental and community well-being. We hope all the attendees can use this experience to build bridges with frontline movement leaders and within their organizations, connecting aligned work and foundation goals that are often hard to establish in an office environment. The Ambitio US team looks forward to our next learning journey, inspired by our grantees, their work, and the lessons we learn together.
This article was originally published on Medium. Read it on Medium →