IMPACT: Innovation + Philanthropy

IMPACT: Racial Equity Forum 2019

Wednesday, January 30, 2019, 8:00AM - 1:00PM

Beth El Hebrew Congregation, 3830 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA

IMPACT: Innovation + Philanthropy is a forum that convenes board, business, City, community, philanthropic, and nonprofit leaders to discuss innovations in philanthropy and strategies for building the capacity of nonprofit organizations and individuals to make a lasting impact in the community.

The 2019 IMPACT: Racial Equity Forum will feature Ben Hecht, President & CEO of Living Cities. Living Cities works with cross-sector leaders in cities to develop and scale new approaches geared at dramatically improving the economic well-being of low-income people. As president and CEO, Ben Hecht has seen how economic disparity wreaks havoc with lives and communities and how local leaders can take action to address the root causes of inequality themselves, rather than waiting for policy changes from above. Hecht will share a series of case studies from throughout the country focusing on real problems and real solutions. From improving educational opportunities to strengthening civic engagement to investing in women and people of color to start businesses, Hecht shows that we know how to create conditions where everyone can prosper, we just need to implement these proven strategies.

View the Agenda

Breakout sessions options include:

Allyship: Building Bridges and Empathy to Ensure Equality, Opportunity and Inclusion for Everyone

Do you feel pressed to address the overwhelming climate of injustice and divide, but don’t know what to do? Attend this Allyship workshop, presented by Whitney Parnell, CEO of Service Never Sleeps, and get empowered to be a part of the solution! This session will help equip you with tools to be an active ally for social justice and marginalized communities, to actively influence and educate others, and to constantly work on yourself.

Creating Meaningful Community Partnerships

Gain insights from George Mason University’s community-based, participatory, and action research in Alexandria and their partnership with Latino immigrants from Central America and African American families residing in public housing. Learn about transformational practices including critical consciousness raising, implicit bias raising, and reflexive practices necessary to build trusted partnerships across communities and cultures representing both privilege and disadvantage. The team will discuss strategies for building and sustaining Community Advisory Boards, empowering voice in decision-making, and addressing racial/class privilege. Presented by Beth Davis, Dr. Bethany Letiecq, Marlene Marquez, Amber Sansbury, Dr. Colleen Vesely and Alston Waller.

Operationalizing Racial Equity & Inclusion

JaNay Queen Nazaire and Ellen Ward will share lessons learned from Living Cities’ journey to put racial equity at the center of their work; including the internal work over the past five years to build the competencies of staff, organizational culture, practices and policies necessary for the organization to achieve its mission: to close the racial income and wealth gaps in US cities. While still very much on the journey, JaNay and Ellen will share reflections on progress, mistakes, and missteps along the way that could be helpful for other organizations that are starting or continuing on a similar journey.

Short Talks

History and Race in Alexandria: John Taylor Chapman

Racial Equity in the City of Alexandria: Chief Michael Brown and

Debra Collins, City of Alexandria

Interactive Luncheon

View Information from IMPACT 2017.

View information from IMPACT 2015.

View Information from IMPACT 2014.

View Information from IMPACT 2013.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor