Fair Count转发了
Last week we had the pleasure of meeting in Atlanta with leaders working to build economic & political power in communities that have been historically and systemically excluded during Forward Global’s Immersion Journey to Atlanta. We dug into the racial wealth divide, exploring how bandaid fixes focusing on the individual are no match for the system that continues to reproduce wealth in those who already have it (Kindred Futures). We learned about interventions that, if carried to scale, could close that gap, such as baby bonds (Georgia Resilience & Opportunity Fund). We also explored what is needed to build Black wealth through entrepreneurship in Atlanta, creating communities of business owners and helping each accelerate (Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs). We unpacked what it takes to build trust in communities in Atlanta and across the South to encourage civic engagement: true and consistent connection with individuals, and curiosity rather than passing judgment or making assumptions are key (Fair Count & The New Georgia Project) as well as strengthening local news to better reflect the questions on community members’ minds (Capital B). We spent time reflecting on what is happening at the national level to the local: from country-wide backlash against DEI (American Pride Rises), to ensuring national policies and dollars allocated to advance equity actually reach local communities (Southern Economic Advancement Project). For those who are organizing within Black, Brown, queer, low-income and multiply-impacted communities (to use ORGANIZATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY’s precise language) the sustainability of their work is an ongoing concern. Recognizing that this work is long-term and needs long-term funding, some have started worker owned businesses and local loan funds in service of a solidarity economy (Barred Business & Pecan Milk Cooperative.?Recognizing that the speculative tendencies of the real estate market can drive displacement, The Guild shared their model of community-owned real estate where local residents own a stake in commercial property and can therefore define the direction of its management. As these innovations are underway at the local level, others are working to transform the norms and practices of community development across the country (Partnership for Southern Equity). Thanks to trusted collaborators and hosts for this Journey: Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Annie E. Casey Foundation, The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (The King Center). And a moment of gratitude for our speakers:?Tolton Ramal Pace, MPH, Amanda Thompson Jaquez, Fay Twersky, Roslyn M. Satchel, Rebecca Bukant DeHart, Lauren Williams, Hope Wollensack, Janelle Williams, PhD, Stacey Abrams, Yolande M. S. Tomlinson, Nijil Jamal Jones, Bridgette Simpson, Jovan Julien, Antariksh Tandon, Avery Ebron, Leo Smith, Sarah Beth Gehl, PhD, Malcolm Muhammad, PhD, Tsedey Betru, Suzanne Burnes - thank you!