LinkedIn Root Causes Fund: Pioneering a New Wave of Corporate Philanthropy for Global Social Justice - 3 big takeaways

I wrote this three-part series with the hopes of encouraging the social sector to do more to support the justice-oriented leaders and organizations doing the work of liberation day in and day out. I hope my fellow social impact practitioners will be encouraged and learn from my journey.? Here is part 1 and part 2.

We went into this project knowing we would learn a ton from this process but the learnings we walked away with far exceeded our expectations. Here are my biggest takeaways from starting the Global Root Causes fund at LinkedIn.

1. There is power in the collective!

When you invite other community leaders and seasoned facilitators into your impact process, it removes the pressure of needing to know everything, which frees you from operating out of traditional corporate perfectionism. I, along with my colleagues, have learned a new level of humility, deference, and accepting accountability in a way that wasn’t filled with shame or insecure leadership, but was instead harmonious and centered on integrity and justice. Traditional philanthropy and social impact spaces have taught us that we know best because we have the resources and power. On the contrary, the reality is that our collective humanity and the best solutions come when we share power and access.

2. The movement for liberation by the Afro-diasporic and Indigenous communities is beautiful and fills me with hope

This project was a gift to my spirit as Black man from the U.S.! Y’all, Brazil has such rich Black culture and is filled with joy, resistance, and collective care that was truly a privilege to learn about. I met leaders whose smiles and greetings left me with a sense of kinship and a feeling that no matter how high the mountain, there are always folks there to climb it and bring others along. Moreover, to build meaningful connections with Indigenous peoples truly touched me, as the space is so sacred and it’s a privilege to partner alongside them. As Martin Luther King, Jr., reminded us, “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” The more I’ve learned through this project, the more cemented that quote has become in my heart.

3. Stop managing for the “no’s” you don’t have, and walk in the audacity to ask

To be honest, when first dreaming of this project, I didn’t have strong confidence that we could embark on an effort like this, much less have community members participate or be able to support organizations that were unwavering in their commitments to justice. It was uncharted territory for LinkedIn and the broader industry. However, I learned that you don't have a “no” until you actually receive one. I walked into every stakeholder meeting with grace and love and told myself, “Kavell, cast the vision God gave you and see what happens.” My LinkedIn colleagues were so supportive and willing to commit to the journey of learning together, which reminded me to never lose hold of my convictions. We can sometimes lose ourselves in the act of anticipatory strategy at the cost of leaving behind our heart and desire for the fullest impact imaginable.

How you can get involved:

1. Follow, donate to, and support the five organizations in below! Their leadership and brilliance will bring about a more just world. The justice work they engage in is inextricably tied to the very idea of economic mobility and the challenges their communities face in the workforce.?
2. With community help, develop a root cause analysis. Continue to investigate why a particular injustice or social ill persists and the reasons why an impact initiative is necessary.
3. My fellow corporations and international philanthropic institutions – either start or continue to fund Black and Indigenous movements and leaders. The value of lived experience simply cannot be overstated!?

1. Das Pretas (LinkedIn, Instagram) – A social innovation and technology lab dedicated to promoting socio-inclusive empowerment and awareness of marginalized communities in Brazil. The organization's work includes providing access to education for Black female entrepreneurs in marginalized areas, digital inclusion, and advocacy for significant policy changes supporting the development of the Black population.?

• Leader: Priscila Gama (LinkedIn, Instagram)

2. Associa??o Mulheres Quilombolas Em A??o Dandara dos Palmares (Instagram) – Founded by Quilombola women, the organization aims to empower individuals affected by social inequalities and domestic violence. Its focus is on generating economic mobility, creating jobs, and advocating for more equitable community outcomes.?

• Leader: Sirlene Santos (LinkedIn)

3. Associa??o das Mulheres Munduruku Wakoborun –?

The association, formed by hundreds of Munduruku women, has a mission to support the resistance movement of the Munduruku Ipereg Ayu people. Their objectives include increasing the participation of warrior women in decision-making, exploring alternative income-generating avenues, advocating for the demarcation of indigenous lands, and defending Munduruku territories against destructive projects.

• Leader: Collective Indigenous Leadership

4. Sim Eu Sou do Meio (LinkedIn, Instagram) – The organization is dedicated to lifting the community out of social, economic, and political invisibility by championing the digital and technological inclusion of young individuals and women aged 35 and above, with a strong emphasis on workforce entry. Sim! Eu Sou do Meio also engages in educational, cultural, and sports activities, fostering socio-productive inclusion to generate income through entrepreneurship. This includes activities such as baking, pastry making, eyebrow design, eyelash extensions, and hair braiding, catering to both cis and trans women. In 2023, the organization directly impacted 1,250 students and provided over 4,500 monthly services through the Raízes do Meio Solidarity Kitchen.

• Leader: Deborah Silva (LinkedIn, Instagram)

5. Malungu (Instagram): Malungu is a non-profit civil association established by Quilombola communities in the State of Pará, Brazil, advocating for human rights based on the pillars of resistance, identity, and rights. It emerged as one of the outcomes of the struggles waged by Quilombola women and men who, since the late 1980s, have been demanding the guarantee of their territorial rights. To better coordinate with communities across all municipalities, Malungu has five Regional Coordinations, each with its respective Quilombola representatives responsible for daily actions in the communities.

• Leader: Collective Leadership