This progressive philanthropy conference, this time held in L.A., stems from the coalition of equity-focused philanthropic affinity groups called Change Philanthropy which works to “integrate diversity, inclusion, and social justice into philanthropy practice.”

Conference highlights included connecting with like-minded funders, those focused on Trust-based Philanthropy and on listening to community partners to inform our work. One area of particular interest at the Unity Summit was a panel on Reparations. We learned from former alderwoman Robin Rue Simmons about the trend-setting work of Evanston, Illinois, which passed the nation’s first municipally-funded reparations legislation for Black residents. Financial payments to community members began in January 2022 and Rue Simmons currently leads FirstRepair, which seeks to share their learnings nationally.

The same panel also featured Damario Solomon-Simmons who leads Justice for Greenwood, which seeks repair and reparations for the Black district of Tulsa, Oklahoma which was bombed during the 1921 Massacre. While Evanston is actively engaged in making amends for structural inequities that are rooted in historically oppressive systems, Greenwood has not yet seen the justice it seeks in terms of legal victory and financial reparations. Damario shared the story of a recently passed community member, someone who had been a child terrorized by the 1921 Massacre, and how this man had asked in the last years of his life to get justice before he died. His wish was not granted. What is possible in our lifetimes?

I think often of the question of repair. As the granddaughter of German Jews who fled Nazi Germany in the 1930s, I have studied contemporary Germany’s achievements in taking responsibility for the harm caused by those in power in the past. I regularly wonder what is possible here in the US, how we can do better in terms of owning our histories of oppression and violence against marginalized groups. My own experience makes me fiercely admire those who tell the truth of our history, even when it is not encouraged or safe. I regularly invoke the words of Bryan Stevenson who said, “Until we understand the truth of our history, every effort at repair will fail.”

At Open Horizon, we are committed to doing our part in telling the truth of our history. We are also committed to supporting efforts at repair. We do this by lifting the voices of those marginalized and silenced and partnering with organizations that do the same. The work of repair feels essential to me and it is the work of humans to stay connected to truth, community, and belonging.

By Lisa Cohen