I’m always excited about returning to the Bay, especially being in the historic Mission District!

I left the conference inspired by the stories of people actively funding and bringing resources to nonprofit and community-led organizations. There was a beautiful combination of new practitioners and those who have been in philanthropy for decades.

We cultivated a space where we shared ideas, organizational practices, challenges, and had frank conversations of what is currently impacting the marginalized communities we support. We danced, ate, and even cried together.

The four-day conference was jam packed with informational and networking sessions, opportunities to convene and take a break to center relaxation.

A few moments that inspired me:

• A special screening and panel discussion with the production team of “Skylark,” an adaptation of the book, “White Woman Cry and Call Me Angry,” written by Dr. Yanique Redwood. (On the Open Horizon staff book club list!)
• I met author and activist Whitney Parnell who wrote “Breathing Out: Ruminations of a Black Millennial Woman.” (Open Horizon’s current staff book club pick!)
• Georgia Fort (Center for Broadcast Journalism), Tracie Powell (The Pivot Fund), and Errin Haines (The 19th), discussed the tactical erasure of Black newsrooms and media outlets and how philanthropy can play a role in helping it survive.
• The Plenary session called, “Reclaiming Our Time: A Unified Path to Responsive Philanthropy,” elevated the questions of how do we reclaim our power, how can we leverage our assets, and what are other ways of supporting our communities when institutions and private funders have pulled away? The question that truly sat with me is, “what exists despite the system?” The answer: We do. The panel highlighted the power of giving circles, mutual aid, impact investment, and the power of the Auntie in the community. (I felt seen!)

I’m grateful to be in community with fellow practitioners in philanthropy. After this conference, I’ve added more cousins to the family and am looking forward to the innovation and partnerships ahead!

Written by Cristina D., Manager of Operations at Open Horizon.