Blog Posts

The prison abolitionist movement reacted with outrage to Ford Foundation President Darren Walker’s recent piece defending nuance against the “extreme.” Walker’s temperate tone attempts to reflect his measured approach to the terrible legacy of incarceration, in this case at Rikers Island. The scorching response from more than 300 activists and Ford Fellows reflects the heat of righteous anger and frustration many feel. While this heat may be uncomfortable for some, it is essential to usher in change.

As I watched the latest wave of abortion bans sweep the country, it became clear to me that this was not just about abortions. It is an attack on our basic human rights, a dismantling of our democracy, and a reminder that this country has a long history of exerting control over women’s bodies - especially those of Black and Brown women.

On January 31st in Oakland, I joined a remarkable lineup of social justice leaders at Justice Funders’ State of the Movement. The event convened philanthropic and movement leaders who are committed to reimagining communities and building economies focused on care, cooperation, regeneration, and social well-being.

It Takes Roots (ITR), a 2018 grantee of the Libra Foundation, is a powerful alliance bringing together urban and rural communities from all around the world to build equitable and transformational solutions for climate change. ITR is a multiracial, multicultural and multi-generational coalition of several organizations, including Climate Justice Alliance, Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, Indigenous Environmental Network, Right to the City Alliance, Center for Story-based Strategy, and over 200 organizations and affiliates.

Our small-but-mighty staff team at The Libra Foundation has grown to three! Meet Angie Chen & Ashley Clark and check out their responses to a few casual questions.

This post is part of “Liberate Philanthropy,” a new blog series curated by Justice Funders to re-imagine and practice philanthropy free of its current constraints — the accumulation and privatization of wealth, and the centralization of power and control — to one that redistributes wealth, democratizes power and shifts economic control to communities. Throughout the series, we will be sharing stories from some of our most forward thinking, transformational leaders in philanthropy about how they are facilitating a Just Transition for philanthropy.

I am excited to be working with a family that is committed to fighting for liberty and justice for all. That final phrase of the pledge reminds us that our nation was founded on our allegiance to one another. To the neighbors who speak our language and the neighbors newly arrived. To the communities thriving through innovation and communities still recovering from recession. To control of our own bodies, as well as support and care for one another.