Anti-Black racism and white supremacy are embedded in philanthropy and in our institutions, often invisible to the majority of us, even as we work with intention towards equity and justice. As change agents within philanthropy, we are stretching to become our best selves, rise to the moment, and progress toward racial equity.
In order to undo systems of oppression, we need to understand the foundations of systemic anti-Black racism and white supremacy in our country. We are all living in a culture that centers on whiteness as the standard mode of operation, fallaciously claiming that proximity to whiteness, and away from Blackness, is the measure of humanity. Each of us can understand the role we have to play in our fight towards racial equity and justice by centering systemic anti-Black racism within an intersectional framework through which we understand the social, economic, historical, and cultural dimensions of human life.
We cannot shift systems or our organizations without understanding how we got here, nor without looking at ourselves, at our relationships, and at our organizations themselves. The guiding purpose of Philanthropy California’s Foundations of Racial Equity program series is to provide training for philanthropic practitioners to understand how anti-Black racism and white supremacy influence the field of philanthropy and our practices and to provide opportunities for action in your organizations based on what you learn here.
Asynchronous Learning Circles
If you sign up for the full FRE series, you have the option of taking part in an asynchronous learning circle. These smaller groups of 4-5 people will meet at least once in between each session to explore the content shared in the FRE sessions, to work through opportunities and challenges to advance racial equity in your organization and/or in your grantmaking, and to build relationships with others who are committed to advancing racial equity.
If you opt-in for a learning circle, we will place you in a group and notify you of that grouping after the first full FRE session on June 14. In that initial email, we will provide initial instructions on how to connect with your fellow circle participants and some guidance on self-organization.
After each session, the Foundations of Racial Equity program staff will send a series of prompts to help you begin your conversations.
By signing up for a learning circle, you agree to:
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Register for the full FRE series
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Meet at least once between each FRE session
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Find a time to meet that works for everyone in your group
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Set group agreements that can support you in your conversations
