A core question the Closing the Gaps Network (CTG) team has been holding over the past year and a half has been, How might we test and practice the work that we are expecting of public servants who take part…
Ending White Supremacy Culture: Racial Equity as a Process
We’ve come to understand that racial equity is a process rather than an outcome that can be checked off a to-do list. We seek to move beyond the binary thinking that suggests there is an “end” or that some people are “on top” or “more successful” when it comes to racial equity.
Just Say Black
I work in circles where we talk a lot about “people of color” (POC). We discuss what POC need to thrive economically, how to support POC with resources, and of course we interrogate how racism affects POC in the public…
There is Only One Kevin Clayton…But We Need One in Every Company
This piece was developed with guidance and input from the Living Cities Narrative Change Working Group, a collective impact consortium composed of foundations, financial institutions and key partners working to harness market forces for economic inclusion by shifting corporate narratives about…
Ben & Jerry’s Approach to Racial Equity: Reach for the Carrot, Don’t Just Avoid the Stick
This piece was developed with guidance and input from the Living Cities Narrative Change Working Group, a collective impact consortium composed of foundations, financial institutions and key partners working to harness market forces for economic inclusion by shifting corporate narratives about…
Prudential Sees Racial Equity as a Moral, Economic and Business Imperative
This piece was developed with guidance and input from the Living Cities Narrative Change Working Group, a collective impact consortium composed of foundations, financial institutions and key partners working to harness market forces for economic inclusion by shifting corporate narratives about…
Collective Organizing Toward Narrative Change: An Interactive Timeline
Explore the timeline at the end of this post! Over the past four years, we have lived through so many events that have sparked, challenged or reshaped national conversations about race. Donald Trump was elected after a campaign characterized by…
Building an Ecosystem of Support for Local Governments to Advance Racial Equity
As residents are demanding racial justice and city leaders increasingly recognize that racial equity is integral to all of their priorities, it has never been more important that local leaders have an intentional ecosystem of support to meet their full…
Ending White Supremacy Culture: Honoring the Labor that Got Us Here
Living Cities has learned that to do racial equity work with authenticity, we have to embrace a new way of working. It has to start with us, at the level of individual staff and project teams. As we set about…
Leveraging Relationships and Centering Racial Equity
From local government officials to philanthropic stakeholders to Living Cities staff, this story is one in a series that demonstrates the impact Living Cities has across the U.S. — connecting individuals and highlighting successful initiatives. Ashleigh Gardere Executive Vice President…
Wealth Building as a Tool for an Equitable Rochester
From local government officials to philanthropic stakeholders to Living Cities staff, this story is one in a series that demonstrates the impact Living Cities has across the U.S. — connecting individuals and highlighting successful initiatives. Dr. Lomax R. Campbell Director…
Model Minority No More: Towards a Model of Mutual Struggle
Living Cities joins the more than 500 philanthropic leaders who have committed to building multi-racial solidarity and shifting funding to communities of color, including Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, to help dismantle white supremacy and all forms of oppression. We mourn the deaths of…
The Rich Cultural Identity of Native Americans in ABQ
From local government officials to philanthropic stakeholders to Living Cities staff, this story is one in a series that demonstrates the impact Living Cities has across the U.S. — connecting individuals and highlighting successful initiatives. Dawn Begay Native American Affairs…
Cultural Equity to Achieve Social Change in New Haven, Conn.
From local government officials to philanthropic stakeholders to Living Cities staff, this story is one in a series that demonstrates the impact Living Cities has across the U.S. — connecting individuals and highlighting successful initiatives. Adriane Jefferson Director of the…
Youth and Philanthropy Co-Design an Equitable Minnesota
From local government officials to philanthropic stakeholders to Living Cities staff, this story is one in a series that demonstrates the impact Living Cities has across the U.S. — connecting individuals and highlighting successful initiatives. Marcus Pope Vice President of…
Building an Anti-racist City During COVID
From local government officials to philanthropic stakeholders to Living Cities staff, this story is one in a series that demonstrates the impact Living Cities has across the U.S. — connecting individuals and highlighting successful initiatives. Clare Verbeten Equity and Inclusion…
Using Resilience to Build an Equitable Minneapolis
From local government officials to philanthropic stakeholders to Living Cities staff, this story is one in a series that demonstrates the impact Living Cities has across the U.S. — connecting individuals and highlighting successful initiatives. Ron Harris Chief Resilience Officer…
ABQ Leader Reimagines Government’s Role in Equity
From local government officials to philanthropic stakeholders to Living Cities staff, this story is one in a series that demonstrates the impact Living Cities has across the U.S. — connecting individuals and highlighting successful initiatives. Michelle Melendez Inaugural Director of…
Living Cities’ Catalyst Family of Funds Selected as an Emeritus Impact Manager for Impact Assets 50 2021
For over a decade, Living Cities’ impact investing work has helped us advance our programmatic strategies while testing innovative approaches to spark and accelerate social change. Our commitment to using capital to create economic security for people of color in…
CHECKING IN WITH OUR HUMANITY V2
CHECKING IN WITH OUR HUMANITY V2 OVERVIEW Embedding racial equity into an organizational culture requires intentional work everyday. On a personal level, it can require a lifetime of studying, learning, and unlearning. There are many ways to incorporate thoughtful reflection…