As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we continue to add to our COVID-19 resources page. Some new highlights include new looks at how COVID-19 (and philanthropy’s response to it) impact communities of color...

• Colorlines explores why COVID-19 is so dangerous for people of color
• A coalition of Washington, DC funders names the COVID-19 crisis as a racial justice issue that calls for prioritizing the power of POC (The Weissberg Blog)
• Inside Philanthropy takes a closer look at who in philanthropy is supporting communities of color
• A reminder from Frontline Solutions that capacity-building partners, especially those that are Black, Indigenous, and people of color-owned, remain crucial to the sector

...what the philanthropic sector can learn from this crisis for the long-term…

We are living in unprecedented times. To claim anything else would be to naively dismiss our new reality; however, to believe that we cannot come out of this pandemic stronger than before would be to allow fear and anxiety to shroud the great opportunity before us.

We are being exposed. The ugly truths that our nation has tried to hide are coming to light and, in the light, we can diagnose problems by name and collectively work towards their cure. We now see that our healthcare system is inadequate, that our country is too slow to respond to disasters, that we undervalue the workers who keep our country running, and that racial minorities have to inequitably deal with the consequences. 

We often say that EPIP is a leaderful organization, but that would not be possible without the leadership of our Board of Advisors. As we prepare to welcome a new slate of board officers and members, we wish to take a moment to acknowledge and thank the leaders who have served as stewards of our organization, bringing us to where we are today. Thank you to outgoing Board Chair Nakisha M. Lewis, Vice-Chair Janet I. Sandoval, and Secretary Morgan Shannon for your passion, dedication, and extraordinary service and to Caitlin Wagner Fisher and Bianca Alston, whose board terms ended late last year, for your guidance, support, and wisdom.

Under their leadership, the outgoing Board of Advisors was able to shepherd EPIP through organizational transitions and growth, all while maintaining a commitment to our strategic vision and values. And it must be noted that each of these leaders has contributed to our EPIP community well beyond their service as members of the Board of Advisors. Because of them, EPIP is well-positioned to continue its work to center equity and justice in all of our efforts.

As we now build upon the foundation that previous board members and officers have helped us to establish, it is our honor and privilege to announce EPIP’s new board officers for 2020. These changemakers have stepped into their roles without hesitation during a time of great uncertainty for the world as a whole. We are grateful to them and to the entire Board of Advisors for their leadership and support.

Migration, Perspective, and the Power of Art

While much of what we have been reading and gathering this month relates to COVID-19 (and can be found on our special COVID-19 resources page here), including the following highlights...

• The recent reminder from Lori Villarosa of the Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity that we can bring an equity lens to our philanthropic work even during this time of crisis 
• A look at three funder commitments to emulate from Aaron Dorfman at NCRP
• The growing list of local response funds and initiatives working to help those most in need
• A reminder that this can be a time to reflect and care for self in the midst of helping others

...other newly-released reports from around the sector offer a picture of the existing philanthropic landscape...

Friends,

I am filled with joy and immensely humbled to write to you today as the new Executive Director of EPIP. In the few days since my appointment was announced, I have been overwhelmed - in the best of ways - with your messages of support, excitement, partnership, and hope for the future. I share that same optimism and zeal for this next chapter in EPIP’s history, and I am excited for what lays ahead. EPIP’s beloved community has been a dear part of my growth in philanthropy. Like so many of you, I found my people at EPIP, and through EPIP was able to connect with colleagues who I still count among my friends. 

But more than that, EPIP was the place where I was encouraged to boldly articulate a simple truth which I have always known - for philanthropy to truly live up to its meaning, a love of humanity, our sector must advance equity by working collaboratively to address the systems, institutions, and practices which oppress, silence, and further marginalize others, both within and outside of its own walls. I am proud to be the first woman of color and first Black woman to be EPIP’s Executive Director, and it is my hope that in the years to come we will create more firsts together as we work towards a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable sector.  

As we begin a new year, we are looking forward to the work we will be doing in 2020 and the inspiration we are taking with us to start this work anew.

• Tending To Your Altar in 2020 reminds us of the importance of grounding and introspection as we move forward.
• Moms4Housing’s successful battle to reclaim a vacant home shows us the power of organizing for change.
• Learning to Support Indigenous Communities and The Most Important Work We’ll Never Finish showcases the ongoing work being done in philanthropy to work towards racial equity.
• The Trust-Based Philanthropy Project is addressing the issue of power in philanthropy with a new trust-based approach.

After an extensive national search, Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP) is pleased to announce that Storme Gray has been named our next Executive Director, effective Monday, January 20th. Storme has held the position of Interim Executive Director since July 2019.

Storme, the first woman of color to lead EPIP since its founding, has been a change agent and advocate for justice throughout her career in the philanthropic sector. A member of the EPIP community since 2014, Storme was a Chapter Leader and Co-Chair of EPIP DC and member of EPIP’s Advisory Board prior to joining EPIP’s staff in 2017 as our Director of Programs. As Director of Programs, she brought her commitment to social justice and philanthropy to EPIP’s work, developing member programming that centers equity in philanthropy, managing EPIP’s successful bi-annual conference, and re-invigorating the EPIP People of Color Network, among other accomplishments.

“I’m excited to step into this new leadership role at a pivotal time in EPIP’s growth," Storme said when asked about her new position. “As EPIP approaches our 20th anniversary next year, I look forward to working to make our community the place for early and mid-career professionals in philanthropy who are thoughtful, intentional, and care about building a more just future for all.”