... "To some, the thought of not being the primary audience of the conference may seem disempowering. But I see the opposite. To give ideas, tools, and power to the countless individuals and communities who have long been shut out of or underrepresented in conversations about social change; to give them the ability to both set the agenda and realize change is immensely empowering." ... Florian shares his experience at the conference, in community and exploring issues of race.

"With great power comes great responsibility. This motto, beloved by superhero fans everywhere, should be as equally beloved by philanthropists. Because, as Jamie Bennett of ArtPlace America so eloquently stated, philanthropy is one of the only fields that has the power to tell other fields and issues that they need to wait (I’ve paraphrased his words). Because philanthropists may not be ready for a particular issue yet, that issue may not receive a voice, or ever important funding streams. To me, this does not sound like equity, and for this reason those in philanthropy must be particularly careful about the power it wields." ...

"Participating in the PolicyLink Equity Summit 2015 through the People of Color Network of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP) brought so many of my worlds together, and I am forever thankful for the opportunity. I originally learned about the conference a few months before first learning about EPIP, and I was drawn to the fact that so many activists, academics and leaders dedicating their lives to uplifting communities across the country would be under one roof. Not only was I intrigued by the idea of exchanging ideas and best practices with visionaries working in education, health, gender equity, community development, and in other fields, but I was also impressed by PolicyLink’s larger commitment, which served to anchor us all for three October days in Los Angeles: “…PolicyLink has focused attention on people and communities, boldly and effectively using local, state, and national policy to improve conditions in low-income communities and communities of color and empowering residents to engage and provide insight and leadership.” I knew I could walk away from this collaborative space with practical tools to apply to my evolving professional environment back in New York." ...

Slow jams. Tweets. Mentoring. Equity. Heartfelt and insightful reflections from E. Bomani Johnson on his experience in the PCN Delegation at Policy Link. 

"From with the opening video, to Sarah Jones’ artistically masterful monologue in the closing plenary, and everything in between, Policy Link’s Equity Summit 2015 crafted a beautiful mosaic of a core liberation principle, We Are One." ...

"I had the honor of participating in EPIP’s delegation to the Policy Link Equity Summit in Los Angeles at the end of October. In my role at The Solutions Project, I lead our policy strategy and grant-making, which seeks to accelerate the transition to 100% clean energy for all people and purposes. The Solutions Project activates an equity-focused lens to propel nontraditional voices into climate issues and facilitate a strong network of environmental justice organizations. With a background in driving change across a number of issues and constituencies, I approached the Policy Link Equity Summit excited to engage in these important conversations.

Throughout the three-day gathering, I met incredible leaders who are transforming the way we approach social change. ..."

Read more from Tyler Nickerson.

"As the Equity Summit’s opening ceremony began, I was struck and moved by Policy Link’s spoken word video “Our Moment.”  I felt poet Mayda del Valle speaking directly to me in her powerful rhyme, 'step, move, walk, Wake Up… our right to remain in slumber has been revoked; silence and apathy are now the only crimes... witness this moment in history turned blaze again, every moment the flame is growing, but will you be the fire?, this time, will you be ember? will you be catalyst and combustion? will you claim the torch?'"

Read more from Alana Ortez

What is Collective Impact? How does it translate to the arts and culture sector? And how do you take amazing lessons from a great conference experience and make them actionable when you get back to your desk?

Thoughts and actionable steps on this from Liz Alsina following her experience in the PCN delegation at the Policy Link Equity Summit.

"I have only been a part of the nonprofit/philanthropic sector for a little over six months – so the opportunity to participate in PolicyLink’s Equity Summit as a member of the Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy’s (EPIP) People of Color Network (PCN) Delegation was a big deal for me."

EPIP's People of Color Network (PCN) Delegation at the Policy Link Equity Summit was a rich and powerful experience for participants. Each participant was asked to share reflections on the experience at the conference and in the EPIP delegation through a blog post. Over the next few weeks we are thrilled to be sharing the thoughtful words, tips for integrating lessons learned into your work and individual reflections of our members. Here's a post from Jenna Zhang, Arabella Advisors

"I often think about the power of breath. As a singer, breathing is as close to life and death as one can get to actual life and death. Breathing life into a phrase is no metaphor. The perfect exhalation animates a lifeless passage and sends it scampering into the hearts of those who listen.  It is the difference between applause and silence, between being carried aloft or crashing, gasping to earth. And so my mind is sometimes caught in the rhythm of my lungs. The rise, the fall, the inhale, the exhale, the awareness of air as it is taken in and expelled.

...what happens when we reclaim the power of breath denied?"

Click here to read more from Donita Volkwijn.