This post was authored by Paul Bachleitner, Project Director of Joint Affinity Groups (JAG) and was originally published on the JAG Blog. It appears here as part of the EPIP-JAG blogging partnership, “Wit and Wisdom”. Less than three weeks ago, the not guilty verdict in the trial of George Zimmerman for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin rocked the nation. The outrage directed at Zimmerman and stand your ground laws was merited, but it might have been better directed at the policies and structural barriers that cast men and boys of color as criminals and wary citizens in a shoot-first mentality. Read more

In early February 2013, five members of EPIP Boston attended the EPIP National Professional Development Fund Conference held in San Francisco, below are their reflections. Those who attended were Jessica Baylor, EPIP Boston member; Nakisha Lewis, EPIP Boston Co-chair; Hehershe Busuego, EPIP Boston Steering Committee member; Andrea Forsht, EPIP Boston Steering Committee member; and Marie-Frances Rivera, EPIP Boston member

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EPIP and JAG (the Joint Affinity Groups) are proud to announce the launch of Wit and Wisdom, a blogging collaboration. Featuring a monthly entry from individuals within our networks, it will highlight thought leadership about philanthropy, racial/social equity, and multigenerational change. Its lightening-hot interviews, essays, and case studies aim to provoke insightful discussion. The blog is jointly hosted on the EPIP and JAG websites. The writers are members of EPIP, JAG partners, and staff who are building awareness of the best ways to change the face of philanthropy. It’s a platform that gives new leaders a chance to lift up their own voices, where EPIP and JAG members have a means to explore the conversation on equity, multigenerationalism, and social change together. A successful collaboration will also engage the field and help transform philanthropy. Stay tuned for our first content piece, a reflection on EPIP’s people of color gathering, in just a few days! And find us at the EPIP conference and the Council on Foundations conference in Chicago, starting next week! Founded in 1993, JAG is a national network of six identity-based affinity groups of grantmaking professionals that pursues more equitable funding for all communities. EPIP, now 12 years old, develops extraordinary new leaders to enhance organized philanthropy and its impact on communities.   Read more