The loss of civil rights and racial justice icons John Lewis and C.T. Vivian this July brought inspiration and sadness to many…

• In Inside Philanthropy, Libra Foundation ED Crystal Hayling appealed to funders looking to support the movement for racial justice with words from John Lewis - “Get in and stay in.”
• Native Americans in Philanthropy’s ED Erik Stegman shared his reflections on Lewis’ legacy in John Lewis was Good Trouble for All of Us.
• And Lewis himself shared his final wishes for the world in an op-ed written shortly before his death, "Together, You Can Redeem the Soul of Our Nation"

...many of the ideas and topics raised in Sankofa Summer sessions resonated in our reading…

• In NPQ, Dr. Danielle Moss Lee called on institutions to fund Black women, reckon with racism, and support Black women’s leadership in Black Women in Nonprofits Matter. 
• Natasha Harrison of CommunityBuildVentures shared her steps for creating authentic conversations that center race, including sharing gratitude, setting intentions, and exploring feelings.
• Members of the Funders for Justice Healing Justice Strategy Group provided Healing Justice guidance for philanthropy for our current moment and beyond, sharing this vision: "Imagine if we funded the holistic sustainability and wellness of grantee partners so that they had the capacity to innovate, shift, and resist."

...and two recent studies highlighted large gaps in the funding landscape.

• The Ms. Foundation for Women’s landmark study Pocket Change: How Women and Girls of Color Do More with Less showed that only 0.5% of the money given by foundations each year goes to women and girls of color and called for more funding to organizations by and for women of color, as well as vocal commitment to their work.
• Freedom Maps, a report by Ron Ragin and Maria Cherry Rangel on arts, culture, and organizing in the US South, found that Southern artists have needed to create "solidarity economies" in response to a chronic lack of philanthropic and public investment in Southern culture and artists.

EPIP chapters from across the country also shared from their reading, watching, and listening lists for the month, with resources focused on advancing equity and social justice:

• A list of BIPOC-Owned Businesses to Support in the DC Metro Area (EPIP DC)
• The Responsive Philanthropy Journal, June 2020 Issue (EPIP CO)
• Here’s Where You Can Donate to Help Protests Against Police Brutality (EPIP St. Louis)
• How We Are Creating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion From the Inside Out (EPIP DC)
• Reestablishing Philanthropic Vitality After the Emergency (EPIP LA)
• TED Talk: How we can make Racism a Solvable Problem - and Improve Policing (EPIP Chicago)
• Under the Blacklight Podcast Series (EPIP Chicago)