Inspiring the Next Generation of Change Agents: Key Lessons from L.A.

It’s been about a month since I returned from Los Angeles, where I attended the Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP) National Conference and the Council on Foundations Annual Conference. I am extremely grateful that those organizations partnered to provide “Stay in L.A.” scholarships to Next Gen-ers, which afforded us the opportunity to participate in both conferences. The experience was invaluable, and I came away from my week in L.A. thinking deeply about the challenge issued by Carol Goss to be an “activist philanthropist” and the charge from Angela Glover Blackwell to “be bold.”

Both conferences emphasized the need for emerging practitioners to develop their voices as grantmakers and use philanthropy as a catalyst for social change. I learned that in order to do so, we must bring our whole selves to this work and be willing to leverage our relationships and resources in support of our grant partners. Activist philanthropists work towards the transformation of individuals and communities, understanding that funding people, organizations, and movements that are doing the absolute best work can bring about change. Funding such work can be risky and this is where—as individuals, institutions, and a field—we need to muster up boldness. As Robert Ross helped us to appreciate, the real risk is in doing nothing.

Now the reality is that most of us emerging practitioners do not possess any real grantmaking power within our institutions. We can’t decide to fund the Occupy moment in hopes that it will grow into a movement, but the key to developing our voice is leading from wherever we are on the organizational chart. Simply speaking up can be a game changer, for there’s power in just getting an idea out there. As uncomfortable as that can be, we were reminded that discomfort yields change and creativity. They’re the defining characteristics of our generation.

As I hustle to complete reports and prepare to close this fiscal year, I am encouraged by EPIP and the Council’s commitment to developing the next generation of philanthropic leaders. I was truly inspired in L.A. and I look forward to being a part of an intergenerational philanthropic movement for justice.

Nakisha Lewis is project manager at the Schott Foundation for Public Education