One Leader's New Understanding of DEI

Black-Jewish allyship and the war in Gaza. Plus, philanthropy backs a rom-com. [Philanthropy Today Logo]( This is a special weekly edition of Philanthropy Today featuring stories and content from [The Commons](. You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. If you no longer want to receive the Philanthropy Today newsletter, [unsubscribe](. Visit [The Commons]( for our latest content, sign up for [The Commons LinkedIn newsletter,]( and join the conversation in our Commons LinkedIn group. From The Commons ESSAY [My Journey as a Black Christian DEI Leader at a Jewish Nonprofit]( By Whitney Weathers [STORY IMAGE]( Her colleagues gave the author a new understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion. After the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, it was her perspective of allyship that changed. Upcoming Events in The Commons Next up in The Commons in Conversation interview series: - NEXT WEEK: Hollywood screenwriter Erik Bork talks about the bridging themes and philanthropy behind his soon-to-be-released The Elephant in the Room, a red-blue romantic comedy. October 2 at 12:30 p.m. ET. [Free registration required](. - Nealin Parker of [Common Ground USA]( will report on nonprofit efforts to head off political violence in advance of the November elections. October 16 at 12:30 p.m. ET. [Free registration required](. Of the Moment News and other noteworthy items: - On [Sean Carroll’s Mindscape podcast]( Hahrie Han talks about a racial-justice effort at Crossroads Church in Cincinnati, a large white-dominant evangelical church. Han, director of the [SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University]( recently published [Undivided: The Quest for Racial Solidarity in an American Church]( which the [New York Times]( called “a portrait in miniature of the American religious landscape.” - Zoë Rom of the New York Times [reports]( on an unlikely alliance of ranchers, cyclists, and snowmobilers who came together to win a 20-year pause of oil and gas leases on Colorado wilderness lands. Members of the group “had little in common aside from a desire to protect the expanse,” Rom writes. - A recent [Pew Research Center report]( “Americans are tired of division and existential, zero-sum political battles — especially since both sides feel like they are losing those battles.” At the same time, researchers found “they have ideas about how to change things,” including government reform and efforts to limit the influence of special interests and money in politics. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE [Chronicle of Philanthropy Subscription] Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to nonprofit news and analysis. Forums [October 10 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( Nonprofits that focus on capturing planned gifts can reap big benefits: Charitable bequests totaled $42.7 billion last year. Join us for Steps to Take to Build a Planned Giving Program to learn from Aquanetta Betts, director of planned giving at George Mason University, and Sean Twomey, senior director of planned giving and impact at the Wilderness Society. They’ll share smart advice and examples to help you start or step up your planned-giving efforts. Editor's Picks DONORS AND POLITICS [‘Money Is Power': 44 Ultra-Wealthy Philanthropists Are Top Political Donors This Election Cycle]( By Eden Stiffman [STORY IMAGE]( Megadonors like Ken Griffin, Paul Singer, Michael Bloomberg, and Reid Hoffman are collectively giving hundreds of millions to candidates and super PACS to influence voters. INTERVIEW [‘Young People Are Going to Fix Our Democracy’]( By Chronicle Staff [STORY IMAGE]( Future Caucus president Layla Zaidane talks about how Gen Z and millennial lawmakers cross the aisle to find solutions. Case in point: The removal of Confederate iconography from Mississippi’s flag. ELECTIONS [Can Elections Ever Be Normal Again? These 22 Nonprofit Leaders Have a Plan.]( By Drew Lindsay [STORY IMAGE]( After the tumult of 2020, a new set of organizations aims to reinforce how votes are tallied on November 5 as well as in 2026, 2028, and beyond. [Chronicle of Philanthropy Logo]( This newsletter was sent to {EMAIL}. [Read this newsletter on the web](. [Manage]( your newsletter preferences, [stop receiving]( this email, or [view]( our privacy policy. © 2024 [The Chronicle of Philanthropy]( 1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037