Spring Point Partners

This week, we were honored to convene many of Spring Point Partners’ Learners in Residence for – an invitation to listen, learn, reflect, and connect across complex issues and heart-powered solutions. This collection of changemakers, connectors, artists, and advocates worked closely with our human-centered facilitators and speakers including our Keynote Storyteller, NY Times Best Selling Author Clint Smith (one of our inaugural Learners in Residence). We marveled at the salient seeds of wisdom they planted together around topics like:

🌱 asset-framing storytelling that challenges dominant narratives
🌱 reclaiming narratives instead of accepting those projected on communities
🌱 the creative process (vs. creativity as product)
🌱 the charged expectations of misguided resilience
🌱 rest as a right and not a privilege
🌱 connecting the dots between collective seeds of wisdom
🌱 food and storytelling as cultural preservation
🌱 healing in urban landscapes

Our Learners are part of an 18-month residence that provides time, space and resources for social impact-focused thought leaders to develop new ways to engage and shift narrative in their respective fields. Individually and collectively, they’re making connections, creating community, innovating for change – and doing groundbreaking work.

We are grateful for the opportunity to have been in community with our Learners (IRL!) and to learn from them and with them. Stay tuned for more about their projects, their work and, especially, their impact! In the grand scheme of things, they have only just begun.

LiR featured: Elizabeth Hira, Alberto Ferreras, Dena Simmons, Elizabeth Todd-Breland, Arvolyn Hill, Kate Steiker Ginzberg, Reggie Shuford, Benny Starr, Vann Newkirk, Tre Johnson, Renay Loper, Rachel Lopez, Dana Cook, Scott Emerick

Last week at The Hive, we were fortunate to chat with Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr., a passionate academic, educator, and author of We Are the Leaders We Have Been Looking For. Thank you to everyone who participated in the conversation.

Revisiting moments in his past that made up his work, we explored historic movements and leaders that preceded us, learning how they can inform our work and movement in times of critical transitions today. We are so grateful to Dr. Glaude for sharing his knowledge and expertise with our partners. As we wrap up this year’s learning series, with leadership and governance a key theme, we appreciate his insight into what it means “self-cultivate in the pursuit of justice.” Grab your copy of Dr. Glaude’s book here: https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674737600

Stay tuned as we share details on our December fireside chat!

Policymakers and youth-serving organizations: don't miss STEPS for Youth, a new resource from our Hive partner UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent. By learning more about adolescent brain science, we can work together to design programs that support young people’s positive development. And when we support our young people in adolescence, we create stronger communities for all of us. http://stepsforyouth.com/

Happy Black Male Educators Month! Follow along as our ember partner Center for Black Educator Development honors the past and future work of rebuilding the .

In their latest guest commentary for The Philadelphia Citizen, Sharif El-Mekki celebrates the Philadelphia's 30-year history of recruiting Black men into the profession and explains why to achieve educational equity:

Guest Commentary: It’s Black Male Educator October A local educator is leading the charge to revive a campaign to recruit Black male educators because our students,

This week at the Grantmakers for Education 2024 Annual Conference in Minneapolis, we're eager to discuss the science of adolescent development! If you're attending and want to learn more about opportunities to create transformational change and foster positive development for our young people, join us at the following events hosted by Funders for Adolescent Science Translation (FAST).
Youth-Centered Federal Policy: A Pathway to New Possibilities
October 17, 2024, 10:45 AM-12:00 PM CST

Funder Reception: Changing Policy, Practice, Narrative and Systems via the Science of Adolescent Development
October 17, 2024, 5:45 PM-6:45 PM CST

FAST, a consortium aimed at producing more equitable and positive life outcomes for youth, includes the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Bezos Family Foundation, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the Ford Foundation, Hemera Foundation, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Hopelab, Pivotal Ventures, Spring Point Partners, the Stuart Foundation, and Raikes Foundation.

Last week, SPP staff enjoyed a visit with Jill Fink, Executive Director of economic justice partner The Merchants Fund (TMF). In an interview with Brian Rajan Nagendra, Jill shared her story as a former café owner and explained how TMF provides critical support to small businesses. She underscored the importance of flexible capital and other resources for these Main Street shops — the heart and soul of Philadelphia communities. Thanks for visiting, Jill!

A Texas-based ember partner, AVANCE, INC. was recently featured in an article featuring their work advancing education and employment opportunities for Latine families in the San Antonio area. To read more about on how they implemented this work and to gain insight on how other nonprofits can too, visit the full article:

Nonprofit works to advance education, employment opportunities for Latino families - San Antonio Business Journal A national nonprofit organization founded in San Antonio is celebrating 50 years of assisting Latino families with education and enhancing participants’ future opportunities.

🔥 Live from The Hive this Wednesday: preeminent scholar and best-selling author Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr.!

This hybrid fireside chat with the author of “We Are the Leaders We Have Been Looking For" focuses on leadership in times of uncertainty, the intersection of leadership and identity, and applicable leadership learnings from historic moments.

Philly locals, grab your seat NOW: https://springpointpartners.ticketleap.com/we-are-the-leaders-we-have-been-looking-for-a-conversation-with/dates/Oct-16-2024_at_0200PM

In the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, emergency cash assistance can help communities recover faster. Our economic justice partner Beam, Formerly Edquity, has supported dozens of partners in the delivery of emergency relief programs. Get in touch if they can help your community next:

Beam Resource | Delivering Fast Assistance to Communities in Times of Crisis Hurricane Helene left countless families and small businesses across the southeastern United States in urgent need of assistance. We're committed to doing what it takes to help communities recover faster and stronger.

The annual Empty the Shelters event is back!

ACCT Philly is the largest animal care and control service provider in the region, handling over 18,000 animals annually. As part of their work providing shelter, care and life saving efforts for homeless, abandoned, and abused animals, our Life of Riley partner is participating in this campaign reducing adoption fees to $10 from October 1st to October 15th!

Whether you are looking for a dog, cat, or other critter, adopting from ACCT Philly means giving one more animal a home and life they deserve 🫂🏡. To learn more about how you can take advantage of this adoption offer, please see their post below.

is here🎉$10 adoption fees with over 350 dogs🐶, cats 🐱and critters 🐰at our shelter and in foster care waiting for homes. With 200+ animals coming into the shelter everyweek, your adoption will save lives.🥰

📍the shelter is open 10-6pm daily and located at
111 w hunting park ave Philadelphia PA

🥰 ALL adoption fees from October 1st-15th are $10 whether it's a dog🐶, cat🐱, or critter🐰🐹! This includes all the animals in foster care as well! They would love to find a furever home so they do not have to come back to the shelter.🏡

🐶View available dogs and fill out an application here: https://bit.ly/ACCTAvailableDogs
🐱View available cats and fill out an application here: https://bit.ly/ACCTAvailableCats
🐰View available critters and fill out an application here: https://bit.ly/40W7iHp

During our September Learning Session, we had the honor of featuring Markita Morris-Louis, Esq., Peter Gonzales, Esq., and Portia Fullard for a session focused on “Good Governance in Times of Leadership Transitions.” Our speakers shared perspectives and learnings gleaned as they participated in and stewarded organizations through nuanced leadership changes.

Tune in, rewatch, or share with friends to pick up all the learning dust you can:
▶️https://youtu.be/w67pOPfsSc4?si=iCN7CE6yz82veH2k

Calling all Youth Professionals! 📣 Learn new ways to support Hispanic and Latine students by partaking in this month's THRIVE Webinar Series presented by the Human Rights Campaign!

This month our partner has dedicated a two-part session to highlighting the experience of Latine LGBTQ+ youth on self-discovery called “Saliendo Del Clóset.” The first part starts October 10th from 4-5pm, so be sure to tune in by signing up via this link: https://hrc-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0vmDmYRHS9Kf27YnvhBlPw #/registration

Is your Philly organization interested in addressing gun violence – recently cited as an urgent public health crisis by the U.S. Surgeon General – through comprehensive, cross-system solutions?

The Stoneleigh Foundation is seeking applications to host an Emerging Leader Fellowship project that focuses on the prevention or reduction of gun violence in Philadelphia through the lens of the youth justice, health, education and/or child welfare systems or that addresses the social-ecological underpinnings contributing to gun violence. Apply by 11/8: https://stoneleighfoundation.org/apply/emerging-leader-fellowship/application/

Get to know Philly-based Latinx/Hispanic poets this month with our ember partner ArtWell Philly. Here, they spotlight Julian Randall, a q***r author and poet with Philly roots who has published five books across three genres.

Today we’re shining a spotlight on poet and author Julian Randall who is a Q***r author from Chicago with roots in Philly and has worked with ArtWell in the past. Julian has received fellowships from Cave Canem, CantoMundo, Callaloo, and the Watering Hole. Julian is the author of five books across three genres. Their work for adults Refuse (Pitt, 2018) was the winner of the 2017 Cave Canem Poetry Prize and a finalist for a 2019 NAACP Image Award.

Happy Hispanic & Latino Heritage Month!

This month we remind ourselves of the importance of Hispanic and Latino visibility, recognizing that the contributions of Latino and Hispanic Americans have been a cornerstone of social and economic justice. From Dolores Huertes, a transformative leader in farm workers' rights, to Frida Kahlo, an advocate for LGBT and women's rights through her art, their substantial impact continues.

To celebrate, we are highlighting some of our partners working diligently in the fight for social change. We also invite you to engage with the resources below to see the current and historical influence of this community in Philadelphia and beyond.

To visit:
💡 “Uncovering and Preserving Puerto Rican Stories” Exhibit at the HSP: https://www.portal.hsp.org/exhibits
💡Alexis Duque’s “Los Dueños de Nada” at Taller Puertorriqueño: https://tallerpr.org/alexis-duque/

To watch/listen:
💡40 Must watch Hispanic/Latino Movies by Elle: https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/g37596674/best-latinx-hispanic-films/
💡21 Days of Música Latina by World Café: https://xpn.org/2023/10/06/world-cafe-musica-latina/
💡New & Noteworthy Podcasts by Latinos from the NPR Network: https://www.npr.org/2023/09/29/1198394432/new-podcasts-latinos-spanish

To read:
💡Hispanic, Latin@, Latinx or Latine? by the Cambio Center: https://cambio.missouri.edu/about/hispanic-latin-latinx-or-latine/
💡LGBT Latinx Students Share 12 Must-Reads presented by GLSEN: https://www.glsen.org/blog/lgbtq-latinx-students-share-12-must-reads
💡The 47: Historias along a bus route by WHYY: https://whyy.org/series/the-47-historias-along-a-bus-route/
💡What 9 Philly Latinx leader need you to understand about their communities: https://technical.ly/civic-news/latinx-nonprofit-civic-leaders-challenges/

NEXT WEEK: Don’t miss our fireside chat with Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr., a prominent scholar, educator, and author of “We Are the Leaders We Have Been Looking For.” Limited in-person tickets are still available at The Hive in Philly, or join the conversation via Zoom as we broadcast live!

✏️ We Are the Leaders We Have Been Looking For: A Conversation with Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr.
📅 Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM ET
✋ RSVP: https://springpointpartners.ticketleap.com/we-are-the-leaders-we-have-been-looking-for-a-conversation-with/dates/Oct-16-2024_at_0200PM

In this hybrid session, we will focus on leadership in times of uncertainty, the intersection of leadership and identity, and leadership learnings from historic moments we may lift and apply to current organizational concerns. We will also include audience integrated Q&A facilitated by Uva Coles, Chief Learning Officer at Spring Point Partners. Submit your most pressing questions in advance during your registration.

On the somber anniversary of Hamas’ surprise terrorist attack in Israel and the resulting humanitarian catastrophe, our social justice partner The GroundTruth Project has curated a story map highlighting coverage from the last year. These stories from around the globe demonstrate the widescale impact of the conflict and its reactions. They highlight the perspectives of those directly impacted, from displaced families and journalists to student protesters and international bodies.

Explore the collection:

Israel and Gaza One Year Later In the year since Hamas' attack and Israel's military response, our corps members have documented its consequences.

George Hawkins, Founder & CEO of our Delta partner Moonshot Missions, was recently featured on the Rural Ripples podcast from fellow Delta partner Rogue Water Lab. Tune in to hear George discuss his experiences overcoming governance challenges, the importance of community engagement, and some forward-thinking ideas on sustainable water management.
https://ruralripples.captivate.fm/

We’re thrilled to see that Dr. Aisha Nyandoro of the Magnolia Mother’s Trust and Springboard to Opportunities has been recognized on the 2024 TIME 100 Next list. Dr. Nyandoro is a fellow with SPP’s social justice partner The Highland Project and is on the board of the Economic Security Project, another social justice partner. Dr. Nyandoro launched the first guaranteed income pilot to challenge conventional wisdom around poverty and laid the foundation for the guaranteed income movement.

Check out her interview about the power of cash assistance:

Aisha Nyandoro Showed America What Happens When You Give Mothers Cash The founder of Magnolia Mother's Trust believes Black moms know what's best for their families

Earlier this month in Philadelphia, we were proud to join young people, practitioners, policymakers, and philanthropies in starting a journey to rethink adolescence. With the guidance of experts from the UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent, FrameWorks Institute, and Search Institute, we considered ways to provide the that ALL our young people deserve—and why it’s crucial to strengthening our communities.

Hundreds of leaders showed up for the first step in this collaborative effort, imagining an adolescence filled with opportunity and discovery; ways to contribute purposefully; and permission to try, fail, and try again on the way to realizing one’s ambitions. (A good night’s sleep wouldn’t hurt, either.)

The conversation continues. Learn more about making this a reality for our young people: https://linktr.ee/ouryoungpeople

What happens when outspoken anti-puppy mill advocates meet breeders unusually committed to canine welfare? Huge thanks to Mindi Callison and Alexis Bell of Bailing Out Benji for joining Life of Riley last week to share their story of visiting Canine Care Certified Amish breeders in Indiana. We’ll be sharing the recording soon. In the meantime, take the time to read Mindi’s first-hand account of the eye-opening experience, which demonstrates the power of taking an open-minded, collaborative approach to animal welfare.
https://bailingoutbenji.com/amish-puppy-mill/

My Amish "Puppy Mill" Experience - Bailing Out Benji Bailing Out Benji is a nonprofit organization that researches puppy mills and their connection to pet stores and online websites.

This fall, join Spring Point Partners as we dive deep into the meaning of leadership. Registration is now open for our October fireside chat with prominent scholar, educator, and author Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr.

✏️ We Are the Leaders We Have Been Looking For: A Conversation with Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr.
📅 Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM ET
✋ RSVP: https://springpointpartners.ticketleap.com/we-are-the-leaders-we-have-been-looking-for-a-conversation-with/dates/Oct-16-2024_at_0200PM

In this hybrid session, we will focus on leadership in times of uncertainty, the intersection of leadership and identity, and leadership learnings from historic moments we may lift and apply to current organizational concerns. We will also include audience integrated Q&A facilitated by Uva Coles, Chief Learning Officer at Spring Point Partners. Submit your most pressing questions in advance during your registration!

Local partners are invited to attend in person at The Hive in Philadelphia. Seats are limited—first come, first served! Our session will also broadcast live via Zoom.

Congratulations to our economic justice partner Lemonada Media on five years of sharing universal human experiences. Led by founders Jessica Cordova Kramer and Stephanie Wittels Wachs, Lemonada has created an award-winnings storytelling platform that lifts diverse voices and tackles tough issues.

Happy Birthday to Lemonada Media!

Today marks an incredible five years since our fearless leaders, CEO Jessica Cordova Kramer and CCO Stephanie Wittels Wachs, joined forces.

Their vision and dedication have shaped who we are today, and the diagram above is their original blueprint for everything they’ve worked to accomplish. We’re excited for all that lies ahead!

Who’s your citizen of the year? Submit your nominations for the annual awards celebration from The Philadelphia Citizen, our social justice grantee partner. Last year, they honored Saleem Holbrook of social justice partner Abolitionist Law Center, among others. Help decide which civic all-star should be honored next!

Who Is Your Citizen of the Year? Announcing our second Citizen of the Year Awards. Nominate the most outstanding Philadelphians you know, today!