PFund's Racial Equity Initiative

This process is very inclusive, although we are at this time limiting participation to GLBT and allied individuals who self-identify as members of a community of color. If you know of someone else who should be invited to participate in PFund’s REI, please e-mail Marnita at marnita@marnitastable.org or Carl at carl@marnitastable.org, or call us at 612.928.7744.

Background: Celebrating and strengthening GLBT communities in the Upper Midwest, PFund Foundation (Philanthrofund) has hired Marnita’s Table to convene two focused conversations over the next few months.  We hope you attend our peer-to-peer exchange between GLBT and allied individuals of color interested in growing leadership capacity on behalf of themselves and other GLBT individuals of color.

In addition to a great meal, our first conversation will be a working session aimed at creating the framework and identifying leadership from, by and for GLBT communities of color.  This is a truly unique opportunity to build capacity to meet the specific needs of communities of color. 

What is your vision of leadership?  How can PFund help you strengthen your leadership skills most effectively?  What are the greatest needs in GLBT communities of color?  How can PFund learn from communities of color?

The Racial Equity Initiative (REI) represents a major investment in both money and time on the part of PFund as they build the groundwork for the REI over the next four years. The REI seeks to: 

Ø    identify, support and build skills of people of color  who demonstrate leadership in  GLBT communities;

Ø    encourage and support such individuals in stand-alone new and existing GLBT organizations of color in the upper Midwest;

Ø    increase PFund’s grant-making to stand-alone GLBT organizations by and for GLBT communities of color;

Ø    establish a permanent leadership program;

Ø    support existing autonomous organizations serving GLBT members of communities of color and strengthen their operational effectiveness

The REI is being funded by PFund in concert with a matching funds grant from Funders for Gay & Lesbian Issues. PFund has engaged Marnita’s Table to facilitate the process and identify, through your voices and input, leadership needs of GLBT individuals in communities of color.

The convening at Marnita’s Table will be the first of a series of events through at least the first year of the REI.

Your Role:

Ø    Listen and share ideas for developing GLBT leaders among communities of color;

Ø    Help us develop a vision for leadership from the Twin Cities, Greater Minnesota, and Upper Midwest;

Ø    Talk about barriers to success;

Ø    Suggest effective leadership training modalities;

Ø    Identify potential recipients of future PFund grants. What to Expect at Marnita’s Table Known for igniting enduring cross-cultural connection through intentional social interaction, Marnita’s Table is in a private family home in the Kenwood neighborhood of Minneapolis.  Experts at social capital building, this year we’ve welcomed over 1,100 people from around the world and the around the way to find common ground while breaking bread.

If you would like to learn more about Marnita’s Table, go to marnitastable.org. There is also a major feature in the current Utne Reader that gives a good overview of the work of Marnita's Table. Or look in The Rake Magazine, for another take.