On the heels of a contentious election cycle and in the midst of transitioning global dynamics (that doesn't sound familiar at...), Missouri-born Maya Angelou delivered a powerful message during the 1993 U.S. Presidential Inauguration. Her poem, On the Pulse of Morning, confronted what had been and offered hope for what could be in the United States. She assured:
History, despite its wrenching pain,
Cannot be unlived, but if faced
With courage, need not be lived again.
This month and over the coming year, PhilMO is holding space to remember and reflect — with courage — upon recent history. We're listening and engaging with community partners as well as with our Members to understand how the philanthropic landscape has been shaped by the last decade. What we learn will shape what comes next from PhilMO — on-going deep listening, reflection, and action are our way forward. {Read the full Member message from PhilMO CEO Michelle Miller here}
While we look forward to engaging with Members in coming months, in coming weeks we hope you'll engage with community. Find a selection of in-person and virtual opportunities below. We are also including a range of media (podcasts, articles, opinion pieces, documentaries, etc.) that are also accessible regardless of location.
Special Note from Michelle: This moment is heavy, moreso just weeks after the harrowing loss of Sonya Massey. Each of us experiences uniquely. Our vision of a thriving, equitable Missouri served by collaborative, purpose-filled philanthropy comes into focus through our shared work. So, I gently remind you to take care of yourself and ask you check in with others. If you need to pause, please give yourself that grace. And remember that free, confidential support is a mere call away via the 988 mental health hotline.
Opportunities for Community Engagement (All Times Central)
MULTI-DAY
- 8/5 - 8/12: As I See You Art Exhibit @ Urban League Ferguson Community Center (9420 W Florissant; 63136); free to public Noon-5PM
- 8/8 & 8/9: Memorial Vigils @ Episcopal Church of St. Stephen’s and the Vine in Ferguson; 4-8PM; free/no registration
- 8/7 & 8/8: AFP St. Louis Chapter Conference @ Harris Stowe State University (related keynote 8/8)
- 8/9 - 8/11: Call to Faith Leaders to host a Mike Brown Jr. Youth Affirmation Worship Service
- 11/20 - 11/22: Facing Race National Conference @ St. Louis Convention Center
THURSDAY, 8/8
- 2-4PM - Meet N' Greet: Get to Know Chosen for Change @ Delmar DivINe (5501 Delmar Blvd, 63112), free/no registration
- 5-8PM - Chosen Fathers: Panel Discussion of Our Children Before the Hashtag @ MO History Museum (5700 Lindell, 63112)
- 7PM - All Member Access Nine Network Rebroadcast: Ferguson 10 Year Later: A Living St. Louis Special
FRIDAY, 8/9
- 9-11AM - Unity Walk @ Normandy High School (6701 St Charles Rock, 63133) to Canfield Drive (63136); required free registration
- 11:55AM - All Member Access Moment of Silence to Remember Michael Brown, Jr. (wherever you are)
- Noon & 7PM - All Member Access Broadcast of excerpts from 8/7's #Ferguson & Beyond: A Community Conversation 10 Years Later @ KWMU 90.7FM
- 11AM-3PM - Youth Empowerment Summit @ .ZACK Theatre (3224 Locust, 63103); free with application for youth 15-25 years
- 6:30-10:30PM - Black Ball Fundraising Gala: Sneaker Edition with David Banner & Dr. Starsky Wilson @ MO History Museum (5700 Lindell, 63112); tickets start at $100 & benefit Chosen for Change
- 9PM - All Member Access View 13 Days in Ferguson Special Ft. Cedric the Entertainer on CBS and Paramount+
SATURDAY, 8/10
- 7-11PM - Story Stitchers 10 Year Anniversary @ .ZACK Theatre (3224 Locust, 63103); VIP Reception $100 (7-8PM); Awards & Album Release (8-11PM)
SUNDAY, 8/11
- 11AM - Michael Brown Jr. Youth Affirmation Worship Service @ St. John’s UCC (4136 N Grand); required free registration
MONDAY, 8/12
- 11AM-1PM - Youth Justice Day of Action @ Deaconess (1000 N. Vandeventer, 63113); 11AM Press Conf with Mr. Michael Brown Sr., MCU Parent Organizer; Noon-1PM Community Defense Training for Faith Leaders; required free registration
THURSDAY, 8/15
- 2PM - Philanthropy-Focused, All Member Access Healing Towards the Future: Reflecting on Mike Brown, Jr., the Ferguson Uprisings, and Building Power with Our Collective Grief; register here; webinar exploring philanthropy's role in resourcing interventions to advance safe & thriving communities
SATURDAY, 8/17
- 7-9PM - Going Out with a Laugh: Comedy Fundraiser @ Mozay (200 N. 13th, 63103); $25; benefits Chosen for Change
SATURDAY, 9/7
- 9AM - Prayer Breakfast with Archbishop Rozanski @ St. Ferdinand at Saint Martin DePorres (615 Dunn Rd, 63031); required free registration
THURSDAY, 9/26
- 6-10PM - Unflinching Progress @ 21C (1528 Locust, 63103); registration; benefits Forward Through Ferguson
Media to Explore
Black Philanthropy Month Reading List (NPQ) Philanthropy-Focused
Show-Me Learning Library Book List (Philanthropy-Focused, shared at PhilMO's "Bridging Divides" 2024 Statewide Conference)
Overcoming Racial Equity Fatigue (Stanford Social Innovation Review)
Fatal Police Shootings Since 2015 (Washington Post database)
We Live Here: 10 Years After the Ferguson Uprising (podcast relaunch)
Ferguson Rises documentary
STL Public Radio Ferguson Anniversary Landing page & Community Survey
NineNetwork-PBS Ferguson 10 Years Later Landing Page
Governor Calls for Sheriff to Resign after Sonya Massey Shooting (CNN, 08/07/24)
10 Years Later: Dr. Dwayne Proctor Reflects (Philanthropy Focus, KSDK, 08/08/24)
Governor Calls for Sheriff to Resign after Sonya Massey Shooting (CNN, 08/07/24)
The Future Before Us (Organizer Perspective, Boston Review, 08/07/24)
Ferguson 10 Years Later: A Living St. Louis Special (Nine Network-PBS, 08/05/24)
Michael Brown Jr.'s Loved Ones Hold Memorial to Honor His Legacy and Call for Justice (STL Public Radio, 08/02/24)
Local activists had major impact before, during, and after ‘The Ferguson Uprising’ (STL American, 07/27/24)
Ferguson shows resilience 10 years after the shooting of Michael Brown (STL American, 06/26/24)
If you engage with a meaningful related report, article, podcast, etc., we'd love to hear about it! Send a note to info@philmo.org so we can share with other Members.