Stuart Comstock-Gay :: Delaware Community Foundation

Author Archive for Stuart Comstock-Gay

2021 and changes ahead

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020

· No Comments

It’s time to lean into a new normal. If ever a year required us to re-think how things have been done, it’s this one. And the renewed reckoning on racial equity in America is most certainly part of that new normal.

We at the DCF have been deeply focused on Covid response work over the past nine months. During this time, we’ve also reflected more deeply on the growing Black Lives Matter movement, and protests and organizing across the nation. We had the chance to welcome Wes Moore and to engage hundreds of Delawareans in discussions about the deep history of racial inequality, and the need that all of us be part of building a society that is inclusive and equitable.

A big part of how we at the DCF are working on these issues starts with what we learned from the Community Equity Project cohort, a group of Delaware leaders – people with experience addressing equity issues – who met for over a year to define a shared vision around racial equity. We are pleased to release the report of recommendations from this cohort, which will help us continue driving important conversations statewide.

Out of that group’s work, there are six commitments the DCF is making now and for the long-term:
• Make racial equity an explicit priority in all the work of the DCF.
• Increase the impact of resources invested in the community that focus on racial equity.
• Encourage civic discourse – spark conversations throughout Delaware on racial equity issues.
• Shine a light on research and data through our communications channels and events.
• Continue to bring together and rely on the expertise of the Community Equity Project cohort to move the work forward and build broader partnerships.

Those five bullets are only the beginning, and only scratch the surface of course. They have led to specific actions. A new board equity committee – chaired by former federal Judge Greg Sleet – is meeting to develop metrics and resources for the work. Our Wes Moore Building Opportunity event is leading to continued community conversation about how and where Delawareans can engage in this work. We will be launching a new grants program focused on organizations led by people of color. We will be working with consultants to review our own practices – organization-wide – to ensure we are implementing the best practices to ensure perspectives of people of color are represented, heard and honored.

It’s also only the beginning of our work. We know that over time, work on racial equity issues will evolve, improve, and change. And we are committed to being in this work for the long haul.

I also want to thank and honor the people who participated in the Community Equity Project cohort, who are helping lead us to these changes. They are: Daniel Atkins, Rosa Colon-Kolacko, Rebecca Cotto, Dorothy Dillard, Kim Graham, Marshala Lee, Shyanne Miller, Michael Minor, Cimone Philpotts, Jaclyn Quinn, Shardae White and Christian Willauer. Read more about them here. A shout-out also to Social Contract, the outstanding consultants who helped design and coordinate the process.

I urge you to take a look at the report. Each section provides important insights and suggestions.

• Developing an Equity Lens describes the cohort’s work to define equity, and to understand and adopt an equity perspective.
• Empowering Communities provides an overview of the centrality of communities in the journey toward equity and offers recommendations for placing communities and their work at the forefront of the equity journey.
• Restructuring for Impact focuses on the organizational changes necessary to transform structures and processes to support and ensure equity.
• Institutionalizing Equity addresses the changes necessary in public awareness and education as well as in policies and law to shift toward equity.
• The Evolution of the Community Equity Project describes the goals, participants and process of the Community Equity Project.

The year ahead is going to be a momentous one. As we begin to ramp out of the pandemic, we need to keep our eyes on the changes we need to pursue. And in our vision of a Delaware that serves all, racial equity simply must be part of the equation.

A movement, not a moment…and some day…

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Friday, November 20th, 2020

· No Comments

My synapses are firing, and I’m full of appreciation and joy!

Last night, hundreds of you joined us in a discussion with Wes Moore – about race, structural racism, hope, and passion. We also heard from a local panel, featuring Bebe Coker, Rev. Edwin Estevez, Alonna Berry and Charito Calvachi-Mateyko, responding to Wes and sharing their thoughts about where we are, and where we need to go.

Thank you to everybody who participated.

There is so much to digest and think about, but a few items stuck hard with me.

The racial awareness that has come about in 2020 is not, said Wes, because of something different that happened this year vs. last. Killings of, and harassment of, black men and boys have been with us for a long time, and are not going away. What’s different now is that we are in a movement, not a moment. And at some point, we will reach a time when we will say, “Can you believe racial justice was something people had to fight for?”

Wes also reminded us that we do not have the luxury of “looking past race,” when race remains the most accurate predictor of life outcomes in America.

Wes reminded us that every person’s story matters, and every story is interesting “because it is that person’s story.” Unfortunately, we too often don’t know people’s stories until it is too late.

And there’s not really room to discuss the powerful statements by all of our panelists. Suffice it to say, they were great.

Finally I appreciate that so many of us want to make progress. In his book Five Days, Wes says, “The figures in this book were each, in their way, fighting to prevent the tragedy of Freddie Gray from playing out again and again…In their small victories and looming failures, they revealed to me the importance of individual changemakers and the indispensable necessity of collective action.”

As for us at the DCF, we believe that collective and individual action to reduce racial inequities is and must remain central to all of our work. The work is not just a one-time thing, but will imbue all we do.

We are engaging in this work in a number of ways.

• Right now, in partnership with the Rodel Foundation, we are pleased to say that we will support a Delaware participant in the Black Voices for Black Justice Fund, a national initiative co-chaired by Wes.

• We are developing new grant opportunities focused on better supporting and investing in leaders of color, the organizations they lead, and the communities they serve.

• We are implementing recommendations of the fellows who were part of our Community Equity Project – their work will be featured on the DCF website in the upcoming weeks.

• And we are continuing to participate with the Delaware Racial Justice Collaborative being coordinated by our partners at the United Way of Delaware.

We are on a path. And we all have a part to play. And (using Alonna Berry’s metaphor), while none of us alone can move the wall, we all need to work hard on moving our individual bricks.

It all starts with each one of us, you know?

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Wednesday, October 21st, 2020

· No Comments

“You see all of these issues that we’re dealing with today and that the nation has been dealing with it for quite some time, that were all percolating under the surface, and it all came to light during these five days, post Freddie Gray’s death. The parallel to where the nation is now, post George Floyd’s death and in this pandemic era that we’re living in, the similarities, it’s a song that hasn’t stopped playing yet. And it will continue to play for quite some time.”
– DCF Board member Chanta Wilkinson, talking about Wes Moore’s Five Days.

Like everybody, I’m terribly preoccupied by the upcoming election. But I also want to make sure we’re all looking at the long-term issues as well. So I want to share just a few quick notes about the upcoming Building Opportunity Keynote event with Wes Moore, which will build on the ongoing DCF Book Circles, reading Wes’ book Five Days … We’ve given away 500 books — many more are on loan from the state’s libraries — and Book Circles are meeting across the state to discuss it. My personal book group meets this week, and I get to participate in a larger discussion on Nov. 10.

What’s clear is that Delawareans want to engage, to learn from each other, to listen, and to find ways to do the right thing. The Book Circle pictured here included some extremely thought-provoking statements, including the one I share above from Chanta Wilkinson. But I’m also struck by Ronald Hale’s comment:

I’ve seen many marches. I’ve seen the demonstrations. I’ve watched the tapes of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X and all of the other leaders who’ve marched before my time before I was even born. And the things are still going on. So when does the change really happen? How are we on this call going to make an impact in our communities and what are we going to do and who are we going to speak to? It all starts with each one of us, you know?

It is up to each one of us. Let us know what your group is talking about.

Cover of Wes Moore's book Five Days, showing a mural in Baltimore

Focus on equity, and Wes Moore

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Sunday, September 27th, 2020

· No Comments

Kelly Firment and Yolanda Rushdan hosted a book discussion on September 23. Share your pics and comments, too.

I felt hopeful that people with such powerful voices and so many gifts are willing to take such great risks to make sure that change happens. That made me hopeful. But I also felt a lot of anger and embarrassment for myself and for this country. To me, this is the kind of book that you have to participate in a book club for, because you have to be able to unpack it with somebody, otherwise it really weighs on your heart. The thing that I enjoyed about the book is that it really showed how one person can have this ripple effect throughout the community. – Margie Lopez Waite at 9/23/2020 book discussion

The book circles are underway. In our third annual series of book discussions, Delawareans are now using Wes Moore’s Five Days as a stepping off point for deep dialogue about race and equity in our country.

The book tells the story of the days after Freddie Gray was killed in Baltimore – from the perspectives of real people in the city – a business executive, a police officer, community activists, city councilman, and more. Through Wes’ book, we get a chance to hear the thoughts of many, all of whom want things to improve, but all of whom also see these challenges through their own lens.

Americans are seeking to confront our racial past, present and future. More of us are confronting our own role, our own opportunities, weaknesses, and biases. For me, I also come to this with a belief that the vast majority of us want to do the right thing, want to address the historical racism in the country, and and want to make change. But we don’t always know how to do that, have not done that yet, and recognize there is much yet to do. We owe it to our country’s future to lean in, reflect, learn, and be part of the solutions.

A colleague from the community foundation in Buffalo told the DCF Board recently that in their work on equity, they emphasize the importance of “calling people in to the conversation and the work, not calling people out [for their errors and weaknesses].” That’s how we hope this book helps the conversation. I hope this book contributes not just to the analysis, but also toward bringing people into the conversation, and inspiring the change we must see.

Wes will join us in a discussion on Thursday, November 19. We hope you will have read the book, talked with others about it, and are thinking about the change you can make before then. You can also join one of our larger book discussions – and can sign up on our website.

The 500 books we purchased for this event are, fortunately, already out in the hands of Delawareans. So we don’t have any more to send. But the state’s libraries have books to borrow (on-line, too), and the book is also available through on-line book portals. Please check it out, and join us on the 19th of November.

When you have your own book discussions, send us your observations, and photos, and we’ll share them as well. To do that, send comments to Kelly Sheridan (ksheridan@delcf.org).

Building Opportunity 2020: Wes Moore

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Thursday, August 20th, 2020

· No Comments

What a long strange trip it’s been. Others have said it in more clever ways, and with deeper analysis, but 2020 is turning out to be both the year we never wanted to see, and a year that has laid bare our deepest challenges, and will present opportunities to make America better than we’ve ever been.

The pandemic, economic crisis, a continuing political maelstrom… And across and intertwined in it all, a recognition that racial equity is at the core of so very many of our challenges. This work – around equity and race in America – is defining work of our time, and work that DCF is in for the long haul.

It’s for these reasons that we are welcoming Wes Moore as our 2020 Building Opportunity speaker.

DCF’s Building Opportunity speaker series began in 2018 with Robert Putnam, at which point we announced our commitment to focusing on the tragic opportunity gap in America. We promised to keep our attention on the need for a society where all members can flourish. We followed that up with Jim and Deborah Fallows, who traveled the U.S. talking with people who are rebuilding their communities.

And now Wes Moore. He’ll be talking about his hot-off-the-presses book, Five Days. Wes, a Baltimore native, Rhodes scholar, former White House Fellow, and now CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation, writes in this book about the aftermath of the killing of Freddie Gray in Baltimore. He tells the story through the eyes of eight people from vastly different walks of life in the city, from business executives to police officers to protestors and family members.

When we reached out to Wes last fall, we discussed our desire to focus our opportunity gap on a specific discussion of race. We thought we’d talk about his book The Other Wes Moore. I won’t describe it here, but it’s a fabulous book, and one that forces us to consider the thin line that often separates lives that are successful, and lives that are not. But then Wes pointed out that his new book would be coming out this summer. And it’s about a police killing, and racial injustice, and people trying to do something about it. It couldn’t be timelier.

Because what we’re seeing in the COVID-19 crisis is that people of color are affected in much higher numbers that white people. We’re seeing more people of color in jobs that keep them squarely in the cross-hairs of the coronavirus. And while these times affect all of us, the greater challenges for Black and brown people are part of our reality, one that DCF is committed to addressing.

This will be an important discussion. Please join us. You can do so in two ways.

First, again we have books to give out to Book Circles. We urge you to read the book, talk about it, and consider where we go from here.

And then join us on November 19 as Wes talks about the book, and the realities of America today. We’re finalizing the details for that day But we think you’ll find it worthwhile.

The Pandemic, George Floyd and Opportunity in America

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Tuesday, June 9th, 2020

· No Comments

The last two weeks in America have made clear once again the reality of our country’s racial injustices, past and present, and the deep opportunity gap that persists.

We are sad, angry, reflective and resolute. Our colleagues, neighbors and friends are hurting. The hurt is real. Even if we have not suffered discrimination personally, we simply must recognize that it insidiously diminishes what society could be – a community where all members can flourish.

First, the killing of George Floyd – as well as Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and other neighbors and citizens – and the ensuing public demonstrations reflect real problems. They remind us again that we have simply not done enough to address deep racial inequities in our country. They are a reflection of deep frustrations and of something broken in our core values.

At the same time, the last three months of pandemic experience have been another acute example of the way troubles in this country impact the least advantaged harder than ever – as COVID-19 has disproportionately affected black and brown communities.

Moreover, the COVID-driven downturn in the economy has hit businesses everywhere, but it has hit black- and brown-owned businesses hardest of all. Already, the number of working African American business owners in the United States has plummeted more than 40 percent, according to the Washington Post, and working Latino-owned businesses have dropped 32 percent, compared to 22 percent for businesses overall.

All of these factors tell us again, we simply have to go deeper in our work to change the story around equity and race. The lived experience of too many in black and brown communities is unacceptable.

The demonstrations are an important reminder that the work of racial equity is nowhere near done. They are a reflection of deep frustrations and of something broken in our core values.

At the DCF, we are committed to lifting up equity issues throughout our work and in our approach. We believe in the goal of the American dream, where all people have real and meaningful opportunity for a sustainable, healthy and happy life.

And while we believe that philanthropy has done much good, we also know that the philanthropic sector – including the DCF – needs to get better. We need to listen, engage, facilitate, support. We must leverage the privilege of our positions to achieve equity.

We set out on this path a few years ago when we started consciously applying an equity lens in all of our grant making and revised our grant making priorities – to focus on equity, youth opportunity and Latino communities. We also convened a Community Equity Cohort – a group of activists and leaders engaged in addressing structural equity issues – to develop a package of recommendations for change in Delaware.

But there is much more to do, and the past two weeks have reminded us that we must work harder.

In the coming weeks and months, we will take several steps. First, we are reconvening our Community Equity Cohort, and we will begin implementing some of their recommendations. We also are revisiting our grant guidelines and programs, to make sure we’re addressing the most critical needs of Delaware’s communities.

Most importantly, and at the same time, we will listen to the community and our allies for other approaches; we will participate in efforts to address our deepest challenges; and we will support efforts that will bring us closer to our collective goal of true racial equity.

We look forward to hearing from you, and learning from you, as we all endeavor to make the changes that are so necessary.

Mark Carter of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery and the DCF's Stuart Comstock-Gay recording podcast episode

Podcast Series Finale: Mark Carter, Beer & Benevolence Director at Dogfish Head

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Friday, March 13th, 2020

· No Comments

This first round of DCF podcasts concludes with a slightly different take. Dogfish Head beer is one of this state’s proud successes. And Sussex County local Mark Carter is the guy heading up their work in the community. Mark is committed to a healthy environment, committed to his kids, and an incredibly active member of numerous organizations – including the Delaware Nature Society, Milton Historical Society, Lewes Chamber of Commerce and others. He is also a former information officer for the US Marine Corps.

In this interview, we talk about how a private company can play an important role in building opportunity in our communities. Beyond the mere fact of employing many people, Dogfish Head has a deep commitment to strong communities.

Mark also talks about the role of the employees of Dogfish Head – being active as volunteers, suggesting projects for the company, and caring deeply about the places they call home. Their community work “permeates the brewery,” says Mark.

Mark probably hast the coolest job title of anybody I’ve met, but for him, it’s the coolest job, too – or as he says, “probably 99.9% the best job there…” Check it out, and hear his passion and commitment.

Listen to all nine episodes of Building Opportunity in Delaware at delcf.org/podcast.

5 Questions with Stu: Lynne Howard and Don Brown, Founders of the Howard-Brown Family Fund at the DCF

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Monday, March 2nd, 2020

· No Comments

It’s time for our first two-fer here on 5Qs – with Lynne Howard and Don Brown.

Lynne, a former government employee for the city (including a stint as chief of staff for the council), county (including time as Chief HR officer), and state (advisor on family issues for Gov. Carper); treasurer for the campaigns of Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester; consultant; longtime volunteer (including many years with the Christina Cultural Arts Center); and philanthropist/donor. Don, former assistant county attorney for New Castle County; former Chief Deputy AG for the state of Delaware; former Corporate Counsel for Dupont (16 years); pro bono counsel for low-income Delawareans; volunteer with DCF’s grants and scholarships committees; and philanthropist/donor.

I admire these people greatly, not just for their accomplishments, but for their decency and friendship. And for their commitment to giving back. Enjoy.

1. What first motivated you to get involved in philanthropy?

We were both raised in families that valued being engaged in community, educational, faith-based work, political issues and action. Our parents modeled these values, and we were taught to give of our time, talents and resources, however small, for the betterment of others to make a difference in our communities.

Lynne attended a college that taught about and valued giving to support those in need or to make a change in a community condition. She attended college in Atlanta, in the home base of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s work was an environment of community action and social justice, and that has remained with her to this day. Service to others was also a theme in Don’s college and early career as well.

2. What community endeavors are you proudest to support or engage in?

Areas of interest: education, childcare, arts, affordable housing, access to justice, and community health.

Organizations:

1. Christina Cultural Arts Center
2. Wilmington HOPE Commission
3. Mitchell Center for African American Heritage
4. Delaware Volunteer Legal Services
5. Children & Families First
6. Center for Educational Equity and Public Policy

3. Where do you see the greatest potential for philanthropy to drive change in Delaware?

Filling the gaps and complementing the work and financing where government and other funding support is just not adequate to make a sufficient difference. Philanthropy, in addition to providing needed resources to meet community needs, can also be a catalyst to inspire others to understand the gaps and needs and to step up with whatever they can bring to the table for the betterment of their community,

Philanthropy can also support bringing best practice experts to our community to enhance local work, research and advocacy already happening, thus moving action and improvements forward at a faster pace.

4. What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned through your work in philanthropy?

Effective and meaningful contributions need not always be financial. Giving can include the giving of time and talent in areas such as planning, strategic guidance, staff encouragement, mentoring, outreach, advocacy and supplementing an organization’s limited staff and resources

All should recognize that philanthropy happens in both small and large ways. A small organization can have just as major a need for a new printer as another might have for a new roof. It’s a matter of perspective. People often think that philanthropy means having lots of money to give. That truly does not have to be the case. All have something to give, time, talent or treasures. We all need to find a way to get that message out more effectively.

5. How does your philanthropy contribute to expanding opportunity for people in Delaware?

We select causes and organizations focused on making a demonstrated difference each day in their service mission. A good project, well-conceived and carried out, attacks urgent needs and delivers clear results while constantly assessing and improving programs. A top-notch organization sets the area of focus and constantly assesses the effectiveness of results and stays in close touch with its customers and clients.

We particularly look at organizations that serve the truly under-served sectors of our community and the diversity of our community, not just on paper but in reality.

ABOUT 5Q with Stu: This series is a chance to highlight philanthropists who are helping to keep Delaware a great place, and to make it better.

Episode 7, Rev. Edwin Estevez: Faith, Community and Opportunity

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Friday, February 28th, 2020

· No Comments

I love this discussion.

I feel like I could have talked with Edwin Estevez for a whole day. As pastor of the Grace Methodist Church in Wilmington, convening minister of the Riverfront Church, and active member of many diverse communities in Wilmington, Edwin is thoughtful, passionate and connected. We shared stories of our church backgrounds, and connected around why strong communities drive our respective work.

To me, one of the most compelling themes was the basic human idea of truly seeing each other – in our varied experiences, needs, backgrounds, and humanity. I believe there is a lot of today’s divide that is driven by misunderstanding, and not genuinely listening to others and trying to understand. In Edwin’s discussion, he talks also about organizations that he admires, and that includes those that “walk alongside,” but don’t try to dictate.

For me, whether the motivation for this kind of community work comes from a religious base or another sense of community, it can get us to a positive place.

Enjoy.

n.b. There’s a small oops in here. In our discussion of Francois Clemmons and Mr. Rogers, I said that Francois was the postman on Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. Later in the discussion, I realized my error, and acknowledged at the end that he was indeed “Officer Clemmons.” Mr. Rogers lovers will know what I’m talking about.

Proudly powered by WordPress
Built and Designed by 38solutions