ORGANIZATION ADVOCATES FOR INVESTMENT IN BLACK COMMUNITIES

Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy recognized two local leaders during its annual Connecting Philanthropy and Community program, which took place in February. Corliss Garner and Jonathan Peck were honored for their work, which exemplifies a commitment towards advancing equity for Black communities in the city.
Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy recognized two local leaders during its annual Connecting Philanthropy and Community program, which took place in February. Corliss Garner and Jonathan Peck were honored for their work, which exemplifies a commitment towards advancing equity for Black communities in the city.

 Organization advocates for investment in Black communities

BY TIA CAROL JONES
     Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy recognized two local leaders during its annual Connecting Philanthropy and Community program, which took place in February. Corliss Garner and Jonathan Peck were honored for their work, which exemplifies a commitment towards advancing equity for Black communities in the city.
     Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy began in 1998 because African Americans who worked in the city’s social sector realized there was a need for a community, focused on
philanthropy, to respond to the needs of African Americans. It advocates for equitable philanthropy, as well as builds
infrastructure for equitable leadership.
     Jessyca Dudley, Chicago African Americans In Philanthropy director, and founder and CEO of Bold Ventures, said over time, CAAIP has become the organizing home and place
for African Americans working in philanthropy, as well as in non-profits and other parts of the social sector.
    Last year, there was not a Connecting Philanthropy and Community program. Dudley said it was because CAAIP didn’t want to be in fundraising competition with some of the organizations that were directly serving communities. This year’s event was virtual, with a keynote conversation that
featured Nikole Hannah-Jones, Pulitzer Prize winning reporter and creator of the 1619 Project and Kayce Ataiyero, Joyce Foundation managing director of communications.
     Dudley said with the conversation between Hannah-Jones and Ataiyero, who went to journalism school together, it was an opportunity for Hannah-Jones to have a different type of conversation than she has had in the past with other venues in Chicago.
    Dudley said it was not just about the 1619 project, but about her own leadership.
     Garner, head of corporate social responsibility and diversity, equity and inclusion at First Midwest Bank, received the 2021 Champion of Diversity Award. Peck, president and CEO of
CivicLab, received the 2021 Champion of Social Justice Award.
     “Corliss has a long history of working with Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy and other philanthropic
efforts across the region. So, it was exciting to be able to award her,” she said. “Jonathan Peck who has been a leader in the civic space was nominated for the Champion of Civic
Justice. That is an award that goes to someone working, specifically in a non-profit organization, that’s serving Black communities. So, we really had an opportunity to recognize those who don’t often get recognized for the important work they are doing to advance social justice through educating,
supporting and advancing Black communities.”
     Dudley said COVID was an opportunity to elevate racial disparities within these organizations. She said members of CAAIP really rose to the occasion of addressing and thinking
about innovative ways to address racial disparities within their organizations. She said it takes a toll on people. “I think, across all sectors, not just philanthropy, as African Americans,
we’ve really experienced the whiplash of being asked to leave our identities outside the door, but suddenly, during COVID, are being asked to be champions for racial equity and for that work,” she said. “So, I think our members are proud to have the opportunity to do that work and are working diligently to move resources to communities of color, but that is a taxing experience for anyone.”
    For more information about Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy, visit www.caaip.org.

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