Co-Executive Director Heather Parish joined other Black philanthropic leaders in an open letter published in Crain’s Chicago Business, How to achieve the just treatment of Blacks – and all people of color. “The 21st-century activists who lead peaceful protests in our city and around the world represent the full spectrum of race, class and gender identity. They have boldly shouted in unison that Black. Lives. Matter,” the letter notes and emphasizes, “Chicago’s civic and philanthropic communities also need to embrace this moment with bold leadership and action.” The letter’s signers advocate multiple avenues for civic and philanthropic leaders to take in order to advance equity in Black and other communities of color. Download the full article here. Listen to Chicago Foundation for Women President Felicia Davis discuss the letter on WBEZ.

The Pierce Family Foundation hosted a Racial Healing Circle for grantees on Tuesday, January 21 as part of the National Day of Racial Healing. More than 40 such circles were held during the week at agencies all over Chicago. At PFF’s circle, more than one dozen representatives from our grantees took part and offered a number of personal learnings and/or “aha” moments. The circle was hosted by trained facilitators from Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Chicago.