Join consultant, filmmaker and activist Mary F. Morten as she delves into what it’s like to operate within and outside of the nonprofit industrial landscape. Along with her special guests, Mary answers questions from listeners and covers topics including racial and gender equity, and the experiences of people of color in leadership development and the nonprofit workforce.

Guests have included Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, Rep. Zooey Zephyr, Gina Torres, Gina Yashere, Nina Rose Fischer, Tonika Johnson, Chicago Ald. Maria Hadden, Loretta Ross, Bridgit Antoinette Evans, Amina Dickerson and Janine Hill, Angelique Power, Tracie Hall, Teresa Younger, Darlene Nipper, Kaethe Morris Hoffer, Sean Thomas-Breitfeld, Yolanda Caldera-Durant, Sol Flores, Dorri McWhorter, Mark Ishaug, Katie Carter, Vu Le, and Edgar Villanueva. All episodes below.

C U R R E N T E P I S O D E

In this special bonus episode of “Gathering Ground,” we take a look back at some of our favorite conversations from 2024. Join us as we revisit the stories that moved us, the insights that challenged us, and the ideas that inspired us.

About Mary Morten & Morten Group, LLC

Mary Morten is the president of Morten Group (MG), a national consulting firm established in November 2001 to focus on clients in the nonprofit, for-profit and foundation fields. Morten Group provides a customized approach to solve organizational and resource development challenges and to explore new opportunities. Mary is a past director of the Office of Violence Prevention for the Chicago Department of Public Health. Prior to that, she was an appointee for Mayor Richard M. Daley and served as a director in the Commission on Human Relations. She holds a B.A. in communications with an emphasis in radio and television from Loyola University Chicago and is a member of Forefront, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and the Association of Consultants to Nonprofits. Mary serves on the faculty for Executive Director Boot Camp at the Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management at North Park University. She is a co-founder and current board chair for the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance.

Based in Chicago, Morten Group works with clients from coast to coast, focusing on organizational and resource development, including workshops on diversity and building communities of inclusion and access, racial equity integration and strategic planning, executive coaching and succession planning, and board recruitment and retention.

E P I S O D E A R C H I V E

In this special year-end episode of "Gathering Ground," host Mary Morten is joined by longtime friends of the podcast Angelique Power and Tracie Hall for the fifth annual Fireside Chat.

Together, they reflect on the challenges, resilience, and triumphs of Black women in leadership, sharing insights into their lived experiences navigating systemic inequities, fostering self-care, and building community in their work.

Episode Highlights
- Tracie Hall’s reflections on taking a sabbatical for rest and recovery, the importance of self-care, and navigating personal loss.
- Angelique Power’s deep engagement with Detroit’s history and community during her time at the Skillman Foundation and lessons in fostering trust and creating lasting change.
- The systemic barriers Black women face in leadership roles, including the unrealistic expectations placed on "George Floyd hires."

In this episode of “Gathering Ground,” host Mary Morten is joined by four leaders in climate justice and environmental advocacy to discuss the transformative impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and its potential to advance equity through climate action. Mary welcomes Anne Evens, CEO of Elevate; Adal Regis, Director of Elevate's Justice 40 Accelerator; Andrew Beideman, Chief Strategy Officer at Pritzker Traubert Foundation; and Tanner Yess, Co-Executive Director of Groundwork Ohio River Valley. Together, they share insights on ensuring that historically marginalized communities benefit from federal climate investments and explore how grassroots organizations can harness these opportunities to build sustainable futures.

Episode Highlights:
- The Inflation Reduction Act's $370 billion allocation and what it means for climate equity and economic growth.
- The roles of community-based organizations in accessing and deploying IRA funds to support climate justice.
- Opportunities within the IRA, including clean energy incentives, home rebates, solar programs, and electric vehicle initiatives.

Links and Resources:
- Elevate - www.elevatenp.org
- Justice 40 Accelerator - www.justice40accelerator.org
- Groundwork Ohio River Valley - www.groundworkorv.org
- Pritzker Traubert Foundation - www.ptfound.org

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Gathering Ground and leave us a review! Follow Morten Group, LLC on Instagram @mortengroup for more updates.

In this episode of “Gathering Ground,” host Mary Morton is joined by Lisa Gilmore, Senior Consultant at Morten Group, Kimberly Nao, Founder of Nao and Associates, and Xavier Ramey, CEO of Justice Informed, to explore the complexities of advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in today’s challenging socio-political climate. They discuss the personal experiences that drive their DEI work, the growing opposition DEI initiatives face, and offer insights into the importance of authenticity, strategic planning, and building community in pushing for equity and justice.

Episode Highlights:
- Navigating the current political climate and its impact on DEI initiatives.
- The importance of embedding DEI principles in organizational strategy.=
- Practical advice for listeners on sustaining DEI efforts amid opposition.

Links:
- Justice Informed, LLC - www.justiceinformed.com
- Nao & Associates - www.naoandassociates.com
- Morten Group, LLC - www.mortengroup.com

In this episode of "Gathering Ground," host Mary Morten speaks with Andrea Sáenz, President & CEO of The Chicago Community Trust, and Sol Flores, CEO of Knight Impact Partners and former Deputy Governor for the State of Illinois. Together, they explore their personal journeys, leadership experiences, and the critical role of philanthropy in driving systemic change. Tune in for a powerful discussion on leadership, diversity, trust-based philanthropy, and strategies for growing wealth and advancing equity in communities.

Episode Highlights

- The importance of diversity and empathy in leadership roles for women of color, especially Latinas
- Insights on trust-based philanthropy and equitable funding models
- The role of government and philanthropy in addressing systemic inequities

In this episode of "Gathering Ground," host Mary Morten speaks with ChaNell Marshall and Delmar Gillus from Elevate about climate justice and sustainability. Chanel, Vice President of Program Support and Engagement, and Delmar, Chief Operating Officer, discuss Elevate's work in solar energy, policy advocacy, and healthy housing. They emphasize community involvement, equity, and the role of government support and innovative funding in reaching underserved communities. Tune in for practical steps to contribute to environmental justice.

Episode Highlights
- Elevate's work in climate justice and its evolution from CNT Energy
- The diversity and equity focus at Elevate, and how this drives their efforts in climate justice
- The importance of community involvement and partnership in reaching climate justice

Learn more about Elevate:
- Elevate: www.elevatenp.org
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ElevateNPOrg
- X: x.com/ElevateNPO
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/elevaten…ny/verification/
- YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCK7S5GkG8Fz8uGrkhYLzeHg
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/elevatenpo/

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to “Gathering Ground” and leave us a review! Follow Morten Group, LLC on Instagram @mortengroup for more updates.

In this special episode of "Gathering Ground," host Mary Morten, president of Morten Group, sat down for a live conversation with Monique Brunson Jones, President and CEO of Forefront, to discuss the organization’s upcoming 50th-anniversary celebrations and its ongoing commitment to social impact.

Forefront's United and Thriving summit takes place on September 25th, 2024 and features thought leadership from John Powell (Othering and Belonging Institute) and opportunities for networking and collaboration.

Don’t miss the chance to engage with Illinois’ social sector leaders—register now for a day of learning, collaboration, and celebration!

Links and Resources:
- Forefront: myforefront.org
- United and Thriving Summit: myforefront.org/event/2024-annual-summit-united-and-thriving
- Converge Consulting: convergeconsulting.org
- Othering & Belonging Institute: belonging.berkeley.edu

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Gathering Ground and leave us a review! Follow Morten Group, LLC on LinkedIn and on Instagram @mortengroup for updates and more content!

Mary talks with four leaders in arts and culture – Michelle Boone (Poetry Foundation), Gabrielle Lyon (Illinois Humanities), Jane Saks (Project&/Monuments to Movements), and Daniel Ash (Field Foundation). They discuss how their work at the intersection of art, culture, and social justice fosters community engagement, creative expression, and systemic change.

READ THE FULL EPISODE 59 TRANSCRIPT

During this special LinkedIn Live event, Mary sat down with Imani Rupert-Gordon to continue the discussion from our May 8 episode, The Next Act: Succeeding a Longtime Leader.

Imani is the President of National Center for Lesbian Rights, her second role succeeding a longtime leader — earlier in her career she followed the founder of Affinity Community Services as their second Executive Director.

If you missed this conversation on July 16, now's your chance to listen in!

This episode of “Gathering Ground” explores strategies, challenges, and considerations for foundations planning to spend their endowments down and sunset. Host Mary Morten welcomes Heather D. Parish, Marianne Philbin, and Malila Becton-Consuegra, three leaders with firsthand experience in sunsetting foundations.

READ THE EPISODE 57 TRANSCRIPT

This episode of “Gathering Ground” explores strategies, challenges, and considerations for foundations planning to spend their endowments down and sunset. Host Mary Morten welcomes Heather D. Parish, Marianne Philbin, and Malila Becon-Consuegra, three leaders with firsthand experience in sunsetting foundations.

This time on "Gathering Ground," Mary delves into the power of storytelling! Guests Julie Ganey, Terrence Chappell, and Willa Taylor unpack its impact on building communities, social justice, and how we're talking about our organizations.

You'll hear personal journeys into storytelling, tips for crafting powerful narratives, and learn how to navigate sharing vulnerable stories. Discover the power you hold as a storyteller and be inspired to share your voice authentically.

READ THE EPISODE 56 TRANSCRIPT

This time on "Gathering Ground," Mary's guests each succeeded a long-time leader when they entered their roles — Joe Hollendoner, CEO at Los Angeles LGBT Center; Jose M. Muñoz, CEO at La Casa Norte; and Carol J. Sharp, President/CEO at The Night Ministry. They discuss the challenges, opportunities, and surprises of honoring a legacy while creating a new vision.

READ THE EPISODE 55 TRANSCRIPT

This time on “Gathering Ground,” Mary engages in an insightful conversation with Akaya Windwood and Rajasvini Bhansali, authors of "Leading with Joy.” They discuss the power of joy in leadership and team-building, creating supportive work environments, generational leadership succession, and much more.

READ THE EPISODE 54 TRANSCRIPT

In this episode, Mary and her guests, Sean Thomas-Breitfeld and Frances Kunreuther, co-directors of Building Movement Project, dive into the challenges and triumphs of BIPOC leadership in nonprofits. Centering data from the most recent Race to Lead Report, they explore data on racial equity and the importance of mentorship for future leaders.

READ THE EPISODE 53 TRANSCRIPT

This time on "Gathering Ground," Mary delves into the transformative equity work happening in Montana. She sits down with Montana's first openly transgender legislator, State Representative Zooey Zephyr, and Dani Hess, Community Engagement Coordinator at the City of Bozeman. They spend the episode unpacking their efforts at the state and municipal levels, particularly through initiatives like the "Belonging in Bozeman" Equity and Inclusion Plan. The episode also explores Representative Zephyr's reflections on running for political office and the importance of mentorship and self-love in navigating challenging spaces.

For more information on Morten Group's work with the City of Bozeman in creating their equity and inclusion plan, follow us on LinkedIn and check out the rest of our "Blueprint for Belonging" series with “Gathering Ground” Producer Vince Pagán-Hill!

READ THE EPISODE 52 TRANSCRIPT

Mary and guest Nina Rose Fischer explore the pursuit of safer communities through innovative programs such as the Youth Police Initiative. She guides us through the strategies that underpin these programs and foster positive relations between youth and police, including alternative incarceration, motivational interviewing, and de-escalation techniques.

In this episode, Mary dives into the world of Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, exploring her journey from law to politics and the unique perspective she brings to leadership. They delve into Stratton's initiatives like "We Thrive" and discuss the power of inclusive language in the fight for reproductive rights.

Filled with insights for BIPOC women and calls to action for all, this episode is an inspiring exploration of impact, community, and building a more equitable future.

READ THE EPISODE 50 TRANSCRIPT

This time, the amazing Gina Torres joins Mary on “Gathering Ground”! This Afro-Latina powerhouse shares her inspiring journey, from juggling acting dreams and odd jobs to captivating audiences with iconic roles like Zoe from "Firefly" and Jessica Pearson. They delve into character development, casting struggles, and the fight for inclusive storytelling, leaving you empowered and ready to celebrate diverse voices. Tune in for a conversation that illuminates talent, challenges myths, and sparks change.

Dive into Gathering Ground’s best moments of 2023! Relive inspiring talks with Angelique Power and Tracie Hall, laugh with Gina Yashere's "Bob Hearts Abishola" journey, and learn about self-care as a radical act. Grab a drink, cozy up, and let's gather, listen, and make 2024 even better.

This time Mary is in conversation with Tonika Johnson, a native Chicago artist whose work intricately weaves societal observations into creative expression.

From daily commutes bridging the city's diverse neighborhoods to groundbreaking projects like the Map Twins and Folded Map projects, Tonika reveals how her art dismantles barriers and uncovers the historical layers of systemic racism.

Gain insight into the enduring effects of segregation on communities like Inglewood and discover the transformative power of art in reshaping societal perceptions.

On this episode of "Gathering Ground," Mary and her guests discuss The Leadership Institute, a game-changing event hosted by Morten Group, LLC, and The Care Plan. Mary welcomes Jacqueline Boyd, Victor Motherwell, and Jacob Frazier, three key figures making the event possible. They delve into the institute's objectives, their unique session contributions, and how leadership is evolving in the modern workplace.

In August 2023, Mary moderated a panel with Kate Piatt-Eckert, Director of Forefront's Mission Sustainability Initiative, and Dr. Jennifer Madden, Dean of the School of Business at Linfield University. From their different lenses, they discussed the importance of collaboration and partnership between nonprofit organizations ahead of Axelson Center's upcoming conference, Synthesizing Strengths.

If you're listening before October 20, 2023, make sure you register for the conference by visiting Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management's website.

On this episode Mary sits down with stand-up comedian, writer, actor, and co-creator of "Bob Hearts Abishola" Gina Yashere. They discuss her experience with Chuck Lorre, the 2023 writers' strike, and her recently released book, Cack-handed: A Memoir.

Mary sits down again with Angelique and Tracie to talk rest, resilience, and renewal.

Mary, her co-host Monique Jones (President & CEO of Forefront), and her guests discuss trends in the social impact sector so far this year and what we can expect for the rest of 2023.

This time on "Gathering Ground," Mary and Monique were pleased to be joined by:

Vu Le
Founder of Nonprofit AF

Julianne Buck
Executive Director of Community Foundation of Grundy County

Mary and her guests discuss radical self-care — what it is, what it isn’t, and how it can be the driving force to lead us to liberation.

This time on "Gathering Ground," Mary was pleased to be joined by:

Jacqueline Boyd
Founder of The Care Plan

Jacqulyn Hamilton
Director of Wellness, Culture, and Action, Chicago Freedom School

Mary sits down with Karla Estela Rivera and Shannon Downey to discuss how they used their creative practices to stay connected with others and continue their activism efforts despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Karla's Instagram: @kestelarivera
Shannon's Instagram: @badasscrossstitch

This month, we’re thrilled to debut Inside MG, a new series on “Gathering Ground” that will give you an inside look into how we do what we do. Every Morten Group team member is essential in collaborating with our client partners in their vital work, and we want to introduce you to some of them!

For our first Inside MG conversation, Mary was thrilled to be joined by Morten Group’s Senior Project Director Geneva Porter and Client Relations and Project Management Director Sarah Menke, to hear all about executive placement at Morten Group.

In the second half of our episode, Mary, Geneva, and Sarah discuss their top five tips for jobseekers ahead of Morten Group's upcoming workshop, Finding the Right Fit: Do’s and Don’t’s for Job Seekers. Subscribe to Morten Group's newsletter today to be among the first to sign up when registration opens!

Take a look back into the “Gathering Ground” archives this month to a conversation Mary had with Janine Hill (SOAR Strategies) and Amina Dickerson (Dickerson Global Advisors). January is a month of intention-setting and resolution, and there is no better place to start than being intentional about self-care.

In this June 2020 episode of “Gathering Ground,” the three discuss their philosophies and strategies around coaching, offer advice on choosing a mentor that is a good fit, and the importance of self-care as a regular practice.

On this episode of “Gathering Ground,” Mary sat down with three phenomenal women who use their role and position as elected officials to ensure that their constituents feel the power in their voices and have space to use them to make change happen for their communities.

She was joined by Illinois State Representative Kelly Cassidy, Chicago Alderwoman Maria Hadden, and Minneapolis City Council President Andrea Jenkins to talk about some of this election’s hot-button issues and how citizens can participate in moving the needle and making a change in their communities. [Posted 11-15-22]

On this episode of “Gathering Ground,” Mary was thrilled to talk to Rahnee Patrick, Director of the Division of Rehabilitation Services for the Illinois Department of Human Services, and artist Sandie Yi. They discussed Rahnee’s experience at Access Living and the Department of Human Services and Sandie’s experience as an artist and disability culture worker. [Posted 10-26-22]

Resources:
Sandie Yi
State of Illinois Division or Rehabilitation Services
Access Living

In response to the Supreme Court's 5-4 decision to strike down Roe v. Wade, limiting access to safe and legal abortion across the country, Mary sits down with three women who continue to advocate for the individuals most impacted: Marie Khan, Director of Programs at Midwest Access Coalition; Natalie Moore, WBEZ journalist and playwright of The Billboard: A Play About Abortion, and activist and co-founder of SisterSong Loretta Ross.

Mary was thrilled to be joined once again by Tracie Hall and Angelique Power for another fireside chat — this time recorded on location in Detroit at the beautiful Motown Motivated Studios! Since missing last year's conversation, both of these powerhouses have continued to thrive in their work — Tracie as Executive Director of the American Library Association and Angelique as President and CEO of Skillman Foundation in Detroit.

If you missed part one of this episode, you can find it below or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please enjoy the conclusion of this phenomenal conversation between these equally phenomenal women.

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“Gathering Ground” will be taking a brief hiatus as we line up some exciting new guests for the fall. Thank you for tuning in for another season of “Gathering Ground.” We'll see you in September!

Mary was thrilled to be joined once again by Tracie Hall and Angelique Power for another fireside chat — this time recorded on location in Detroit at the beautiful Motown Motivated Studios! Since missing last year's conversation, both of these powerhouses have continued to thrive in their work — Tracie as Executive Director of the American Library Association, and Angelique as President and CEO of Skillman Foundation in Detroit.

As is often the case with Angelique and Tracie, our time together was so rich and meaningful that it couldn't fit into just one episode. Tune in on July 19 for part two of this amazing conversation!

Resources:
uniteagainstbookbans.org
skillman.org
ala.org

This time on “Gathering Ground,” Mary meets with Dr. Diana N. Derige, Vice President of Health Equity Strategy & Development at the American Medical Association’s Center for Health Equity, to discuss her role and the health disparities that are impacting Latinx and intersecting identities. Recently, alongside two of her colleagues, Diana edited and contributed to April's volume of the AMA Journal of Ethics titled Health Equity in US Latinx Communities. This issue of the Journal includes articles like "Should Clinicians be Activists?" "Latino Invisibility in the Pandemic," and "Language and Health (In)Equity in US Latinx Communities."

It’s no secret that the last couple of years threw workplaces across industries into an unexpected spin as we began to find ways to take care of their teams amid social reckonings and a global pandemic. Despite these efforts, many employers have started seeing the effects of what many refer to as The Great Resignation.

If you’ve ever partnered with us, you know that Morten Group does all of our work through an asset-based equity lens, so we encourage our client partners to flip the script and consider this an opportunity for a Great Retention. The time has come for us to ask, how can we foster organizational cultures that encourage our team members to feel they can succeed where they are?

In this month’s episode of “Gathering Ground,” Mary talks to two leaders in the executive placement field to get their take on this trend and find out how their experience compares to what we’ve seen in our work at Morten Group.

Don’t miss this great conversation with Kittleman’s Managing Director and Principal Michelle Saddler and NonprofitHR’s CEO Lisa Brown Alexander!

“Co-leadership: A New Division of Labor”

On this episode of “Gathering Ground,” Mary welcomes co-leaders from three different organizations to the podcast. They discuss the successes and pitfalls of co-leadership models, how their organizations took steps to break free from the single-leader hierarchy, and what they’ve learned from each other during their time as partners in their leadership.

READ THE EPISODE 30 TRANSCRIPT

This time on “Gathering Ground,” Mary welcomes activist, advocate, internationally recognized academic, and dear friend Dr. Cathy J. Cohen. Mary and Cathy discuss Cathy’s Black Youth Project, how it informed Mary’s 2011 documentary Woke Up Black, and GenForward and More Than Diversity, two of Cathy’s most recent initiatives. Later, they share experiences of the pandemic’s forced shelter-in-place providing unexpected family bonding; Cathy’s recent Freedom Scholar award; and her extensive work in the realm of HIV and AIDS. You won’t want to miss this special episode!

READ THE FULL EPISODE 29 TRANSCRIPT

This time on “Gathering Ground,” we were pleased to welcome Pop Culture Collaborative CEO Bridgit Antoinette Evans onto the podcast to discuss her work within and outside of the Collaborative. Mary and Bridgit talk about everything from the intersection of philanthropy and pop culture, Bridgit’s experience in Issa Rae’s writing room for “Insecure,” and Bridgit tells a fantastic story that exemplifies the importance of being able to tell your own story in the way that feels the most true to your experience.

This won’t be the last time she’ll be on “Gathering Ground,” but make sure you catch this episode to meet Bridgit and get an inside look at the place where activism and popular culture meet — Pop Culture Collaborative!

READ THE FULL EPISODE 28 TRANSCRIPT

As much as we wish things were different, young people engaged in organizing and advocacy work often need the support of accomplices to make sure they make it past the gatekeepers to the “adult” world — which is where this time’s “Gathering Ground” guests come in. Tony Alvarado-Rivera and Keisha Farmer-Smith work with Chicago Freedom School, a Chicago institution that creates new generations of critical thinkers who use their unique experiences and power to create a just world.

The work of the Freedom School has spanned almost 15 years and has earned it the Mary F. Morten Award for Justice at Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago’s BYOBrunch for Public Health. A little later in the episode, we also hear from Karen A. Reitan, President and CEO of PHIMC, about why CFS was chosen for this honor.

Earlier this year, Morten Group had the honor of working with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s office on a comprehensive racial equity training program that included collaborating with 40 state agencies on developing diversity, equity, and inclusion action plans. Through this process, we were able to take a deep dive into the inner workings of our state’s government and bring an equity lens to the very top — including having the pleasure of welcoming Governor Pritzker as he participated in one of our all-day sessions!

This time on “Gathering Ground,” Mary sat down with three of the leaders whose offices are making sure that they continue their racial equity journey and ensure that their work is being carried out throughout the state: Dr. Carmen Ayala, Illinois State Board of Education Superintendent, Dr. Sekile Nzinga, newly appointed Chief Equity Officer for the State of Illinois, and Dr. Christina Smith, Illinois Department of Human Rights Training Institute Director.

Each described how their offices were working to create a more equitable state for all Illinoisans, what they've learned so far during the pandemic, and how they are ensuring the work would not only continue, but thrive. [Posted 9-22-21]

READ THE FULL EPISODE 26 TRANSCRIPT

This time on “Gathering Ground,” we’ve brought back Building Movement Project Co-director Sean Thomas-Breitfeld to discuss the organization’s 2020 report, Race to Lead Revisited: Obstacles and Opportunities in Addressing the Nonprofit Racial Leadership Gap. Mary and Sean discuss the experiences of people of color in nonprofit leadership, what the pandemic and reopening have been like, and what’s coming next from Race to Lead. [Posted 6-30-21]

Take a look back at this special live episode from early April 2020, where we spoke to arts leaders from across the city to hear about what they anticipated for the arts during the pandemic. Guests included: Jessica Kadish-Hernandez, Morten Group consultant and co-founder of Chicago Artist Relief Fund; Michelle Boone, former Chief Program and Civic Engagement Officer at Navy Pier; Claire Rice, Executive Director of Arts Alliance Illinois; and Amy Eshleman, Chicago’s First Lady.

This time, Angelique Power (President, The Field Foundation of Illinois) and Tracie Hall (Executive Director, American Library Association) return to “Gathering Ground” to talk about their takeaways from the last year, how the world is different and the same, and how we encourage ourselves to keep moving forward.

(Here is the link to the Crain’s article referenced in the conversation.) 

This time on “Gathering Ground,” Mary sits down with some of Morten Group’s past and current client partners – Marie Kurose, CEO of Workforce Development of Seattle-King County; Ruth McFarlane, Vice President of Advancement at Ms. Foundation; and John Peller, President/CEO of AIDS Foundation Chicago.

 A year into the pandemic, the four begin their conversation with how COVID-19 has impacted their organizations and talking about their wins and challenges from the last year. They discuss how some communities are helping some of our most vulnerable populations, and, now that we are beginning

This episode of "Gathering Ground" is all about Morten Group and the Forging Innovation in Racial Equity (FIRE) Grant! We were thrilled to be joined by the staff of Morten Group client partner Erie Family Health Centers, as well as two members of our own team, to take a closer look at Morten Group's racial equity, access, diversity, and inclusion (READI) work and our exciting new FIRE Grant.

READ THE FULL EPISODE 21 TRANSCRIPT

This week, you'll have the chance to listen in to December 1's live recording with READI session facilitators Lisa Gilmore, Jessica Kadish-Hernández, Anedra Kerr, Amanda Paul, and Geneva Porter.

Mary and our experts spent some time responding to the questions we didn't get to answer during the Symposium (including a couple from our live audience).

This week on “Gathering Ground,” Mary is offering listeners an inside look into Morten Group, LLC's READI Symposium — that's racial equity, access, diversity, and inclusion — which was held virtually on November 10.

Following morning sessions on READI action planning, Mary welcomed a cross-sector slate of panelists to discuss the importance of READI efforts at participants' organizations, foundations, and companies. Hear from past “Gathering Ground” guests Sean Thomas-Breitfeld and Pamela Newkirk, who are later joined by Michelle Morales, Rahnee Patrick, and Audra Wilson for a conversation you won't want to miss!

This time on “Gathering Ground,” Mary sits down with career coaches Amina Dickerson (Dickerson Global Advisors) and Janine Hill (SOAR Strategies). During this powerful and informative conversation, the three discuss their philosophies and strategies around coaching, offer advice on choosing a mentor that is a good fit, and the importance of self-care as a regular practice. This episode’s listener letters include an alum in an all-white committee to discuss Black students’ needs and a young woman who needs advice on her mother’s problematic comments about her work in support of Black lives.

Connect with Amina at Dickerson Global Advisors.

Connect with Janine at SOAR Strategies.

This time on “Gathering Ground” Mary sits down with a pair of nonprofit powerhouses: CEOs Dorri McWhorter (YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago) and Mark Ishaug (Thresholds). The three discuss what inspired Dorri and Mark into their missions of service and how COVID-19 has affected their organizations, before delving into their leadership styles and what they wish they'd known when they were starting out. They also spend some time discussing the importance of emotional intelligence in the workplace, and the concept that Dorri and Mark are both familiar with — leading with love.

As always, they end by answering questions from our listeners!

Katie shares her background as a Midwesterner before her decision to take a leap of faith and resettle across the country in the Pacific Northwest, where her journey led her to the Pride Foundation. We also learn a little more about Katie's path from volunteer to CEO of Pride, a Seattle-based foundation that fuels transformational movements to advance equity and justice for LGBTQ+ people in all communities across the Northwest.

Katie also shares a little about Pride Foundation, the support they are offering their grantees as we continue the global battle against COVID-19, and how they will move forward and be nimble as the country figures out what our "new normal" is.

As always, we end by answering questions from our listeners!

From rapid response funds to resource reallocation to specialized webinars, leaders and boards across the philanthropic community are doing what they can to adapt to the needs of grantees and their constituents as they navigate the current state of the world. By lifting up the examples of two foundations' efforts to be more adaptive in real time, Mary and this fantastic panel discuss how public and private philanthropy is responding to the COVID-19 crisis. They also explore what nonprofits can do to supplement emergency resources provided by funders and end, of course, by answering questions from the audience.

Panelists include:

• Jane Kimondo, Executive Director, Crossroads Fund

• Vu Le, Founder, Nonprofit AF

• Michelle Morales, President, Woods Fund Chicago

These resources named in this episode and more are available at www.mortengroup.com/covid-19-resources.

Eric Ward's robust career has taken him from organizer to funder, and back to the communities he so valiantly stands up with. Listen to "Gathering Ground"'s latest episode to hear about Eric's work in the Pacific Northwest with Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment, where he worked with leaders across sectors to progress human rights and anti-violence work. Eric also discusses his past work as National Field Director at Center for New Community and work there in immigrant advocacy and public policy, as well as his ongoing battle against white nationalism and antisemitism. Now, Eric serves as Executive Director of Western States Center, an organization whose mission is to build a progressive movement for social, economic, racial and environmental justice in the eight Western states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and Alaska.

Learn more about Eric, his important work, and Western States Center on the newest episode of "Gathering Ground"!

READ THE FULL EPISODE 13 TRANSCRIPT

On this very special live episode of “Gathering Ground,” we welcomed a panel of individuals whose contributions and leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic are helping ensure support for artists across Chicago and Illinois communities. 

As we all know, this historic time has affected all of us, regardless of what our work is and how we carry it out. While many of us turn to work from home, individuals in the arts communities don’t have that luxury and have had arts, restaurant, and retail jobs alike pulled out from under them, in many cases overnight. 

This conversation brought together individuals from different levels of leadership who are working to assess and create channels of support for artists and arts organizations. After our panel discussion we took some questions from the audience!

These resources named in this episode and more are available at www.mortengroup.com/covid-19-resources.

Also available: the video on YouTube

This time on Gathering Ground, Mary sits down with Salamishah and Scheherazade Tillet, sisters and co-founders of A Long Walk Home, an organization dedicated to empowering young artists and activists to end violence against all girls and women.

Scheherazade, Salamishah, and Mary have a deep conversation about Salamishah's journey into academia, her experiences with sexual violence, and how watching her sister heal catalyzed Scheherazade's first major photo project and, ultimately, A Long Walk Home. They get into the reaction to their work on 'muting' R. Kelly, the #MeToo movement, and the life-changing impact of their organization.

This work is deep, emotional, hard, and victorious. They also discuss where Scheherazade and Salamishah find joy in this work and in their lives. Then, of course, they answer questions from some of Gathering Ground’s listeners!

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On this special episode of “Gathering Ground,” listen in on our first live-recorded episode: a conversation with Diversity, Inc. author Pamela Newkirk at Women and Children First Bookstore. 

Pamela and Mary discuss Diversity, Inc.: The Failed Promise of a Billion-Dollar Business and the need to explore nuance and data in the conversation of how we have and can continue to move forward in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

Diversity, Inc. addresses the progress of DEI in academia, corporate America, and Hollywood and puts the three worlds up against each other to examine how they all contribute to issues of systemic racism in the United States. Check out this special episode of “Gathering Ground” to hear Mary and Pamela's conversation about drilling down on the numbers and why doing this work is vital to our forward movement.

Following their chat, Pamela and Mary answer questions from their live audience. Don't miss this great interview!

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This time on “Gathering Ground,” Mary hosts two thought leaders and comrades in community-building and racial justice: Angelique Power (President of The Field Foundation) and Tracie D. Hall (Director of The Joyce Foundation's Culture Program).

Tracie shares with listeners her experience growing up in Los Angeles in the years following the Watts Rebellion, and the inspiration she found in the people and artists breathing life back into its rich community. Angelique speaks to being a child of the "first generation of the Loving Generation"* in Hyde Park, Chicago, her history of work in homelessness, and the complicated relationship many of us native Chicagoans have with the city — one of concurrent love and skepticism.

Mary, Tracie and Angelique go on to discuss Tracie's amazing, moving art Rootwork Gallery, and Enrich Chicago, which Angelique co-founded in 2014 to create pathways and skill-building opportunities for individuals of color to enter arts administration at all levels. The three discuss the state of philanthropy, the emotional labor of being a POC in the nonprofit sector, and much, much more.

Angelique and Tracie will definitely be back for a future episode of “Gathering Ground,” but for now, enjoy this conversation that can only be called magical!

* Angelique's mention of the "Loving Generation" refers to the generation of children born to the first interracial couples who were able to legally marry thanks to 1967's landmark case Loving vs. Virginia.

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This time on Gathering Ground, Mary and Teresa have some "real talk" about women's funds and philanthropy; Ms. Foundation's new strategic plan (which centers women and girls of color); and current foundation trends and the state of philanthropy for women and girls in the United States. Then, they give listeners some advice, including what to do if you and your supervisor are both burnt out.

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Mary and Vu trade stories about struggling along with nonprofit professionals who suck at vacationing; they discuss working with people who are new to the workforce; and Vu talks about the birth of Nonprofit AF . After a robust conversation about equity and inclusion in nonprofits (and particularly in philanthropy), Mary and Vu answer listener questions about the nonprofit experience, including how to measure progress on diversity, equity, and inclusion goals.

This time on Gathering Ground, Mary talks to Rockwood Leadership Institute's Darlene Nipper about how to connect to the work of the Institute and Darlene's journey from trainer to CEO. They end the episode by answering a few of your questions!

In Gathering Ground’s fifth episode, Mary talks to Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation's (CAASE) Executive Director Kaethe Morris Hoffer. The two discuss Kaethe's Quaker-rooted road to feminism, her experience in legislative advocacy, the #MeToo Movement, the vital work of CAASE, and of course, they answer a few of your questions!

This time on Gathering Ground, Mary talks to Building Movement Project's Co-Director Sean Thomas-Breitfeld. Mary and Sean discuss the different iterations of the Race to Lead report and dive into the nuances of collecting and presenting community data within and on behalf of the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. And as always, Mary and her guest answer questions from Gathering Ground's listening audience.

In this episode of Gathering Ground, Mary and Fund the People Vice President Yolanda Caldera-Durant discuss how Yolanda got her start in philanthropy and the important work of her organization. They talk about burn-out culture, talent investment, how we can support our nonprofit employees, and the amazing tools available from Fund the People, including their FREE toolkit, available at FundthePeople.org.

In episode two of Gathering Ground, Mary sits down with Sol Flores, former executive director of La Casa Norte and newly appointed deputy governor for the state of Illinois. Mary and Sol discuss La Casa Norte's new $20 million building and what it was like to fund-raise for it. They end by answering a few of your questions.

In the inaugural episode of Gathering Ground, Mary sits down with Edgar Villanueva, author of Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance. Mary and Edgar discuss the nonprofit industrial complex, the Native Way, and how we can use our philanthropy for healing and true community building.

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