The Power of Podcasting: The Convergence Partnership Approach to Reimagining Grant Reporting
In 2020, Convergence streamlined and transformed our grantmaking application and reporting requirements, deepening our commitment to equitable and responsive grantmaking practices and elevating community voices. Rather than final written reports, we collaborated with Working Narratives to offer grantees the option to have their work documented through locally produced podcast episodes. This guide shares practical tips and resources for funders reimagining their reporting practices.
Season 1, Episode 5: The Legacy of Lead in Buffalo
Season 1, Episode 5: In this episode, local audio producer and artist Maria Ta shares the multidisciplinary community theater project by Ujima Company to educate their community about lead poisoning. Their Legacy of Lead production brings forward the stories of those directly impacted by lead poisoning and educates the community about how concentrated poverty adversely affects the health of communities of color. The second segment, hosted by Andrea Ó Súilleabháin of the Partnership for the Public Good, discusses strategies for racial justice and health equity in the fight against lead poisoning in Buffalo homes and neighborhoods with Rahwa Ghirmatzion from PUSH Buffalo, Jessica Bauer Walker of Community Health Worker Network of Buffalo, and Maria Ta of Ujima Company. This episode is hosted by Justice Gatson, a Kansas City based organizer, who organizes intersectional movements that uplift the voices of the most marginalized groups.
Season 1, Episode 4: Fighting COVID-19 Gentrification and Housing Displacement in California
Season 1, Episode 4: In this episode, local audio producer Lety Valencia of Faith in the Valley shares the fight against evictions and displacement in California’s San Joaquin Valley. She interviews organizers who worked with residents as they faced a slew of evictions and a lack of response by elected officials. The second segment, hosted by Francisco Dueñas of Housing Now, engages housing activists and policy experts from Housing Now’s statewide coalition who share frontline experiences of the fight for housing rights in California. We hear from Héctor Malvido of Ensuring Opportunity Campaign, Ethan Hill & Ali Akhtar of UAW 2865, Sonya Gray-Hunn of Congregations Organized with Prophetic Engagement, Cynthia Guerra of Kennedy Commission, and Christian Flores of Inland Congregations United for Change. This episode is hosted by Justice Gatson, a Kansas City based organizer, who organizes intersectional movements that uplift the voices of the most marginalized groups.
Season 1, Episode 3: Kansas City, Missouri: Black and Latinx Solidarity for Justice
Season 1, Episode 3: In this episode, local audio producer Cynthia Fails interviews Ave Stokes about a year-long process to bring Black and Latinx communities together to heal historic divides and build collective power. Stokes describes why this work is critical for the racial justice and health equity movement in Kansas City, MO, and what they are learning from the process. Stokes also shares his reflections on funding disparities faced by Black and Latinx led organizations and the challenges these disparities pose to building grassroots power. The second segment, hosted by Justice Gatson of Reale Justice Network, continues the conversation, further examining the year-long process of bridge-building between Black and Latinx communities in Missouri. We hear from Victor Morales of Kansas/Missouri Dream Alliance, Mo Del Villar of ACLU of Missouri, Edgar Palacios of Latinx Education Collaborative, Ave Stokes of Alive & Well Communities, and Hakima Tafunzi Payne of the Uzazi Village. This episode is hosted by Justice Gatson, a Kansas City based organizer, who organizes intersectional movements that uplift the voices of the most marginalized groups.
Season 1, Episode 2: Building Housing & Power in Louisiana
Season 1, Episode 2: In this episode, local audio producer Marquel Dominique interviews House of Tulip’s co-founders–Mariah Moore and Milan Nicole Sherry–about what inspired them to work for transgender and gender non-conforming housing justice in New Orleans. In the second segment, Morgan Shannon of Power Coalition for Equity and Justice and Milan Nicole Sherry share the stories that drive them to fight for justice by providing mutual aid and building grassroots power in the face of the pandemic. This episode is hosted by Justice Gatson, a Kansas City based organizer, who organizes intersectional movements that uplift the voices of the most marginalized groups.
Season 1, Episode 1: Getting Everyone Onboard with Equitable Transit in Chicago
Season 1, Episode 1: In this episode, local audio producer Joey Lieberman visits the Washington Heights and Logan Square neighborhoods with two community leaders who work on equitable transit-oriented development. We learn how Elevated Chicago and their partners are working together to create walkable and equitable communities in the face of displacement from gentrification. In the second segment, Kendra Freeman, a vice-president with the Metropolitan Planning Council, hosts Juan Sebastián Arias, Deputy Director of Policy Mayor’s Office, and Ghian Foreman, president, and CEO of the Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative. This episode is hosted by Justice Gatson, a Kansas City based organizer, who organizes intersectional movements that uplift the voices of the most marginalized groups.
Power of Podcasting: A Guide to Reimagine Grant Reporting
In 2020, Convergence streamlined and transformed our grantmaking application and reporting requirements, deepening our commitment to equitable and responsive grantmaking practices and elevating community voices. This guide shares practical tips and resources for funders reimagining their reporting practices.
Getting Ahead of Lead in Western New York
The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is working alongside their grassroots partners to apply a racial equity analysis and support community organizing to elevate the voices and experiences of community residents of color, and address lead in housing.
Community First and Forever in the San Joaquin Valley
In California’s San Joaquin Valley, over 150 community partners and funders are working together to build and advance a racial and health equity agenda based on the priorities of community members.
Investing in Grassroots Organizing for Racial and Health Equity: A Case Study and Recommendations for Funders
Creating healthy and sustainable communities of opportunity requires changing systems and structures to center the priorities and well-being of low-income communities of color. This report chronicles the story of how the Convergence Partnership, after more than 10 years into its tenure, learned to lean into the leadership of local advocates and embrace the power of grassroots organizing.