Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Oh well it's that time again in the calendar year to take a moment and think about the history of black people in the United States of America.  But this year...I want to pose some questions to you.

Ending Modern Slavery

After stepping off the podium at the United Nations, President Obama made a special commitment – to ending modern day slavery. Not just in remote corners of the developing world. But here in this country as well. Many of the slaves today are girls. Born in this country. Hidden in plain view.

Race is NOT Just a Number

The Pew Research Center released their report, “The Rise of Asian Americans,” today, June 19, 2012 – the 30th anniversary of the fatal beating of Vincent Chin at the hands of Ronald Ebens and Michael Nitz, which led to Chin's death four days later and only a small fine for Ebens and Nitz (neither of whom have spent a single day in jail, for the record).  In some ways, I couldn’t think of a more ironic juxtaposition that highlights that we still live in an age where there is xenophobic fear of an “Asian Invasion”...

Jalia Ventures Launches Impact America at CGI America

View Commitment: CGI America Sustainable Finance Panel

New York, NY, June 12, 2012. Jalia Ventures, which makes early stage investments in mission-driven minority entrepreneurs, announced the launch of a business training and incubation initiative on June 8, 2012 as part of a Commitment to Action at the Clinton Global Initiative America Conference. Jalia Ventures is launching Impact America HBCU Venture Catalyst, a capacity-building initiative that will grow awareness of social and environmental issues, while providing...

Super Poderosas: Powerpuff Women

Whenever I hear about “self-deportation” among conservative debaters, I wonder if they really know what that means. After my father’s sudden passing when my mother was just 24, she decided to emigrate from the Dominican Republic to the United States, in search of a more promising future – for both of us.

Why Is Black History Month Important To Tides?

My grandfather was the first, and only, black man to own a small gas station in Elkton, Maryland.  His business development strategy involved hiring a young white man from the community to play the role of “boss” while he worked in the gas station as “the mechanic.”  My cousin was the first black judge in Wilmington, Delaware.  His image was burned in effigy in the town square during the 1960s.  And then there is cousin Grace, devoted mother, wife, and deaconess at the oldest Baptist church in the city. She rose through the ranks of the state correctional system to become one of the first senior level African American wardens in the state. I am proud of my family, and the many “firsts” they accomplished throughout their lives. Their stories are a part of my black history.

Black History Month at Tides: Equity In Action

Historian Carter G. Woodson started Negro History Week in 1926 to educate the American people about African-American history and to promote that history as a more significant part of American history as a whole.  Despite his original intentions and the federal expansion of the week into a month, critics rightly argue that African Americans and other people of color are still viewed as the exception to the majority white rule, and that this marginalization continues to be pervasive and at the detriment to economic and social mobilization.  We must fully embrace that this “exception” of race is the rule—as data shows—and more justly distribute resources and elevate opportunities to pursue true equity.

Racial Justice at Tides

It's an exciting time at Tides. Not only do we have a wonderful CEO in Melissa Bradley, who has just completed her first year of service with Tides, we have been building our capacity to build Black donor engagement and increase our support to Black communities. Tides has long been committed to racial justice. This is an important time for Tides to build it's relationships with communities of color broadly.

How Do YOU Define American?

Define American, a project of Tides founded by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas dedicated to changing the conversation about immigration, just launched a story feature that enables anyone, anywhere, to share their personal experiences as well as thoughts and beliefs about what it means to be an "American" today. Over 500 stories and definitions have already been submitted by immigrants and their allies, and will be unveiled over the next few days.  As Vargas noted, "I shared my personal story to lay bare the realities and complexities of living as an undocumented immigrant. But I'm just one person; it's just one story."  Take a look at Jose's video:

Why We Support the #OccupyWallStreet Movement

#OccupyWallStreet is clearly a people’s movement.  However, the media has attempted to undermine its legitimacy by minimizing its goals and effectiveness, and they have missed the power of this movement in addressing various issues and becoming a force in various cities, sectors, and elections.  As CEO Melissa L. Bradley comments, Tides is proud of #OccupyWallStreet and looks forward to the future of the movement.