Health Equity Advocacy Summit Series: November-December

• Examine modern-day racism;

• Share the latest updates on statewide policy wins and continuing challenges; and

• Discuss a new narrative to heal and move towards action.

November - December Summit Series Schedule

Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, 2:30 - 4:30p.m. MST

Post-Election Summit: What’s Next? The Role of Philanthropy in Advancing Equity through Policy

One week after the election, a number of questions may still be in play. Will we know who our president-elect will be? What will be the outcome of the Senate and House races? How will our country and our communities respond to this news? While our government may be in transition, what role might philanthropy play in supporting community-based efforts to build equitable systems through local and statewide policy? How can philanthropy partner with communities to advance democracy, inclusion and belonging? Featured panelists and moderator are noted below.

• Jehan Benton-Clark, Colorado Health Foundation

• Alison Friedman Phillips, The Women’s Foundation of Colorado

• Damion LeeNatali, Gary Community Investments/The Piton Foundation

• Crystal Middlestadt, Chinook Fund

• David Portillo, The Denver Foundation

• Moderator: Neha Mahajan, Transformative Leadership for Change.

Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. MST

Standing at the Gates of Hope: Stories from Three Women Who Bend the Arc Toward Justice

Our mission is to plant ourselves at the gates of Hope… The place of resistance and defiance… The place from which you glimpse not only struggle, but joy in the struggle. -Victoria Safford  

Aunty Puanani Burgess, Susan M. Glisson and Liz La quen náay Medicine Crow will reflect on their combined 100+ years of activism as women who stood in their power of resistance and defiance against patriarchal systems (the U.S. Navy, the University of Mississippi and the U.S. Government, respectively), and won. Through stories, they will share their wisdom on how to hold many roles (sister, daughter, mother, spouse, friend) while being a torchbearer and finding joy in the struggle. This memorable and essential conversation will be moderated by Kevin John Fong.

Liz La quen náay Medicine Crow (Haida/Tlingit), is from Keex Kwaan (Kake), Alaska. Integrating Native knowledge and values into organizations, governance mechanisms and everyday life is a primary passion and responsibility that Liz has pursued through her education and career. She currently serves as the President/CEO of First Alaskans Institute, whose vision is to preserve and progress 10,000 years of Native Alaskan wisdom. 

Born and raised in Evans, GA, Susan M. Glisson is a trained historian of social movements, a skilled educator, and an accomplished facilitator with a gifted capacity for community engagement and youth mentorship. As the founding executive director of the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, Susan has facilitated community-driven dialogue in sites with the most notorious histories of racial violence. Susan makes use of the power of stories to illuminate complex issues and liberate the human spirit. Her motivation is simple: "My mother taught me to leave places better than I found them.”

Kevin Kahakula'akea John Fong is a nationally recognized and respected cultural translator, facilitator and speaker in transformative justice, leadership development and organizational design. His mission is to clarify purpose, align principles and integrate systems to cultivate health and equitable communities. Kevin has facilitated over 100 community healing circles throughout Colorado.

Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, 2 - 4 p.m. MST

Colorado Legislative Summit: Planning for 2021

What’s in store for Colorado communities in 2021? Please join us in a conversation with state legislators from both sides of the aisle, who will share their plans and vision for the 2021 legislative session. We will address major issues affecting our state, such as the health and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the budget crisis and the housing crisis. The summit will include small-group conversations with the legislators about how community members can stay engaged in these issues. The summit is set to be moderated by Carol Hedges, executive director of the Colorado Fiscal Institute. The Colorado Trust and the Colorado Health Foundation do not support or oppose ballot initiatives, candidates or legislation.

For more information on the Health Equity Advocacy Summit Series, please contact Kevin Fong.