Honoring Our Past; Powering A Movement: Los Angeles
As the Hazen Foundation prepares to honor its grantees with a final celebration in New York next year, here’s a look at its first convening event in Los Angeles.
“Honoring our Past; Powering a Movement” recognized the partnerships that Hazen built over the years with grassroots leaders and funders. It was a time of reflection and a reminder that collaboration sustains and propels it further.
The Los Angeles convening marked the first of two celebrations intended to commemorate Hazen’s legacy and commitment to supporting parents and young people of color in dismantling racial and social inequalities and uplifting the grassroots organizers on the front line of change.
“Being in this space with such amazing comrades in the work was so energizing,” said Marquetta Atkins-Woods, executive director of Destination Innovation, a Wichita, Kansas-based organization that aligns boldly-resilient young people with the tools and mindset to activate underserved communities. “The way that the Edward W. Hazen Foundation builds with the organizations it supports mirrors the community that it wants to see in the world.”
The Hazen Foundation was privileged to host the 2023 convening at InnerCity Struggle’s new building. InnerCity Struggle has served as a powerful voice for Eastside residents for more than 25 years. Since their inception, InnerCity Struggle has developed hundreds of leaders, redirected millions of dollars toward greater public investment in the Eastside and have helped undo policies that criminalized immigrant and Latinx families.
“Hazen has not only provided us the dollars necessary to do our work, but they have also been enthusiastic ambassadors of our work,” said Henry Perez, executive director, InnerCity Struggle.
The theme of the event “Honoring Our Past, Powering a Movement” honors the work of movement leaders while connecting them with like-minded funders who can support their work to create lasting change.
Marquetta Atkins-Woods, executive director, Destination Innovation; and Isabel Sousa, division director, Open Society Foundation emceed the event. For many grantees, Isabel was pivotal in shaping their relationship with the Hazen Foundation in her role as former program officer. “We honored our grassroots leaders whom we have entrusted with all of the foundation’s existing resources to carry the legacy of racial justice movement building forward,” said Isabel Sousa-Rodriguez. “When I am with them, I know that our future is in good hands and the Hazen Foundation has done it’s part to model what philanthropic partnerships should look like.”
Alberto Retana, Hazen board chair and president and CEO of Community Coalition, welcomed attendees with opening remarks. He shared how his partnership with Hazen evolved from grantee to board member — speaking to long-term relationships and the importance of having organizers in positions where they can influence the allocation of resources.
“The Hazen Foundation occupies a unique place in the field of philanthropy,” expressed Sophie Fanelli, president, Stuart Foundation.
Los Angeles City Councilman Marqueece Haris-Dawson joined the celebration, acknowledging the efforts of both Hazen and grassroots organizations. “It wasn’t until forces like Hazen came along, that said, ‘No, we want to fund youth organizing in a way so young students can be organized, the way labor unions are organized. Or the way seniors are organized. Or the way neighborhoods are organized. And because of that work, LAUSD is an entirely different place. The City of Los Angeles is an entirely different place. And this movement really took hold across the United States.”
Ofelia Bello, executive director, Youth United for Community Action, emphasized that the right type of support makes a difference in overcoming challenges in organizing. The partnership between funders and community organizers allowed Youth United for Community Action to secure the funding needed to buy their home in East Palo Alto and have a central hub for their community.
As the night came to end, Hazen president Lori Bezahler shared her gratitude for the youth and parent-led organizations, partners, and allies, acknowledging their collective efforts in dismantling racial and social inequities.
We look forward to continuing the celebration in New York City with our grantees, partners, and allies in January 2024. #PowerAMovement
