The first day of the 2017 CEP Conference in Boston is in the books, highlighted by a moving and inspiring opening plenary from Equal Justice Initiative Founder and Executive Director Bryan Stevenson. Sharing stories from his life and work, Stevenson discussed issues of racial disparities, inequality, and a broken criminal justice system, outlining four steps necessary for funders — and society more broadly — to move toward a realization of justice: 1) get proximate to the issues we seek to solve, 2) change the narratives that underline and perpetuate injustice and inequality, 3) maintain hope, and 4) turn that hope into action by not being afraid to take on challenges and do what is uncomfortable.
It was an action-packed and powerful start to the conference. Through tweets from attendees using hashtag #CEP2017, here is how Day 1 unfolded:
After CEP President Phil Buchanan kicked off the conference with welcomes and thank yous, Grant Oliphant, president of the Heinz Endowments and chair of the CEP Board of Directors, took the stage to provide context for the importance of foundations in the current moment — and what the current moment demands of foundations.
Intro from @go_grant at #CEP2017: The world and the people we aim to serve need us to be brave right now, not timid; engaged, not cautious.
— Daniel Silverman (@DanielTweetman) April 4, 2017
"Our common and historic task is not political but human; not partisan, but moral" – @go_grant #philanthropy #cep2017
— Center for Effective Philanthropy (@CEPData) April 4, 2017
Since we don't know the answers or even the right questions 2 ask, active listening w/those we hope 2 serve is a must. @go_grant #CEP2017
— Debra Jacobs (@DebraMJacobs) April 4, 2017
"The world does not need our oh so safe timid neutrality right now," says Heinz Endowment CEO addressing philanthropy convening in Boston.
— Joanne Kelley (@JKelleyCO) April 4, 2017
Following Oliphant’s words, Public Welfare Foundation President Mary McClymont introduced Stevenson, providing background on his and the Equal Justice Initative’s work on issues of justice and mercy, including providing legal support for death row inmates, children prosecuted as adults, and the abused in the criminal justice system, and its work to establish a museum and national lynching memorial. Stevenson then took the stage, where he delivered a memorable and powerful talk about this country’s past, present, and future, and what it will take to achieve a truly just society.
Bryan Stevenson takes the stage at #cep2017 speaking about our broken criminal justice system. pic.twitter.com/0IBp7PmRBQ
— Grace Chiang Nicolette (姜韻聲) (@GraceNicolette) April 4, 2017
Our struggle to be relevant and effective means we have to go into the margins of society to understand problems in proximity #CEP2017
— Linda Baker (@Lindasbaker) April 4, 2017
At #CEP2017 opening session, Bryan Stevenson encourages philanthropy to "get proximate to the problems" it aims to solve. @CEPData
— Jim Canales (@jcanales) April 4, 2017
"If we are going to advance justice, we must change the narratives that sustain inequality and injustice." – Bryan Stevenson #cep2017
— Center for Effective Philanthropy (@CEPData) April 4, 2017
Bryan Stevenson of @eji_org at #CEP2017: The fight for #socialjustice requires not just new policies, but new narratives.
— Daniel Silverman (@DanielTweetman) April 4, 2017
Fear and anger fuel and justify oppression says Bryan Stevenson #CEP2017
— Fay Twersky (@FayDTwersky) April 4, 2017
"We need to talk about the fact that we live in a post-genocide society" Bryan Stevenson of @eji_org #cep2017
— Nicky Goren (@NickyGoren) April 4, 2017
Bryan Stevenson: True evil of American slavery was narrative of racial difference that endures today @eji_org #cep2017
— Pam Foster (@pamfoster31) April 4, 2017
https://twitter.com/JawharaTariq/status/849391248167317504
Bryan Stevenson discussing facing history: "When we tell the truth about our history, we can find something greater." #cep2017
— Center for Effective Philanthropy (@CEPData) April 4, 2017
"Hopelessness is the enemy of justice. Hope is what allows you to stand up when others tell you to sit down." #BryanStevenson #cep2017 pic.twitter.com/LasclaXpHC
— Kresge Education (@kresgedu) April 4, 2017
"Injustice prevails where hopelessness persists." – #BryanStevenson #CEP2017 pic.twitter.com/bpdSscBDum
— Ethan McCoy (@ethan_mccoy) April 4, 2017
https://twitter.com/Hayden_Couvi/status/849394266791129090
"We can't change the world just through hope. We must be willing to do the uncomfortable." – Bryan Stevenson #cep2017
— Center for Effective Philanthropy (@CEPData) April 4, 2017
Bryan Stevenson:4 things 4 justice – proximity to communities, narrative change, remaining hopeful, & be ok w/ being uncomfortable #cep2017
— Nicky Goren (@NickyGoren) April 4, 2017
We have to make the choice to do what is uncomfortable. Justice is not comfortable or convenient says Bryan Stevenson #CEP2017
— Fay Twersky (@FayDTwersky) April 4, 2017
"The opposite of poverty is not wealth. The opposite of poverty is justice." Bryan Stevenson keynote #cep2017 pic.twitter.com/kxoJvSBGUZ
— Richard Ober (@dickober) April 5, 2017
"Our commitment to a just society is reflected in how we treat the broken, the criminal, the undocumented." #BryanStevenson #cep2017
— Kresge Education (@kresgedu) April 4, 2017
'The opposite of poverty is justice' and you have to get proximate!. Mr. Stevenson speaking truth & beating the drum for justice! #cep2017 pic.twitter.com/sqVi06lbF4
— Susan D Hairston (@HairstonSusan) April 4, 2017
Remarkable speech to open #cep2017 https://t.co/f0mhkILbwF
— Dan Smith (@DanPSmith) April 4, 2017
A standing ovation for Bryan Stevenson at #cep2017 pic.twitter.com/RPoYlV0aT5
— Center for Effective Philanthropy (@CEPData) April 4, 2017
Following Stevenson’s talk and an opening reception, CEP and Media Impact Funders partnered to host an advanced screening of the yet-to-be-released documentary, Sacred Cod. The film tells the story of the cod fishery in the Gulf of Maine and explores the complex interplay between social and environmental issues which resonate across numerous conservation efforts throughout the United States. Following the screening, filmmaker David Abel, Wilburforce Foundation Executive Director Paul Beaudet, and Media Impact Funders Executive Director Vince Stehle discussed the film and the conservation and social issues it brings to light. For those who were unable to make the screening, the film will be aired nationally next Thursday, April 13th, on Discovery Channel at 9 pm EST.
.@davabel, @VinceDaily, and @WilburforceFdn's Paul Beaudet discussing @SacredCodFilm #cep2017 pic.twitter.com/Nz4bpBLEP7
— Center for Effective Philanthropy (@CEPData) April 5, 2017
In examples of conservation successes, philanthropy and govt come together to collaborate on economic development & community need #cep2017
— Center for Effective Philanthropy (@CEPData) April 5, 2017
Next phase of the story told in @SacredCodFilm reported by filmmaker @davabel in yesterday's @BostonGlobe — https://t.co/LoGflR4wcD #CEP2017
— Media Impact Funders (@MediaFunders) April 5, 2017
That’s a wrap on a great day one! Remember to follow along tomorrow and Thursday through the hashtag #CEP2017 to make sure you don’t miss a thing.
Ethan McCoy is senior writer – development and communications at CEP.
