BLACK FOX FELLOWS | A Year of Learning, Contribution, and Connection with OC365 | Opportunity Collaboration

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BLACK FOX FELLOWS | A Year of Learning, Contribution, and Connection with OC365 | Opportunity Collaboration

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Black Fox Global began the Black Fox Fellows program in 2019 to support women of color in philanthropy in achieving ever-higher levels of influence. Each year, the program sends up to three Fellows to Opportunity Collaboration (OC), an annual “unconference” centered on alleviating global poverty and the various intersecting social issues.  Scroll to the bottom of this post for the inspiration behind the creation of the Fellowship, and information on nominating a Black Fox Fellow for 2022!

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This year’s offering took a new form called OC365, which consisted of nine virtual sessions held monthly (Jan-Sep). Our 2021 Black Fox Fellows shared highlights from their OC experience, and what they’re working on next:

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Emily Caccam | Schooner Foundation: The only thing I knew about OC beforehand was that it was known for the incredible relationships that came out of it. The OC365 model allowed relationships to develop naturally over time, rather than the “speed-dating” that often characterizes most conference settings. We were able to have conversations in between and outside of the monthly OC sessions. It became easier to identify areas of alignment, and opportunities for partnership were able to develop organically (rather than under the pressure to optimize the limited time of a single day-long conference). The initial sea of Zoom squares had soon become a patchwork of familiar faces, and we all became not just co-delegates, but colleagues and peers. When I relocated cities while still working remotely, it was those OC relationships that welcomed me to the sector here in my new city and helped create a sense of professional community that I’ve been missing with remote work. Even though OC365 has ended, these connections continue to grow and flourish into meaningful fellowship.

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Akosua Ampofo Siever | Root Capital: The intimate colloquium sessions were powerful moments for connecting on a personal and professional level.  Our group had a wonderful facilitator Zohra, who created an atmosphere of zen and an opportunity for sharing, learning and growth. I look forward to staying in touch with my cohort who were both a source of support and inspiration.  The breakout rooms and small group workshops were also another opportunity to build new connections and I have ended the year with many new friends and allies.

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Akosua: I appreciated the multifaceted audience and the thoughtful and sometimes provocative questions raised. Because the community includes both donors and implementers it was interesting to reflect on the unique and overlapping challenges we face in our individual work and as a community. The discussions at OC365 played a role in our vision for a more inclusive model of philanthropy. Something Emily and I are going to be spending a lot of time building in 2022 and beyond.

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Emily: It can be far too easy to blur the personal with the professional – especially in a field where the professional motivations often stem from deeply personal experiences and realities. To adapt a phrase, for many, the personal is professional. There are very few settings where we are invited to show up as our whole selves, not just our job titles or the organizations we represent – but OC challenges its delegates to do just that. It challenged me to really consider my values, my vision, my mission. But not only did OC provide space to simply consider these tenets of our identities, but it inspired the agency to act on them. What did I want to do? What could I offer to this sector? What did I need to learn more about, and from whom? How could I engage meaningfully in not just this conference, but in the broader social impact community? OC served as a monthly exercise in learning to find my seat at the table, and this ongoing personal growth has been the most invaluable outcome of this experience.

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In the past few years, the philanthropic sector has seen a rise in socially conscious giving. More attention has been given to the deep-rooted power dynamics and overlapping systems of oppression that characterize the sector, and concepts such as “decolonizing wealth” and “trust-based philanthropy” have been gaining traction. However, as this terminology circulates, we can’t help but ask “what does this actually look like?” What are we rebuilding after we dismantle? How do we turn these phrases into reality and not just industry jargon?

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This has led us to develop a radically inclusive vision for the future of philanthropy and development – pooled, community-managed funds that shift all decision-making power to the individuals and families that services seek to benefit.  We are looking at how many communities have already been modeling this for us, and engaging others directly in conversation to develop these concepts into actionable steps for all stakeholders.

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OC365 has been an incredible asset in this process. In addition to fostering connections that we are engaging with directly, the OC community has served as a reminder that this kind of work is not only needed, but wanted and supported, and we will continue engaging this community even after OC365 has commenced.

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The wake up call came in 2018 at the Women Moving Millions summit.  The pivotal moment came when Vanessa Daniel of Groundswell Fund shared from the stage:  “If you are not actively working to dismantle racism, then you are on the moving sidewalk contributing to it.”  I felt both shock and a visceral ache.  I fancy myself a good person, and yet there I was … on the moving sidewalk.

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At that time I didn’t know yet what I could contribute that could shift things as urgently as I felt, and as urgently as was needed.  So in crafting a Fellowship for women in the sector to participate in the life changing Opportunity Collaboration “Unconference” – helping to advance their careers (SDG5 is the focus of my personal philanthropy), Topher Wilkins, OC’s CEO, suggested being an ally to women of color in philanthropy.  YES!  We went a step further to design a fellowship around women of color on the funding side of the table.  This is for a number of reasons, not the least of which is ensuring more funding goes to proximate women leaders.  For this to happen we need smart, wise, connected and informed women of color in greater and greater positions of influence and decision-making within their funding organizations.  If Black Fox Philanthropy could help contribute to this, then I was All In.

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The 2019 cohort was able to attend OC in person, and it has been incredible to stay in touch with them, including collaborating with two of the Fellows at the recent Hatch 100 Summit.  2020 was a pause for the conference world, and 2021 saw this current stellar cohort of women in varying stages of their careers, with the common thread of being fierce, compassionate, and strategic leaders; the impact they will no doubt have over the arc of their careers and lifetimes will be immeasurable.

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For my part, getting to connect with these Fellows monthly outside of OC was a joy!  Their engagement level and their passion for moving key conversations and solutions forward – and effectiveness in doing so – has been a gift to witness.  The sector and the world are better places today because of these women, and I will relish watching them continue to be unstoppable in the years ahead.

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Nominate a Black Fox Fellow for Opportunity Collaboration in the Dominican Republic from September 25 – 29, 2022.  Fellows will also participate in OC365, the online community that comes together monthly throughout the year for game-changing deep conversation and collaboration.  Or self-nominate!

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We are seeking ambitious women of color from the funder community who crave greater influence in affecting deep and lasting change, particularly around creating a more just and equitable world.  Alignment with Black Fox Code a plus.  Send nominations to brittan@blackfox.global by January 31, 2022.