Why I Took Down Last Week’s Post

Thank You to the Readers and Friends Who Helped Me See My Impact

Last week, I posted on a topic that I have been eager to engage with for some time—the power of foundations to influence societal and community agendas. I chose to post this piece in response to an article about the Mellon Foundation published in a major monthly magazine. I linked to this article about the Mellon Foundation, which contained an unfair attack on one of the most important progressive foundations and foundation leaders in America. I wanted to broaden the topic from one foundation to the foundation sector, but in promoting that link, I amplified negative impact on a colleague whom I deeply respect.

That was a poor decision. I failed to properly vet the material I was amplifying, and I regret the negative impact that failure had.

Shortly after I posted the piece, I heard from a few close friends about my choice. They were concerned that I was amplifying an author who has sought to undermine racial and social justice and was now also attacking one of the most important leaders in the foundation sector, professionally and personally.

I am grateful that several people I so admire were willing to share their feedback with me, encourage me to reflect on what I had missed, and offer me the opportunity to learn about my own gap in awareness.

No Excuses

As I said in my post, I didn’t agree with The Author about his attack on Mellon’s approach or focus. His mission is to undermine Mellons’ critical funding to advance art and culture related to all forms of social justice—especially the rights of Black and Brown communities, trans people, and other groups who have faced ongoing oppression. Upon reflection this weekend, my piece made equivalent all forms of foundation influence related to health, education, climate, and more with racial and social justice issues. But, due to the historical, structural, and systemic inequities embedded in American society, there really is no equivalent. I should have known better.

Especially now, as the government has launched a full-scale attack on all efforts to address the oppressive history of our country, batching racial equity with all forms of influence was a mistake on my part.

While I still believe that Americans need to pay more attention to the ways that wealthy foundations affect all aspects of our society, the work of racial justice foundations, like Mellon’s, is of unique importance for humanity and democracy.

Living in Privilege

Perhaps more important was that my piece platformed The Author’s hit on Elizabeth Alexander, the courageous president of the Mellon Foundation. The Author questioned Elizabeth’s integrity, mission, and even her family. In my haste to raise the volume on foundation influence, I failed to acknowledge the harm of The Author’s words. For this, I apologize.

I have been in the room with Elizabeth in the past and have had the opportunity to receive her wisdom. Her and her family’s contributions to racial justice and civil rights have been critical to progress in our country. I failed to acknowledge her contributions in my piece last week. And, as one of my close friends reminded me, my failure to do so illustrates the level of privilege I hold as a white male foundation CEO in America. She shared with me that I will never be attacked for the work of the Stupski Foundation, but women of color in the foundation sector (and most any sector) are often targeted, threatened, and undermined by people like The Author. My friend’s feedback gave me pause.

I so regret that I missed the opportunity to show support for Elizabeth last week. After a year when so many colleagues of color, particularly in the foundation sector, have seen their jobs evaporate in the wake of the retreat from racial justice and DEI, I am embarrassed that I had such a lack of thoughtfulness to have platformed The Author. According to my colleague, The Author has been working to undermine work for justice for years, and he simply should not have been acknowledged in Who Gives?!

I am in a more comfortable and privileged position. And while I have benefited from reading recently published books by Gabriela Alcalde and Vanessa Daniel, clearly their messages have not fully permeated my conscience. I still have work to do so that I can better ensure my actions, however unintentional, do not have the consequence of undermining leaders I admire and support.

Gratitude

Upon reflection, I have pulled last week’s post. I simply do not want to amplify or platform the harm that The Author seeks to achieve.

I am grateful to the readers and friends who shared their concern and feedback with me. I know that the acknowledgment and regret in this week’s post cannot undo the harm my post from last week has caused. I do hope that my work to date and the relationships that I hold dearly might provide me with some grace. I have learned a valuable lesson and will continue to work and grow.

Going forward, I am committing to a more rigorous vetting process for the pieces I amplify, especially if they critique others in our sector. I understand that accountability is not just about acknowledging negative impact, but ensuring it doesn’t happen again.

—Glen