Gathering Ground

In this episode of "Gathering Ground," host Mary Morten speaks with ChaNell Marshall and Delmar Gillus from Elevate about climate justice and sustainability. Chanel, Vice President of Program Support and Engagement, and Delmar, Chief Operating Officer, discuss Elevate's work in solar energy, policy advocacy, and healthy housing. They emphasize community involvement, equity, and the role of government support and innovative funding in reaching underserved communities. Tune in for practical steps to contribute to environmental justice.

Episode Highlights
- Elevate's work in climate justice and its evolution from CNT Energy
- The diversity and equity focus at Elevate, and how this drives their efforts in climate justice
- The importance of community involvement and partnership in reaching climate justice

Learn more about Elevate:
- Elevate: www.elevatenp.org
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ElevateNPOrg
- X: x.com/ElevateNPO
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/elevaten…ny/verification/
- YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCK7S5GkG8Fz8uGrkhYLzeHg
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/elevatenpo/

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Gathering Ground and leave us a review! Follow Morten Group, LLC on Instagram @mortengroup for more updates.

Visit the "Gathering Ground" main page: gatheringgroundpodcast.com

In this special episode of "Gathering Ground," host Mary Morten, President of Morten Group, sat down for a live conversation with Monique Brunson Jones, President and CEO of Forefront, to discuss the organization’s upcoming 50th-anniversary celebrations and its ongoing commitment to social impact.

Forefront's United and Thriving summit takes place on September 25th, 2024 and features thought leadership from John Powell (Othering and Belonging Institute) and opportunities for networking and collaboration.

Don’t miss the chance to engage with Illinois’ social sector leaders—register now for a day of learning, collaboration, and celebration!

Links and Resources:

- Forefront: myforefront.org
- United and Thriving Summit: myforefront.org/event/2024-annual-summit-united-and-thriving
- Converge Consulting: convergeconsulting.org
- Othering & Belonging Institute: belonging.berkeley.edu/

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Gathering Ground and leave us a review! Follow Morten Group, LLC on LinkedIn and on Instagram @mortengroup for updates and more content!

In this episode of “Gathering Ground,” host Mary F. Morten engages with four distinguished leaders in arts and culture: Michelle T Boone, CEO of the Poetry Foundation; Gabrielle Lyon, Executive Director of Illinois Humanities; Jane M. Saks, President and Artistic Director for Project&/Monuments to Movements; and Daniel O. Ash, President of Field Foundation of Illinois. They explore how their work at the crossroads of art, culture, and social justice fosters community engagement, creative expression, and systemic change.

Episode Highlights

- Insights into grant-making strategies and community-centric philanthropy
- The transformative power of art in social movements
- Unique journeys and contributions of each guest’s organization

Links and Resources
- Poetry Foundation: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/
- Illinois Humanities: http://www.ilhumanities.org/
- Project&: http://www.projectand.org/
- Monuments to Movements: http://www.monumentstomovements.org/
- Field Foundation: http://www.fieldfoundation.org/

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Gathering Ground and leave us a review! Follow Morten Group, LLC on Instagram@mortengroup for more updates.

READ THE FULL EPISODE 59 TRANSCRIPT

During this special LinkedIn Live event, Mary sat down with Imani Rupert-Gordon to continue the discussion from our May 8 episode, The Next Act: Succeeding a Longtime Leader.

Imani is the President of National Center for Lesbian Rights, her second role succeeding a longtime leader — earlier in her career she followed the founder of Affinity Community Services as their second Executive Director.

If you missed this conversation on July 16, now's your chance to listen in!

This episode of “Gathering Ground” explores strategies, challenges, and considerations for foundations planning to spend their endowments down and sunset. Host Mary Morten welcomes Heather D. Parish, Marianne Philbin, and Malila Becton-Consuegra, three leaders with firsthand experience in sunsetting foundations.

Read the episode transcript here: https://www.studiocchicago.com/gathering-ground-episode-57-transcript

Visit the "Gathering Ground" main page: gatheringgroundpodcast.com

This time on "Gathering Ground," Mary delves into the power of storytelling! Guests Julie Ganey, Terrence Chappell, and Willa Taylor unpack its impact on building communities, social justice, and how we're talking about our organizations.

You'll hear personal journeys into storytelling, tips for crafting powerful narratives, and learn how to navigate sharing vulnerable stories. Discover the power you hold as a storyteller and be inspired to share your voice authentically.

Visit the "Gathering Ground" page: gatheringgroundpodcast.com

This time on "Gathering Ground," Mary's guests each succeeded a long-time leader when they entered their roles — Joe Hollendoner, CEO at Los Angeles LGBT Center; Jose M. Muñoz, CEO at La Casa Norte; and Carol J. Sharp, President/CEO at The Night Ministry. They discuss the challenges, opportunities, and surprises of honoring a legacy while creating a new vision.

Visit the “Gathering Ground” main page.

Read the episode transcript.

This time on “Gathering Ground,” Mary engages in an insightful conversation with Akaya Windwood and Rajasvini Bhansali, authors of "Leading with Joy." They discuss the power of joy in leadership and team-building, creating supportive work environments, generational leadership succession, and much more.

In this episode, Mary and her guests, Sean Thomas-Breitfeld and Frances Kunreuther, co-directors of Building Movement Project, dive into the challenges and triumphs of BIPOC leadership in nonprofits. Centering data from the most recent Race to Lead Report, they explore data on racial equity and the importance of mentorship for future leaders.

This time on "Gathering Ground," Mary delves into the transformative equity work happening in Montana. She sits down with Montana's first openly transgender legislator, State Representative Zooey Zephyr, and Dani Hess, Community Engagement Coordinator at the City of Bozeman. They spend the episode unpacking their efforts at the state and municipal levels, particularly through initiatives like the "Belonging in Bozeman" Equity and Inclusion Plan. The episode also explores Representative Zephyr's reflections on running for political office and the importance of mentorship and self-love in navigating challenging spaces.

For more information on Morten Group's work with the City of Bozeman in creating their equity and inclusion plan, follow us on LinkedIn and check out the rest of our "Blueprint for Belonging" series with “Gathering Ground” Producer Vince Pagán-Hill!