The Wave - Tidester Voices

In this episode of The Wave, we’re talking with Charnell Ferguson, a Bowie State Fellow at Tides and a member of the Black Caucus ERG. Charnell’s journey is one of passion, resilience, and a deep commitment to social justice. From reestablishing the NAACP chapter at Bowie State University to leading a statewide youth coalition and working in politics, she shares how her experiences have shaped her understanding of power, advocacy, and the role of philanthropy in creating lasting change. She also opens up about her transition to Tides, how she’s learning to leverage philanthropy for social impact, and the work she’s most excited about as a fellow.

We also dive into Charnell’s personal inspirations, including the influence of her mother, the lessons she’s learned from grassroots organizing, and her commitment to amplifying the voices of those often unheard. She reflects on the power of community, the importance of self-care in movement work, and what being a true “change agent” means in today’s world. Tune in to hear Charnell’s inspiring story, her vision for the future, and why she believes that, no matter where you come from, it’s what you become that truly matters.

• Introduction to the episode and guest Charnell Ferguson – 0:32
• Charnell’s background and journey to Tides – 1:24
• Reestablishing the NAACP at Bowie State University and early activism – 2:20
• Entering politics: Internships on Capitol Hill and local government experience – 4:50
• Lessons learned as a Tides Fellow and key projects, including grassroots organizing – 6:16
• Navigating self-care and resilience in social justice work – 8:17
• Exploring the role of a “change agent” vs. activist or politician – 10:26
• How Tides shifted Charnell’s perspective on organizing and philanthropy – 11:28
• Would Charnell ever run for political office? Weighing the decision – 18:35
• Overcoming challenges and staying hopeful in social justice work – 20:20
• Reflecting on Black History Month and the importance of honoring Black excellence – 21:03
• Closing thoughts: Continuing the work beyond Black History Month and final reflections – 23:53

In this episode of The Wave, we’re sitting down with Linda Khoury, an Advisor of Partner Continuity at Tides, who helps guide partners through transitions—whether that’s spinning out into independent nonprofits or moving to a new fiscal sponsor. But beyond her role at Tides, Linda has also launched the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Employee Resource Group (ERG), creating a much-needed space for connection, education, and support. As a Palestinian woman, she shares why this ERG is so important, how recent events have impacted her personally and professionally, and why representation in philanthropy matters now more than ever.

We also get into the challenges of discussing Palestine and the Middle East in the nonprofit sector, breaking down misconceptions, and why these conversations—though difficult—are critical in building a more inclusive and informed workplace. Please note that we had a small technical issue with the audio partway through, but it clears up quickly, so stick with us! And as always, support the MENA ERG and all of our employee resource groups at Tides, and let us know your thoughts on this episode!

• Welcome to The Wave and introduction to today's guest, Linda Khoury. 0:00
• What does an Advisor of Partner Continuity do? Breaking down Linda’s role at Tides. 1:01
• What is "spinning out"? The process of organizations transitioning to independent nonprofits or other fiscal sponsors. 3:10
• The knowledge gap in philanthropy—why internal processes and documentation are crucial. 5:06
• Linda’s journey from working with both Tides Center and Tides Foundation to leading process-building efforts. 7:01
• How philanthropy can better support transitions for grassroots organizations. 9:12
• The inspiration behind the MENA Employee Resource Group (ERG) and why representation matters. 11:20
• How Linda’s Palestinian identity and activism influenced her leadership in the MENA ERG. 14:02
• The impact of October 7th and ongoing global events on MENA-identifying employees in the U.S. 16:45
• Addressing misconceptions about the Middle East and the role of education in dismantling harmful narratives. 19:38
• The teach-in on Palestine and Israel that Linda organized at Tides—what it covered and how it was received. 22:50
• Balancing corporate concerns vs. the need for open dialogue on social justice issues. 26:12
• How philanthropic institutions should engage in international social justice conversations. 30:06
• How internal ERGs can create safe spaces for difficult conversations at work. 33:55
• Strategies for making philanthropy more inclusive—both for employees and grantee partners. 36:41
• The challenge of knowledge management at Tides and tools Linda is implementing to streamline advisory services. 40:20
• The importance of cross-departmental collaboration in making philanthropy more effective. 43:50
• Linda’s vision for the future of fiscal sponsorship—how Tides can continue to innovate and improve. 46:38
• Final thoughts from Linda—what’s next for the MENA ERG and partner continuity at Tides. 50:12

In this episode of The Wave, we dive deep with Tareya Palmer, Senior Advisor at Tides and Program Officer for the Just Health Fund. Tareya shares her personal and professional journey, from growing up in Ohio to her career in philanthropy, including her work at Planned Parenthood and now at Tides. She opens up about her experiences navigating predominantly white spaces, her commitment to reproductive justice, and the critical importance of health equity. This episode is rich with insights on how grassroots organizations can drive change and the essential role of community voices in shaping equitable health outcomes.

• Personal background, family, and political experiences. 6:48
• Race, identity, and politicization in a small town. 12:37
• Identity, culture, and assimilation in a predominantly white high school. 19:28
• Police brutality and activism in Columbus, Ohio. 28:42
• Community voice, political power, and information sharing. 36:22
• Philanthropy, criticism of traditional approaches, personal journey in the field. 43:10
• Fundraising challenges and personal growth. 48:19
• Race, advocacy, and career changes in higher education and nonprofit sector. 54:08
• Reproductive justice, inclusive of various communities, and addressing harm and barriers to care. 1:02:36
• Just Health Fund at Tides, focusing on grassroots orgs and inclusive grant-making processes. 1:07:11
• Reproductive justice, education, and policy. 1:20:09
• Funding education and destigmatizing abortion. 1:24:11
• Healthcare disparities and advocacy for marginalized communities. 1:28:40
• Health equity and environmental justice. 1:36:28

In this audio conversation, we have a conversation with Christian Friend, Senior Director of JEDI at Tides, and Alia Stevenson, Development Manager with the Advancing Girls Fund, focusing on the celebration of Black History Month, Black excellence, and the challenges Black leaders face in the nonprofit sector. They delve into the importance of supporting Black leadership – specifically Black women – by addressing structural and organizational challenges and biases.

We cover the implementation of JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion) principles within organizations, the work of the Advancing Girls Fund to support young girls and women of color, and the personal motivations driving their commitment to this cause. Both guests share insightful perspectives on the necessity of internal reflection, systemic change, and the critical role of narrative and funding in empowering Black girls and women. We wrap up with a discussion of hope and the drive for continued work towards a more just and equitable world.

In this episode of The Wave, guests Paola Kim and Sophie Aziakou share their personal experiences as mixed-race/biracial individuals. Paola, a philanthropic advisor of Colombian and Korean descent, speaks about growing up with both cultures, her first language being Spanish, and the challenges of being biracial. Sophie, the executive communications manager, shares her Franco-American background with West African and Chinese heritage, including her international upbringing in France and the U.S.

We talk about topics like cultural identity, family histories, and navigating multiple cultural heritages. Both guests discuss the intricacies of identifying as mixed-race/biracial in professional and personal settings. They also talk about the importance of ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) in providing a space to connect with different aspects of their heritage.

"The core of JEDI is people first. And through this podcast, we'll get to learn about the people of Tides — the people of this community." Listen to Erwin explain a little about what The Wave is all about and how we can create a space to learn from and connect with each other.

This episode is from the archive, previously released on Undercurrents.

This episode is from the archive, previously released on Undercurrents.

Suneela Jain

• Identity: Portuguese and Indian American
• Role: Chief Legal and Ethics Officer

Vivie Nguyen

• Identity: Vietnamese American
• Role: Community Spaces Manager

Transcription of the podcast will follow shortly. In the meantime, please refer to the specific time-stamps below on the topics discussed. 

00:00 - 01:15: Introductions

01:16 - 03:58: Affinity Groups: Vivie's Role, Involvement, and Relation

03:59 - 09:08: Affinity Groups: Suneela's Experience and Identity

09:09 - 12:38: Vivie's Perspective on her Vietnamese Identity: Lunchbox Moment

12:39 - 17:58: Suneela's Perspective on her Indian Identity: Father and Meditation

17:59 - 25:13: Suneela's Identity and its Role in her Professional Career

25:14 - 28:49: Vivie's Identity and its Role in her Professional Career

28:50 - 31:04: Suneela's View on Tides and Authenticity

31:05 - 33:06: Closing Remark

Original Undercurrents Post