Reframing Philanthropy: Community, Legacy, and the Sum of Our Choices

Women for Good, a program of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa (CFNEIA), is hosting a free community event from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. on Sept. 14 at the Waterloo Center for the Arts featuring speaker Abena Sankofa Imhotep. Imhotep’s keynote is titled “Reframing Philanthropy: Community, Legacy and the Sum of our Choices.” Attendees will also enjoy refreshments, conversation and have an opportunity to learn about local nonprofits. Individuals can learn more and RSVP to attend the event at www.cfneia.org/w4g-reframingevent. “One of our core values at CFNEIA is equity, and we believe everyone must have an equitable opportunity to thrive. We are thrilled to be able to offer the opportunity for the community to hear from Abena about how we can rethink traditional philanthropy to become more equitable and inclusive for everyone,” said Laurie Everhardt, director of development at the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa. Abena Sankofa Imhotep is the executive director of Sankofa Literary & Empowerment Group, which creates spaces for lifelong learning and encourages dialogue on racial equity around the country. She is an advocate for humanitarianism, justice and education through her inclusive leadership on several boards of directors, including the American Red Cross Central Iowa Chapter, the African American Museum of Iowa, the Amplifying Black Voices in Iowa Advisory Board and Iowa Wesleyan University board of trustees. Imhotep has presented her human rights papers at the Global Citizen Forum's Nelson Institute, the Iowa Human Rights Research Conference and the University of Notre Dame Kroc Institute. She is a TEDx speaker, an International Relations major at Drake University and the author of the beloved children's book Omari’s Big Tree and the Mighty Djembe. More information about her can be found at www.abenasankofa.com.