On Promise and Peril: Philanthropy's Role Today

I want to know what values and principles will guide your work in pursuit of justice and how will you hold yourself publicly accountable to striving to live out these values and principles each day. In my work supporting funders interested in a more community-centered and justice-oriented approach, the eagerness to sprint toward the creation and execution of solutions is inspiring, but without being firmly grounded in a set of values and principles their strategy is standing on a bed of quicksand.

Walk Your Talk: Anti-Racist Grantmaking for White Funders

Key take-aways from Camelback Ventures' Capital Collaborative webinar highlighting its critical #WalkYourTalk racial equity work with funders nationwide. Panelists shared their personal and professional anti-racist journeys and how they actively apply those lessons learned in advancing racial justice in their current philanthropic roles.

Student Writing: A Teacher's Secret Weapon During COVID-19

As schools open for the new year in whatever format, it is imperative that parents, teachers, and administrators are aware of the barriers to effective writing instruction and know how to overcome them.

Camelback Ventures’ Fellows See Dramatic Uptick in Demand for Tech Services from School Systems Across The Country due to COVID-19

“Camelback Fellows have been building solutions for a future that was coming, but is here now. This public health crisis has made painfully plain the equity gaps that exist in education. The CEOs we work with have known that this is an issue from day one and are ready to meet the moment…”

Camelback Ventures’ 4 Favorite Books To Advance Your Racial Equity Work (In Philanthropy) This Fall

When you know better, you can do better. And this is why striving to be “antiracist” in your philanthropic work is something that takes daily practice through tough conversations and taking the time to better educate yourself. One of the best ways to do this is by reading books.

What Am I Willing to Give? What Am I Willing To Give Up?

So often we ask the tough questions of the recipients of our funds … “What will success look like?” “How will you spend the money?” etc. While these can play a role in building understanding and trust, they also perpetuate a power divide and constantly put the people doing the difficult work in the hot seat.

What I Learned About White Leaders After Their Racial Equity Training

The first step in building an anti-racist society doesn’t start with a checklist. Too often a singular act (a company statement, a social media post, a donation, etc) makes white leadership feel like they’ve done their job. Adopting a racial equity ideology is transformative. It’s not simply about what you do, but how you chose to live your life.

Racial Equity In Philanthropy: Using White Privilege For Good

I believe it is first and foremost the work of white people - in this case, those in grant-making and investing - to have the courage to take the risks required, the kind of courage and risks that our friends and colleagues of color exhibit daily in the battle against systemic racism that they cannot opt out of. We shouldn’t either.

How The Capital Collaborative Helped Me See How I Uphold Racism In Philanthropy

I believe it is first and foremost the work of white people - in this case, those in grant-making and investing - to have the courage to take the risks required, the kind of courage and risks that our friends and colleagues of color exhibit daily in the battle against systemic racism that they cannot opt out of. We shouldn’t either.

I NEED TO KNOW YOU ARE WITH US.

I believe it is first and foremost the work of white people - in this case, those in grant-making and investing - to have the courage to take the risks required, the kind of courage and risks that our friends and colleagues of color exhibit daily in the battle against systemic racism that they cannot opt out of. We shouldn’t either.

perspectivesElizabeth BatesApril 15, 2020capitalcollaborative, structural racism, funders, grantmakingComment

Introducing the Camelback 2020 Fellows

Excuse us while we happy cry. We are thrilled to introduce the next cohort of Camelback Fellows, underrepresented entrepreneurs and incredible leaders in Education, Schools, Conscious Tech, and Local Economies.

fellow highlightsCamelback VenturesDecember 18, 20192020selectionComment

Generational Inheritance: We Pass Down More Than Wealth

“The intersection of inheritance, wealth, and racism was undeniable and the notion of ‘passing something along’ began to take on a different, more powerful meaning for me. It is through this lens that I realized the need to redirect our focus from generational wealth to building generational inheritance.”

from the ceo, perspectivesKelli SaulnyDecember 17, 2019Guardian SummitComment

Camelback’s Superheroes: Introducing the 2019 - 2020 Alumni Ambassadors

We’ve assembled a group of six alumni from around the country, kinda like our very own Camelback Avengers. We’re calling them our Alumni Ambassadors. They’ll be involved more in our decision-making process, culture building, and keeping connections going across cohorts.

perspectivesCaroline LutkewitteDecember 13, 2019Alumni Ambassador, #camelbackfamComment

When the Squad Gets Back Together: Reflections from our 2019 Family Reunion

“Our Camelback family is a space where entrepreneurs of color and women can be their most authentic selves and be in fellowship with others who understand their experience. I think that’s why I was so excited for our 2019 Family Reunion, and why it meant so much to rekindle this energy.”

fellow highlightsCamelback VenturesNovember 12, 2019meet the famComment

Names You Should Know: Finalists for the 2020 Camelback Fellowship

We are thrilled to introduce you to our 50 Finalists for the 2020 Camelback Fellowship. This is what we call our “would if we could” list; each leader and venture profiled here truly excites us. Read our profiles for all finalists in Education, Conscious Tech, and Local Economies.

fellow highlightsCamelback VenturesNovember 8, 20192020selectionComment

Everything You Love About New Orleans Is Black

“I want to see cultural sustainability through economic empowerment and the creation of good jobs. Where is the local music label? The Black Restaurant Group? The Black-owned textile company?” Nadiyah Morris, New Orleans native and director of our Local Economies track, reflects on the economic history and future of the city.

perspectivesNadiyah MorrisNovember 7, 2019new orleansComment

Bikes, the Bayou, and Decolonizing Wealth - meet our new ops manager Caroline

Meet our (relatively new) Operations Manager, Caroline Lutkewitte, who has been an instrumental part of keeping things running smoothly and helping us take our work to new levels.

perspectivesCamelback VenturesNovember 5, 2019meet the famComment

Meet the 2020 Semi-Finalists for the Camelback Fellowship

Since Camelback began, it’s been a part of our work cycle: searching, identifying, and sharing innovative, underrepresented social entrepreneurs. We are thrilled to share our list of 120 incredible Semi-Finalists in our 2020 Fellowship tracks in Education, Conscious Tech, and Local Economies; their passion, dedication, and perseverance is what fuels our team’s hustle.

fellow highlightsCamelback VenturesOctober 1, 20192020selection, instaComment

Janine Gomez and her mold-breaking school, I Dream Academy DC

A school driven by student’s passions. Schedules that feature time for meditation, peer support, and just creative energy on your dreams. A restorative place — this is I Dream Academy DC, and its founder is 2018 Camelback Fellow Janine Gomez.

fellow highlightsCamelback VenturesSeptember 9, 2019education track, janine gomez, i dream academy dc, school, janineComment

Carlos Vera: building equity in opportunity through paid internships

Paid internships means more youth can access experience and opportunity, creating equity and longterm value for our society. Pay Our Interns co-founder Carlos Vera shares his advice for applicants, his org’s recent success (and what’s next), and how the Camelback Fellowship has shaped his journey so far.

fellow highlightsCamelback VenturesAugust 29, 2019education track, dc, policy and advocacy, carlos veraComment

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