The Kresge Foundation’s Post

The monograph on the life and work of Kresge Eminent Artist Nora Chapa Mendoza, celebrated and groundbreaking painter, cultural activist and gallerist, is now available. Chapa Mendoza — the 16th artist to receive the honor in recognition of professional achievements in an art form, contributions to the cultural community and dedication to Detroit and its residents — received her monograph on Thursday at a festive event at the Mexicantown Community Development Corporation in southwest Detroit. The event featured performances by Mariachi Femenil Detroit and Milagro Compañía de Ballet Folklórico and remarks from Kresge President Rip Rapson, Kresge Arts In Detroit Deputy Director Katie Grace McGowan and Ozzie Rivera, a member of the committee that chose Chapa Mendoza as an Eminent Artist. Hard copies can be requested at no cost while supplies last. (Photos by Darrel Ellis) Learn how to order or download a copy: https://lnkd.in/eCgABb3Q

Kresge has recently welcomed three new staff members to its communications and investment departments (left to right): • Emily Bertsche serves as Kresge’s newest investment director and will recommend and monitor investment opportunities across public markets. • Maria DeLorenzo joins the foundation’s External Affairs and Communications team as a communications officer and will support Kresge’s Social Investment Practice and Education Program. • Sarah Moreau joins as the new internal communications officer and will support Kresge’s departmental teams.

Kresge has committed to expanding access to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with two new permanent $1 million endowment funds at Thurgood Marshall College Fund and UNCF, both renowned for creating pathways to higher education for underrepresented students. We shared this news this week at the TMCF CEO awards, which went to our own Rip Rapson on behalf of his and the foundation's longtime support for HBCUs. In addition, Kresge is offering both organizations a $500,000 challenge grant if they raise matching funds. We hope these grants will be a game-changer for Detroit high school graduates aiming to attend HBCUs, which have long been pivotal in advancing educational equity, economic mobility, and leadership opportunities for Black students. HBCUs have produced incredible success stories for over 150 years. Today, 6 of the top 10 out-of-state colleges that Detroit high school graduates matriculate to are HBCUs. Yet, many students need help to afford these life-changing institutions. Kresge’s investment and ongoing support from TMCF and UNCF will help bridge this gap and build a stronger pipeline to educational and career success.

Now in its third year, the Thrive Leaders Network has announced its newest cohort of fellows. The Thrive Leaders Network – composed of Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) higher education and postsecondary nonprofit executives – provides these grantee partners with financial grant support and flexible leadership enrichment resources to support their sustainability and growth as sector leaders. This effort is jointly funded by Kresge’s Education Program and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Congratulations: • Afi Y. Wiggins, Ph.D., Managing Director, Charles A. Dana Center, The University of Texas at Austin • Alexandra Bernadotte, Founder & CEO, Beyond 12 • Amanda Said Canto, Chief of Staff & Acting Executive Director, The Michigan Hispanic Collaborative • Cheryl Watson-Harris, Ed.D, President & Executive Director, Achieve Atlanta • Diana Maldonado, CEO, it Maldonado Strategies • Donald Kamentz, Founder and CEO, Contigo Ed • Eddie Lincoln J.D., Eddie Lincoln, CEO, Rainier Scholars • Ekaterina Struett, CEO, College Advising Corps • Harry L. Williams, President and CEO, Thurgood Marshall College Fund • Jermaine Myrie, CEO, MENTOR • Kyle Westbrook, Ph.D., Executive Director, Education Systems Center at NIU • Lisette Nieves, President, Fund for the City of New York • Michael Lomax, President and CEO, UNCF (United Negro College Fund) • Robert Espinoza, CEO, National Skills Coalition • Sheila Sarem, Founder and CEO, BASTA • Soilo Felix, President and CEO, Be A Leader Foundation Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eq9KisBa

Earlier this month, Kresge hosted Our Urban Future: The Next Era of Making Change in America’s Cities, a summit in Detroit convening 350 changemakers from more than a dozen cities. We sought to address some of the most significant issues of our day: racial repair and healing, climate adaptation and mitigation, economic mobility and abundance. The discussions were deeply substantive and insightful. Beyond the content, being with a forward-thinking and imaginative group of changemakers was refreshing and meaningful. There is something magical about experiencing fellowship and shared purpose — together. At Kresge, we plan to process what we heard at the summit over an extended period. We're excited to incorporate participants' insights into our existing efforts. Stay tuned for further updates on lessons learned.  In the meantime, this video recap captures some of the action and insights. — Kresge American Cities Program Managing Director Chantel Rush Tebbe

Kresge Investment Office Managing Director Venus Phillips, CFA, CAIA, was named to Pensions & Investments’ (P&I) 2024 class of Influential Women in Institutional Investing. The list of 60 women, who collectively manage $59 trillion in investable capital, exemplifies the commitment to improving outcomes for beneficiaries and promoting greater representation across the industry, writes P&I President and Publisher Nikki Pirrello. Phillips leads investment recruiting efforts and champions Kresge’s ‘25% by ’25’ pledge to have 25% of the foundation’s U.S. assets invested with firms owned or managed by women and people of color by 2025. Congratulations!

Congratulations to Kresge's Sheryl Madden on joining the MICPA Board of Directors.

At this year's Detroit Homecoming, Rip Rapson spoke with Knight Foundation President & CEO Maribel Perez Wadsworth about the next decade of philanthropy in Detroit. He asks, "How does our civic culture approach its most difficult questions?" One way is through collaboration. Rapson touted the collaboration between philanthropies working in Detroit including, The Skillman Foundation, Knight Foundation, Ford Foundation, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and many others. "Collaboration is not an episodic thing. It has to be cultivated. It's like a muscle... It's been a long and slow process, but you keep working at it. It's never done, to be sure. The challenges and opportunities are constantly changing. But the opportunities to connect with the philanthropic community in Detroit are quite powerful." Watch now on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gXWcqsCS