Leadership Appreciation Brunch

Our recent Leadership Appreciation Brunch welcomed the Liberty Hill community to the beautiful Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica to hear about the pivotal role that frontline organizers and donor activists play in energizing progressive voters and shaping the future of a multiracial democracy.

The program kicked off with a warm welcome from longtime donor activist and Chair of Liberty Hill’s The Out Fund and Circle of Change giving circles, Wendy Chang. Guests were treated to insights from Liberty Hill’s Senior Vice President of Programs, Julio Marcial, and Senior Director of Environmental Justice, Angelo Logan. They shared about the foundation’s efforts to respond to current needs and continued support for frontline organizations working to protect frontline communities.

In a lively and engaging discussion led by Liberty Hill President & CEO Shane Murphy Goldsmith, participants had the chance to dive into the implications of the 2024 election alongside political experts Steve Phillips (Democracy in Color) and Dr. Manuel Pastor (USC Equity Research Institute). They shared insights on the challenging work that lies ahead, their thoughts on the future of the progressive movement, and how the Liberty Hill community can come together to create a path for progress.

“Behind each one of these crises is disconnection so we need to understand that the remedy to disconnection is community organizing.” – Dr. Manuel Pastor

“[Los Angeles] becomes even more important as a model, as an example, as a place to demonstrate and pilot and advance public policies that meet the needs of the millions of people who live in this county and who present an example to other places across the country around how to meet the needs of people within your country.” – Steve Phillips

In her closing remarks, Shane encouraged donor activists to get involved by:

• Learning more about local electoral and community organizing through Liberty Hill’s podcast, Conversations From The Frontlines.
• Contributing to the Gary Stewart Electoral Power Building Grants Program to support frontline efforts.
• Staying involved by joining us for upcoming donor activist events and webinars.
• Getting in touch with a Liberty Hill Philanthropy Advisor to sharpen your philanthropic strategy and plan your preemptive giving in support of the organizations that will be on the frontlines of this critical work!

Thanks to the ongoing support from our dedicated community, Liberty Hill will continue to help frontline organizations and activists who are working toward a more just and equitable L.A. for all.

Our team is ready to collaborate with you on the best strategy, simply email donorrelations@libertyhill.org to get started! If you don’t have a DAF at Liberty Hill yet, there’s no better time to get involved as a Philanthropist and fuel this work.