What Matters: A Diverse and Engaged Community

After months of planning and lots of work, the Foundation's largest event took place on May 5. And what a special evening it was. We are deeply thankful to Cokie and Steve Roberts, to the sponsors, the hosts and over 500 leaders from the region who were part of the evening.

I don't think we could have hoped for more...

The themes we chose were Growth, Diversity and Innovation, which we believe are important issues that will determine how we grow as a region in the future. This also served as a benefit dinner for the Foundation's ever-growing community outreach programs.

3.2 million people are expected to call the Triangle home over the next few years- people who will be coming from all parts of the country and the world. 120 languages are already spoken in our public schools. We are becoming bigger, more diverse and the need for regional engagement and cooperation has never been more critical.

These are the issues we asked our audience, and ourselves, to think about.

Cokie and Steve Roberts helped us think broadly and brought a national perspective to issues like immigration, school diversity and civil dialogue. They were the stars of the night.

Now we are discussing out how to keep the momentum going.. More to come. Stay tuned.

Immigration, Arizona, What is the Role of Philanthropy?

This past Wednesday, we had the pleasure of helping to host a statewide convening for HIP, Hispanics in Philanthropy- and its NC Latino Collaborative. This effort has invested over $3.2 million in Latino-led nonprofits around the state over the past few years, supported by many philanthropic institutions, including Triangle Community Foundation.

The convening was kicked off with an address by a longtime friend, Frank Sharry, head of America's Voice and former Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum.

We are at such a critical time, that I find it necessary to include a portion of my remarks here on my blog:

"Little did we know when we planned this convening several months ago that this would be the time when we would see a state like Arizona turn its back on anyone with an accent, like me and some of you, and anyone who 'looks' Hispanic or 'illegal.'

Whatever that means.

But I could use my entire time talking about Arizona. So I will leave the policy talk to Frank.

I will say, however, that we are at a time in which we have a chance to look at our values as a state and a country and that sometimes drastic measures take place so that more people get involved. And this may be the case here.

And let's not kid ourselves. North Carolina is not immune to these national-attention grabbing measures. Many of us in this room know this too well.

-287(g) and the Sheriff activity

-In-State tuition battles

-Drivers' Licenses

-and so much more

We do have much to proud of...

But we also have major challenges.

Like it or not, we have to talk about immigration because our state is heavily affected by it. We have gained by its labor and we are now home to many immigrants. Immigration touches many in our community's lives. And our immigration system is a mess. And it is a hot, controversial, emotional issue.

And yet, there seems to only be a small group involved. We can't continue to work on these issues in isolation. We must:

- Have a broader coalition of sectors informed, engaged and active

-More understanding

-More funding

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I ask: What is the role of the nonprofit and philanthropic community when one community is targeted?

We must stop and see what is happening in Arizona.

There are no easy answers. But there are certainly courageous leaders and some institutions who have taken a stance. And it gives us a lot to think about as we get together tonight.

I believe we can each have a role in this debate, however big, however small, but a role nonetheless. And what is happening in Arizona can give us a chance to model something different here in North Carolina.

I also think we can have a reasoned conversation about this, but it must happen away from partisan politics, and among reasonable people. "

Thanks for reading.