PlayFull Alumni Network – Ongoing Series: The Day After the Day After

Feb 6

PlayFull Alumni Network – Ongoing Series: The Day After the Day After

Kristine Michie brings together a dynamic group of changemakers to explore the challenges and opportunities ahead for those working to protect democracy, equity, and justice. This episode dives into the evolving landscape of power, the importance of community, and how joy can be an act of resistance. Whether you are in the nonprofit world, government, or grassroots organizing, this episode offers inspiration, practical wisdom, and a reminder that solidarity is crucial, play is practical – and love wins every time.

Key Takeaways:

Resilience is both inherited and built—history provides lessons on how communities have thrived despite adversity, and those lessons can guide action today.
Protecting democracy is not just a national concern but a global one.
Civic engagement must extend beyond elections—real change happens in the sustained effort of organizing, supporting public servants, and holding institutions accountable.
Public service and independent journalism are under threat; supporting trusted servants and trusted sources of information is critical to counter misinformation and safeguard democracy.
Technology is reshaping power structures, with major players influencing global politics in ways that demand deeper scrutiny and proactive responses.
Social movements require both urgency and patience, balancing immediate actions with long-term strategies to create sustainable change.
Community networks are vital for navigating uncertainty, offering spaces for people to process, strategize, and maintain hope.

"People who have gifted us a legacy of resilience, resistance and clarity that we can draw on in this moment for whatever movements that we need to make… as Maya Angelou would say, and still we rise." — Merle McGee, Everyday Democracy

"The game has changed. It’s not a national game anymore… Think of this as an international game board, and they are cutting down boundaries and taking over opportunity sets with their own networks, influence, and money." — Clara Miller, NFF and Heron Foundation (ret’d)

"We really do need to engage people on a human level, first, regardless of politics…" — Salin Geevarghese, SGG Insights

About our Changemakers:

Eric Ward is a national expert on authoritarian movements and hate violence, Executive Director of Western States Center, and Senior Fellow at Race Forward and the SPLC. [LinkedIn]
Salin Geevarghese is President & CEO of SGG Insight, Senior Fellow at CSSP, and former HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary under President Obama. [LinkedIn]
Edward Bice is CEO of Meedan, a 2024 Skoll Awardee, designing social software for digital ecosystems. [LinkedIn]
Merle McGee is President & CEO of Everyday Democracy, with 25+ years fighting for justice across racial, gender, and economic lines. [LinkedIn]
Radhy Miranda is Program Officer at The Rockefeller Foundation, advancing economic mobility through cross-sector partnerships. [LinkedIn]
Bacilia Angel is founder of Includus Fund and Meliora Advisors, promoting Latino civic engagement and funding grassroots efforts. [LinkedIn]
Latanya Mapp is the President & CEO of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and a global leader in philanthropy. [LinkedIn]
Jess Yupanqui Feingold is a mission-driven executive, impact investor, and creative entrepreneur, serving as Co-CEO of Common Future to build a more equitable economy. [LinkedIn]
Julia Roig is the Founder & Chief Network Weaver at The Horizons Project, promoting peace, justice, and democracy through narrative and restorative practices. [LinkedIn]
Clara Miller is a leader in impact investing and finance, former CEO of Nonprofit Finance Fund, and President Emerita of the Heron Foundation. [LinkedIn]