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Public Equity Group launched Viva DEI, a resource hub for social sector organizations navigating the current diversity, equity, and inclusion landscape. The site curates and distills the best legal, policy and communications resources, to help organizations understand what's still lawful and how to keep the work going.
Explore the resources at: vivadei.org
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Learning to disagree well is a civic act, argue Peter Levine and Dayna L. Cunningham in Stanford Social Innovation Review. Drawing on examples from the Civil Rights Movement, Tufts University, and Costco, they show how organizations that create conditions for constructive dissent help sustain democratic habits and how clear commitments embedded in durable practices allow institutions to absorb external pressure without abandoning core values.
Peter Levine is Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Lincoln Filene Professor of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Tufts University's Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life, and a leading figure in civic studies. Dayna L. Cunningham is the Pierre and Pamela Omidyar Dean of Tufts University's Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life, a civil rights lawyer by training who previously led MIT's Community Innovators Lab.
Read the article here.
Public Equity Group principal John Newsome shares insights on the Equity Learning Lab (a three-year initiative to help grantees of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation learn about and make progress on racial equity), and the work of transforming health systems in this featured conversation on The Intersection.
Listen here.
Over 500,000 U.S. properties are "heirs' property"—land passed down informally without legal paperwork, leaving every descendant with equal ownership stakes. This creates vulnerabilities: predatory developers exploit fractional ownership through partition lawsuits, families struggle to access loans or FEMA benefits, and unanimous agreement is required for any decisions. Black farmers lost 90% of their land in the 20th century due to these issues.
The issue connects to health equity, disaster relief, and wealth building, yet the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is the only major national funder currently addressing this problem, investing $3.4 million since 2023.
Read the full article here.
The Center for Puerto Rican Studies (CENTRO) at Hunter College has launched the Diasporican Educational Program, a free self-guided course introducing the history and experiences of the Puerto Rican diaspora. The program offers videos, archival materials, and learning resources for educators, students, and the public.
Learn more at diasporicaned.org
A commentary by Lt. Diane Goldstein, executive director of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership, in The Well News highlights Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine’s proposed legislation requiring federal officers to display visible identification during public operations.
The bill aims to curb enforcement practices that erode trust, while also protecting officers through measures like internet-scrubbing of personal data. Supporters frame the proposal as a way to strengthen accountability and rebuild public confidence in law enforcement.
Read the full commentary here.
Alesha Washington steps into her role leading the Seattle Foundation with a focus on equity, joyful leadership, and community-rooted solutions. Her approach reflects deep experience in civic advocacy and a commitment to investing in those closest to the work.
For more on Washington’s approach, see her profile in Seattle Magazine.
Sherilyn Adams (CEO, Larkin Street Youth Services) has joined the 2025 Cohort of Impact 100: a 10-year vision and $15 million commitment to support one hundred of the world’s most visionary non-profit CEOs and Executive Directors.
Learn more about the program and discover each leader here: triumgroup.com/impact-100
The Front of Civil Society Organizations of Puerto Rico issued a public statement against President Trump's Immigration Policies and to demand protection measures for the migrant community.
Declaración pública del Frente de Organizaciones de la Sociedad Civil de Puerto Rico en Contra de las Políticas Migratorias del Presidente Trump y para exigir medidas de protección para la comunidad migrante
Read more about the declaration (in Spanish) here.
Carolyn Geason-Beissel/MIT SMR | Getty Images
Board governance can often be derailed by behaviors that undermine effective decision-making. In “How to Sabotage Your Board,” Jon Huggett and Dariusz Jemielniak identify 14 common actions—ranging from withholding critical information to creating factions—that can significantly hinder a board’s ability to function effectively.
The article emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing these behaviors to foster a culture of trust and collaboration. By proactively managing potential disruptions, organizations can ensure that their boards remain focused on their mission and deliver meaningful impact.
Learn more about how to identify and address these challenges in board governance here.