What if we used wealth to heal, not harm? — Edgar Villanueva

On June 27, Edgar Villanueva, a North Carolina Lumbee Indian, will return to his home state to discuss his book Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance. New Generation of African American Philanthropists, a Charlotte-based giving circle, is partnering with Bank of America and YMCA of Greater Charlotte to host the civic engagement forum, titled JUST. COMMUNITY.  A Decolonizing Wealth Conversation with Edgar Villanueva.

The forum comes at a time when Charlotte—a city that emerged from Native American trading paths—has just marked its 250th anniversary and as our nation has begun to commemorate 400 years of documented Black life in America.

In Decolonizing Wealth, Villanueva weaves a provocative analysis of the dysfunctional racial and colonial dynamics at play in philanthropy and finance. Using his personal experiences as a Native American grantmaker and foundation executive, he offers a prescription for restoring balance and healing our divides using the guidance of indigenous wisdom. Among the questions he poses is: What if money was spent trying out concepts that challenge or shatter the structures and systems that have created inequity and disparity?

Originally from North Carolina, Villanueva is a nationally recognized expert on social justice philanthropy. Edgar currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of Native Americans in Philanthropy and is a Board Member of the Andrus Family Fund, a national foundation that works to improve outcomes for vulnerable youth. In addition to working in philanthropy for many years, he has consulted with numerous nonprofit organizations and national and global philanthropies on advancing racial equity inside of their institutions and through their investment strategies.

NGAAP Charlotte has organized JUST. COMMUNITY. as a part of its 13^th anniversary, observed during June (like past celebrations here and here). The forum will take place at One Bank of America and will feature in-depth discussion with Villanueva. Tickets are $35, and every guest will receive a copy of Decolonizing Wealth. 

It’s our 13th year, NGAAP Charlotte is extraordinarily fortunate to have forged multiracial, multi-ethnic and cross-sector partnerships with people and institutions through the Carolinas on this event. We are proud to partner with:

Lead Corporate Partner | BANK OF AMERICA

Lead Community Partner | YMCA OF GREATER CHARLOTTE

Community Partners From Across The Carolinas | African American Community Foundation • Arts and Science Council (ASC) • Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Charlotte Chapter • Conway Family Fund • Cypress Fund • Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture • Ms. Veronica Hemmingway • Ms. Dee Lee • Metrolina Native American Association • United Way of Central Carolinas • Women Engaged (W.E.) South Carolina

Please join us on June 27!