In May 2024, Openfields, in partnership with Capita, hosted Becoming an Inclusive Republic, an Aspen Institute Socrates Program seminar, moderated by the then executive director, Cordell Carter II. The purpose of the seminar was to explore the concept of belonging in the founding of the United States through discussion of key texts that shaped the formation of, and continue to shape, our country. Prior to the seminar, Cordell sat down with Openfields CEO, Grady Powell, to share his thoughts on the role institutional philanthropy can play in cultivating a culture of belonging today.
Cordell sees himself both as part of the system of institutional philanthropy and as one of its sharp critics. For example, he calls for an independent party to start rating philanthropy's actions against the sector's own stated goals of community empowerment and diversity. He also challenges philanthropic leaders to embrace more risk - tiers of risk - to cultivate innovative and diverse leaders and ultimately generate more community-led solutions.
He ends by describing his own sense of calling to move beyond philanthropy into what he calls a "civic ministry", a sort of secular pastoring of communities through convening and celebration toward community revival. His latest work is the Festival of the Diaspora, what he calls a "secular tent revival".