Please note: the new date for IMPACT is Wednesday, February 6, 2019 due to inclement weather on January 30.

The event was originally sold out, but some tickets are now available. Please register today to reserve your spot!

If you originally purchased tickets for January 20 and you are no longer able to join us on February 6, please email brandi.yee@actforalexandria.org. We encourage you to join us for part of the event if you cannot attend for the entire time. We are unable to offer a refund, but if you cannot attend the event, please let us know and we can issue a tax donation receipt for the registration amount. Our EIN is 26-4322269.

The IMPACT Forum convenes board, business, City, community, nonprofit and philanthropic leaders to discuss innovations in philanthropy and strategies for building the capacity of nonprofit organizations and individuals to make a lasting impact in the community. ACT believes that when the nonprofit sector is strong, our community thrives.

Keynote Speaker: Ben Hecht, President & CEO of Living Cities

Living Cities works with cross-sector leaders in cities to develop and scale new approaches geared at dramatically improving the economic well-being of low-income people. As President & CEO of Living Cities, Ben Hecht has seen how economic disparity can wreak havoc on lives and communities and how local leaders can take action to address the root causes of inquality themselves, rather than waiting for policy changes from above. Drawing on his decades of working directly with low-income neighborhoods, Hecht will share a series of case studies from throughout the country that focus on real problems and real solutions. From improving educational opportunities to strengthening civic engagement to investing in women and people of color to start businesses, Hecht show that we can create conditions where everyone can prosper, we just need to implement these proven strategies.

Short Talk: John Taylor Chapman

Breakout Sessions (select one):

Allyship - Building Bridges and Empathy to Ensure Equality, Opportunity and Inclusion for Everyone

Do you feel pressed to address the ovewhelming climate of injustic and divide, but don't know what to do? Attend this Allyship workshop, presented by Whitney Parnell, CEO of Service Never Sleeps, and get empowered to be part of the solution! This session will equip you with tools to be an active ally for social justice and marginalized communities, to actively influence and educate others, and to constantly work on yourself.

Creating Meaningful Community Partnerships

Gain insights from George Mason University's community-based, participatory, and action research in Alexandria and their partnership with Latino immigrants from Central America and African American families residing in public housing. Learn about transformational practices including critical consciousness raising, implicit bias raising, and reflexive practices necessary to build trusted partnerships across communities and cultures representing both privilege and disadvantage. The team will discuss strategies for building and sustaining Community Advisory Boards, empowering voice in decision-making, and addressing racial/class privilege. Presented by Samah Fadle, Dr. Bethany Letiecq, Marlene Marquez, and Amber Sansbury.

Operationalizing Racial Equity & Inclusion

Dr. JaNay Queen Nazaire and Ellen Ward will share lessons learned from Living Cities’ journey to put racial equity at the center of their work; including the internal work over the past five years to build the competencies of staff, organizational culture, practices and policies necessary for the organization to achieve its mission: to close the racial income and wealth gaps in US cities. While still very much on the journey, JaNay and Ellen will share reflections on progress, mistakes, and missteps along the way that could be helpful for other organizations that are starting or continuing on a similar journey.

Short Talk - Chief Michael Brown and Debra Colins, City of Alexandria

Interactive Luncheon, led by Heather Peeler, ACT for Alexandria

Group discounts are available for groups of four or more - use promo code "earlygroup". If you need financial assistance with registration or if you would like to contribute to a scholarship fund, please contact Brandi Yee at brandi.yee@actforalexandria.org or 703-739-7778.