Interview with Deborah Clark about the Breakin’ It Down Conference

Interviewee: Deborah Clark, Director of Grants Management and Assistant Corporate Secretary, Woods Fund Chicago; Planning Committee Member, Breakin’ It Down Conference

Kelly: Congratulations on a successful Breakin’ It Down Conference that you co-organized in October. Tell us what the Breakin’ It Down Chicago Conference (BID) is all about and what inspired you to become involved. What is your current role with BID?

Deborah: Breakin' It Down is a conference that brings together philanthropic and seasoned and emerging professionals, who are in the nonprofit field as well as students and community for a day of learning, networking, and conversations about social impact. The goal is to advance racial equity in philanthropy, nonprofit, and fundraising. It is a great way for nonprofit experts, who serve underrepresented and underserved communities, and philanthropy to meet and engage in conversations. At this past conference on October 28, 2022, there was so much learning, networking, and relationship building happening. It was ideal. Everyone was excited about the plenary panel discussion titled “Redefining Leadership with Love, Wisdom, Courage and Gratitude.” It was very well-received. The speakers were Dr. Rami Nashashibi, Unmi Song, and Linda Xochitl Tortolero, and the moderator was Rhea Yap. The workshops were filled to capacity, with a couple in overflow into the hallway. It was a great day.

I was inspired to be a part of BID because I wanted to be a part of the good work they were and are doing for the field. I started working with the committee in 2006. The late Denise Stennis called the Woods Fund Chicago office and asked me if I wanted to be on the committee. I said no at first, but she was persistent, called me back, and convinced me to be on the committee. BID has been a professional development opportunity for me as well. When I first started with the committee I was quiet and mostly observed. However, at the end of the conference of my first year, I found it was so informative to my work at Woods Fund Chicago. There was a social hour after the conference. Philanthropic funders and attendees of the conference would socialize and engage in interesting conversations over appetizers and drinks. It was from those conversations I began to learn more about community organizing. I got firsthand accounts about the work organizers did on the ground, as opposed to just reading about the work in an application. That is when I realized how important this conference is and wanted to do all I could to make sure it is an annual event.

Kelly: Philanthropy has perpetuated racial and class disparities, harmful power dynamics, and barriers to resources, especially for BIPOC-founded and led organizations. How does BID address and mitigate this?

Deborah: Because BID partners with diverse affinity groups in philanthropy such as Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP), Blacks In Development (BID), Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy (CAAIP), and Latinos In Development (LID); as well as community leaders in the city, to plan and execute our conference programs. The workshop and panel discussions are targeted for a diverse audience, specifically individuals responsible for fundraising in small to mid-size organizations, to address and mitigate the issue. We believe this is the best way to help communities of color thrive and to continue to provide nonprofit professionals with opportunities to build acumen and strengthen networks integral to organizational success.

Kelly: How does BID proactively engage non-profits/community groups and funders to foster mutually beneficial relationships?

Deborah: Through the BID conference, the plenary, workshops, and speakers. It calls us all to action and challenges us to do more, to take on this important work wherever we are, and modify the systems we operate in to ensure America’s promises for us all. This is a quote from Tekla Sayers, who has been on the BID committee since the beginning.

Kelly: Besides Woods Fund Chicago, what other foundations or funders are involved?

Deborah: Most of the foundations in the Chicago area that accept unsolicited applications have participated in BID either by being a volunteer or participating in the Speed Networking with Funders of Color, such as Alphawood Foundation, Blowitz-Ridgeway Foundation, Chicago Community Trust, Chicago Foundation for Women, Crossroads Fund, Field Foundation, Fry Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, McCormick Tribune Foundation, PepsiCo, Polk Bros. Foundation, Steans Family Foundation, and Wieboldt Foundation.

Kelly: What do you think BID does well, and what would you and the team like to build on?

Deborah: BID provides wonderful professional development and learning opportunities. It incorporates concepts and strategies that enhance learning, such as plenary panel discussions, workshops, and speed networking with funders of color sessions that prioritize engagement and participation. It also provides templates, tools, and other takeaways from each session that can be implemented immediately at the attendees’ organizations. We are looking to build on the foundation we have built by bringing in younger people with fresh ideas and knowledge of what is needed in various communities. We recruited several brilliant young volunteers who have great ideas about what we can do in the future to keep us relevant with what the younger generation would like to get from the conference.

Kelly: BID started in 2003. How would you say it has evolved these almost 20 years? Any 20th anniversary plans in the works for next year? If so, pray tell! 😊

Deborah: Originally, the conference grew out of a desire to provide peer learning opportunities that were affordable and relatable to engage diverse nonprofit management and fundraising professionals in conversations about the present state and future of the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. Their goal was to educate other development professionals of color about the skills they needed to grow in their careers. The goal is still the same, but it has evolved and grew into working to advance racial equity in the field and providing diverse nonprofit professionals who serve diverse communities with opportunities to strengthen network circles that are important for organizational success.  

Plans for the 20th anniversary are being discussed, but nothing concrete, yet. Stay tuned. There will be more information to come! 

Kelly: In addition to attending and/or sponsoring BID’s annual conference, how can foundations and other non-profits partner with and/or support BID’s work or learn more about BID?

Deborah: BID welcomes volunteers to help with planning the conference. The conference has always been run by volunteers, so we invite you to volunteer with us to plan next year’s 2023 conference. Just send us an email that you are interested at hello@breakinitdownchicago.org. Also, continued participation from funders in the speed networking with funders of color session is important! To find out more about Breakin’ It Down you can go to our website at breakinitdownchicago.org.