Strategic Plan
August, 2008
On behalf of the Akonadi Foundation it is my pleasure to share with you the summary of our strategic plan. We hope that our plans will inspire others to put forth new ideas and questions about how to challenge structural racism and achieve racial justice.
This strategic plan reflects an intensive process we undertook in 2006-2007, including a series of listening sessions with practitioners, scholars, and foundation staff, a review of key writings on race and social justice, and an assessment of our own work. The initial phase of the process was led by planning consultant Karie Brown. A team of consultants from the Movement Strategy Center then guided us through a series of sessions specifically focused on racial justice movement building.
Through this process, we were able to sharpen our focus on structural racism and better define our institution's role in racial justice movement building. We also deepened our relationships with our allies and developed new connections with other people and organizations committed to racial justice.
In addition to the strategic planning process, the Akonadi Foundation has also made some changes in our staffing. In December 2007 I was honored to step into the role of Executive Director at the invitation of our former director and founder, Quinn Delaney. Quinn is now serving as the President of the Akonadi Foundation Board of Directors. In January, Melanie Cervantes stepped up to provide key program support as our Program Associate. Melanie brings a wealth of expertise in the area of organizing and cultural work – we are thrilled to have her bring that aspect of her community work to the foundation. Delena Scott also joined us as an Administrative Assistant after years of experience in the philanthropic sector.
Lastly, we have had the pleasure of bringing on Julie Quiroz-Martínez who is helping to shape our implementation of the strategic plan through her role as a Senior Program Consultant. Julie joins our team following her earlier work with us in the strategic planning process.
As we move forward with the strategic plan, we hope we find opportunities for many more conversations and partnerships with our friends and allies.
All our best,
Leticia Alcántar,
Executive Director
This strategic plan reflects an intensive process we undertook in 2006-2007, including a series of listening sessions with practitioners, scholars, and foundation staff, a review of key writings on race and social justice, and an assessment of our own work. The initial phase of the process was led by planning consultant Karie Brown. A team of consultants from the Movement Strategy Center then guided us through a series of sessions specifically focused on racial justice movement building.
Through this process, we were able to sharpen our focus on structural racism and better define our institution's role in racial justice movement building. We also deepened our relationships with our allies and developed new connections with other people and organizations committed to racial justice.
In addition to the strategic planning process, the Akonadi Foundation has also made some changes in our staffing. In December 2007 I was honored to step into the role of Executive Director at the invitation of our former director and founder, Quinn Delaney. Quinn is now serving as the President of the Akonadi Foundation Board of Directors. In January, Melanie Cervantes stepped up to provide key program support as our Program Associate. Melanie brings a wealth of expertise in the area of organizing and cultural work – we are thrilled to have her bring that aspect of her community work to the foundation. Delena Scott also joined us as an Administrative Assistant after years of experience in the philanthropic sector.
Lastly, we have had the pleasure of bringing on Julie Quiroz-Martínez who is helping to shape our implementation of the strategic plan through her role as a Senior Program Consultant. Julie joins our team following her earlier work with us in the strategic planning process.
As we move forward with the strategic plan, we hope we find opportunities for many more conversations and partnerships with our friends and allies.
All our best,
Leticia Alcántar,
Executive Director
“Power concedes nothing without demand. It never did and it never will.”
- Fredrick Douglass