2023 Community Meeting: A Conversation with Heather McGhee
Over 1200 community members gathered at the Benton Convention Center on May 8 for the Foundation’s 2023 Community Meeting.
We were excited to welcome New York Times bestselling author and renowned expert on the American economy, Heather McGhee. Her book, The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together, reveals how racism is holding us back—not just as individuals, but as a larger community.
In her book, McGhee embarks on a journey across America, where she explores what we lose when we buy into the idea that progress for some comes at the expense of others. She also identifies what she calls the Solidarity Dividend: gains that result when people come together across race to accomplish what we simply can’t do on our own.
Our May 8 program included Heather’s keynote, followed by conversation with past WSF Committee Member, Drew Hancock. The Foundation has been on a racial equity journey for some time and at the heart of this commitment is our belief that we can only prosper together. We’re thankful for those who joined us for this important conversation, and we hope you left inspired to help create a Winston-Salem where everyone can thrive.
View Community Meeting photos and watch the slideshow recap below:
RESOURCES FOR CONTINUED LEARNING
- Read Heather’s book, The Sum of Us, and check out her discussion guide (she also has a Young Reader’s Edition of the book)
- Listen to The Sum of Us Companion Podcast and learn how to take action locally
- Explore the Foundation’s Community Matters blog, lifting up voices for equitable change
- Watch a guided tour of our past exhibit, Undesign the Redline, which covers federal discriminatory redlining practices starting in the 1930’s
- Hear stories and explore local history through the interactive website, Rooted in Race, curated by Triad Cultural Arts
- Watch A Story of The Sum of Us to learn more about Heather's concept of the Solidarity Dividend
SUPPORT THIS WORK
- Donate to the Next Century Fund to support the Foundation’s community investments in Forsyth County.
- Contribute to the Black Philanthropy Initiative’s campaign to support local Black communities—now and forever.