How prevalent are white nationalist groups in the Northwest? The racist fringe subculture that led the U.S. capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021 is part of a larger movement. Its “alt-right” coalition is shaping the public narrative on national policies, endangering community cohesion and limiting the rights of people of color, immigrants, refugees and other marginalized communities. White nationalism has changed the game, jeopardizing 50-plus years of equity gains and the vision of an inclusive democracy. Join us to explore the history and strategies of this movement, examine its impact on American public opinion and get some resources and tools for learning more. During this call, we will unpack the regionally specific threats and learn about the nonprofit organizations that are leading the charge to defeat these groups.

Speakers

Scot Nakagawa, Senior Partner, ChangeLab

Scot Nakagawa is senior partner in ChangeLab, a racial justice think tank, and co-founder and lead organizer of the 22nd Century Initiative, a joint project of ChangeLab and the Vaid Group that is building the field of resistance to autocracy in the U.S.

Scot is a high school dropout who grew up on a rural sugar plantation on Waialua, Hawai’i where his high school yearbook perennially ended with a letter from the plantation boss welcoming the graduating class to work in the field and factory. In the years since he left Waialua, Scot has traveled to all 50 states in the U.S. and internationally to educate advocates and leaders of the threat of ultranationalist authoritarian movements and ideologies, but his heart will always be with the makaainana (eyes of the land) of rural Hawai’i.

 

Lindsay Schubiner, Western States Center

Lindsay Schubiner directs Western States Center's Momentum program to counter the dangerous ascension of white nationalism across the country. Since joining the Center, she has led the development of a number of initiatives to strengthen democratic responses to organized bigotry, including a fellowship program to train new leaders, the promotion of municipal resolutions condemning white nationalist activity adopted to date by elected officials in four communities, rapid-response interventions, a research tool for journalists and community leaders on the anti-immigrant movement, and a robust schedule of professional and community trainings. Lindsay has provided commentary for PBS NewsHour, the New York Times, NPR and the Washington Post, among other outlets. She holds a master's degree from Harvard’s School of Public Health and previously worked for the Center for New Community and the U.S. House of Representatives.

 

Eligibility 

Participation in this meeting is open to philanthropic organizations that currently make grants. This includes corporate giving offices, private and public foundations, community foundations, government grantmakers and CDFI institutions with a philanthropic focus. You do not need to be a Philanthropy Northwest member to participate, but do need to represent an organizational philanthropic institution. Please do not join this call if you are a nonprofit organization. If you are unsure about your eligibility, please contact Nancy Sanabria.