I’m writing to invite you to a special event — a Chronicle of Philanthropy conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Barbara Kingsolver that couldn’t be more timely.
Over the past year in The Commons, Chronicle of Philanthropy writers and editors have been exploring the country’s divisions — not just over politics, but also along lines of race, class, age, and more. Kingsolver has criss-crossed this terrain for decades in her novels, which often feature characters who, while very different from one another, are forced to interact and sometimes form deep bonds. A native of the Appalachian country of east Kentucky, she wrote her most recent book, Demon Copperhead, to dismantle stereotypes of the region that she says infect politics and contribute to a mutual loathing between urban and rural Americans.
On June 3, at 11:30 a.m. ET,Chronicle deputy opinion editor Nandita Raghuram will talk with Kingsolver about her writing, how fiction can bring the country together, and her nonprofit, Higher Ground, a recovery home for women suffering from addiction. The interview is part of our free Commons in Conversation series, which is streamed on LinkedIn. Register here. You can see all of the interviews from the series here.
As part of our work in The Commons, we’re spotlighting hopeful new efforts to bring Americans together and strengthen fractured communities. Here are a few examples from our recent coverage:
Giving Campaigns in Every Community? GivingTuesday’s Big New Idea
The organization behind the annual post-Thanksgiving giving spree wants to help nonprofits and foundations create fundraising drives nationwide to help groups raise cash — and earn trust. Read More
How Burnout Led to a Novel Way to Connect Black Women Across Generations
Amid a loneliness epidemic that affects Black women at high rates, can a network of “aunties” help? Read More
A 3-Part Playbook to Build Connection and Community
Funders working to build strong communities should know this: Research shows that people crave relationship, but they need opportunities to come together and work together. Read More
I invite you to visit The Commons for a look at all of our journalism — reporting, analysis, advice, essays, commentary, interviews, and more. And drop me a note at [email protected] to tell us what you think about The Commons and how we can better serve you.
Drew Lindsay Senior Editor, Chronicle of Philanthropy
