When the Solidarity Collaborative launched in 2024, one of its primary objectives was to build authentic and ultimately action-oriented relationships centered on solidarity between and among social justice leaders, organizations, and philanthropy. Since then, the collaborative has welcomed its first cohort of nine racial and social justice leaders. The cohort had the opportunity to meet as a group twice at in-person gatherings that created space for real connection to flourish and for relationships to form that continue to deepen over time. Some of the rich dialogue that has occurred in these gatherings and around them is being captured in a series of cohort conversations.
Our first cohort conversation is between Jamie Beran, CEO of Bend the Arc, and Alia Bilal, Chief Executive Director at the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN). As leaders of Jewish and Muslim faith-based organizations respectively, Jamie and Alia shared their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities for building solidarity across communities, particularly in the current environment.
