In 2021, PEAK unveiled a new strategic framework anchored by four core ideas that will guide our work in the years ahead. Among them is our core philosophy of emergent learning. What, then, could be more fitting to kick off a year focusing on our Learn, Share, Evolve Principle than an issue dedicated to the potential of adaptive, community-driven learning? This has always been the heart and soul of PEAK’s network that is so dedicated to revolutionizing the sector. If the future of grantmaking is adaptive, equitable, and truly effective, then emergent learning is the engine that will get us there. Together, we will harness all the ways we can disrupt this-is-the-way-we’ve-always-done-it thinking to forge the path forward.
When I look back on my own career, nearly every position I’ve taken has required me to create new processes and systems or to take a nascent idea to scale. It’s taught me not to wait for an invitation to become an architect of ideas, to applaud myself if nobody else is around, and to yell out, “I failed!” (with thanks to BIG: Baltimore Improv Group). Further, it’s taught me that just because I took the long road toward a solution does not mean that you have to. I consider it the greatest honor to help others shortcut their way to change.
As PEAK’s president and CEO, I must be our emergent-learner-in-chief. I seek out new information and new ways of approaching ideas not just when I realize I lack knowledge on a topic, but because one should never be finished growing professionally or personally. It was Albert Einstein who said, “When you cease to learn, you cease to grow. And when you cease to grow, you cease to improve, get better, move forward and just sort of begin to—exist.” When this community takes a look in my direction, I hope it sees someone who is continuously growing.
I also hope you’ve noticed that PEAK is growing as well! We have a new pep in our step thanks to the increasing diversity of experiences and competencies represented within our staff and on our board.
The PEAK team has begun the process of applying our Principles as an internal operating manual, patiently cocreating the kind of workplace culture that will sustain us as human beings and professionals. With the guidance of CommunityBuild Ventures, we are embarking on a learning journey to help us, individually and collectively, understand racial equity and build the competencies and skills to operationalize it. Together, we’ll learn and practice bravely, center racial equity, and heal through the process.
We have wholeheartedly adopted the Disability Inclusion Pledge, which requires us to first examine our current practices—especially in learning and convening spaces—and learn from others who are ahead of us. Most importantly, we’re practicing doing better once we know better, which we know requires humility and deep listening to get right.
And because we know that we’re in this work as a collective, we’re creating new models for building and supporting community across funders, other philanthropy-supporting organizations, and nonprofits by centering strategic partnerships.
We’re also centering equitable hiring practices, soliciting feedback from candidates, and iterating our approach to rightsize the time and intellectual investment we’re asking of each. What we hope is that applying to work at PEAK is the beginning of a relationship with an organization that sees you and your talent.
Finally, we’re on the verge of launching new programs, shifting how we learn together, and creating more open spaces for leadership. At PEAK2023 in Baltimore, we’ll be centering on you! We want to hear how PEAK has helped your career, your team, your practices, and your organization to live our Learn, Share, Evolve Principle. How are you innovating in the field? What makes a best practice in grantmaking? Where can philanthropy go if more funders practice collaborative, aligned funding? Consider this an open invitation to be there and be inspired!
This edition of the Journal amplifies PEAK members who tell the stories of their own emergent learning journeys with vulnerability and openness. Work and life can feel like a test where we’re not quite prepared and the stakes are high.
As emergent learners, we know that both success and failure can result when trying new things. We also know that time can show up as an enemy not only to learning, but also to advancing racial equity and equitable practices. That’s why we hope this Journal encourages you to press pause and take the time to learn, prepare, and be inspired to act.
As adrienne maree brown describes in her latest book, Holding Change, our work to advance equitable, effective grantmaking practices means attending “to coordination, to conflict, to being humans in authentic and functional relationship with each other—not as a constant ongoing state, but rather a magnificent, mysterious, ever-evolving dynamic in which we must involve ourselves, shape ourselves, and each other.”
We must see ourselves as a learning collective of funders, nonprofits, communities, volunteers, staff, thought leaders, and practitioners that is staring straight into the future and taking a giant leap forward together. For me, that’s emergent learning distilled to its essence.
Satonya Fair
President and CEO
Satonya’s Playbook
- Learning is title-agnostic.
- Use your knowledge for good (no knowledge hoarding, please).
- Celebrate every “I failed” moment.
- Don’t wait for an invitation to be the architect
of ideas. - See yourself as part of a learning collective.
