ABFE: A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities Announces 2023 James A. Joseph Lecture & Award Trailblazer
ABFE established the Trailblazer Award in 2014 to honor and recognize Black donors who selflessly contribute to important causes for Black people in our communities.
Sol Anderson, President and CEO of the Evanston Community Foundation
ABFE is proud to announce Sol Anderson, President and CEO of the Evanston Community Foundation (ECF), as the 2023 Trailblazer Award winner. This honor, which is part of the James A. Joseph Lecture and Awards annual event, was created to recognize Black donors who focus their resources on Black community causes.
Anderson has led ECF in supporting Evanston Reparations and helping develop the Reparations Stakeholders Authority of Evanston. The topic of reparations for Black people is an ongoing national conversation and under Anderson’s leadership, ECF is a leading voice in shaping what could be a vital framework that impacts millions of Black people.
“We are absolutely thrilled and deeply honored to be receiving the 2023 ABFE Trailblazer Award for our work in the field of reparations. The repair of the harm done to Black Americans is a deeply important issue, and we are proud to have contributed to the ongoing dialogue and action in this critical area,” says Anderson. “The work of reparations cannot be done without the contribution and effort of an entire community, so we are extremely grateful for the partnership and dedication of the Reparations Stakeholders Authority of Evanston and of Evanston’s faith leaders for their trust in ECF to support the work. Thank you to every donor, collaborator, and disrupter who have helped make this work possible; and thank you to ABFE for honoring ECF with the esteemed 2023 ABFE Trailblazer Award!”
Anderson has spent the past 15 years living and working in the Evanston community and his career highlights his dedication to deep healing and collective action. He previously served as the Executive Director of I Grow Chicago, a nonprofit dedicated to eradicating the roots of violence. Prior to that, he was the Chicago Executive Director of LIFT Incorporated, an organization that partners with parents to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty and build prosperity.
“Sol Anderson is a dynamic leader that understands community building, coalition development, and visionary leadership are critical tools to move possibilities for Black people and Black communities.” says ABFE President and CEO, Susan Taylor Batten. “The work Sol and the team are doing with the Evanston Reparations Community Fund to begin to repair the legacy of harm to the Black community is momentous and will serve as an example for Black communities across the country as we all work to build more vibrant, equitable and inclusive communities for generations.”
The 32nd Annual James A. Joseph Lecture and Awards will take place on April 14th in Raleigh, North Carolina during Harambee, the largest convening of Black philanthropic professionals. Virtual tickets–which provide access to the JJL Lecture and Awards ceremony, panels, workshops, and discussions–are still available. Reserve your ticket today!