The first day of Black History Month seems like an excellent occasion to share how Marcus Walton, the new President & CEO of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, inspired a roomful of Los Angeles philanthropy sector folks this week. Myself included.

“We need to be transformative in our transactions — but to what end? Thriving communities.” Yes! Because by its nature, historically, grantmaking has been about transactions: I ask for money for this particular thing, you give it to me, I report back. But that model isn’t getting us the transformation we both hope to see.

And why is that? “If our analysis is off, our work will be off.” Again, historically, our field’s diagnosis of problems and solutions has been done oh-so-rationally, oh-so-objectively, by white people who did not include past and current racial injustice in their analyses. (Again, very much myself included.)

But that’s not the only problem. “We can’t manage our way into transformation.” Effectiveness — literally GEO’s middle name — “is connected to leadership, to vision… Let’s look at what’s possible and stop focusing on what’s practical.” Practical isn’t getting us where we need to go. Playing small isn’t anywhere close to matching up with what communities need to thrive; and not just communities of color, either. As Marcus emphasized, we need to connect our grantmaking practice to a clear analysis that includes but is not limited to seeing how racialized decisions have contributed to the different challenges faced by different people, in as nuanced a way as possible.

“You know the saying. Without vision…” And half the room answered back in unison: “The people perish.” This time, myself not included; my Bible knowledge ain’t much, I must admit. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: I have so much to learn.

Even before Marcus, GEO was part of the equity wave that’s been sweeping the grantmaking sector. Now, he’s come to lead GEO forward from his previous role as Director of Racial Equity Initiatives at Borealis Philanthropy. And while he has not come to play, I had one clear feeling burning in my chest at the end of his remarks: This is the team I’m on.

Heart shining brave. Grateful for leaders like Marcus, today and all month and forever.