Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes

ASHÉ CULTURAL ARTS CENTER; EFFORTS OF GRACE | NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

NOT TO BE REDUNDANT, but the Catalyst Collective program has been truly catalytic; it achieves its mission. Being in a space with leaders of diverse experiences coming together as a collective anchored us together, allowing us to connect and bond despite being virtual and across the country. This program has made it a space where we could truly dream and problem-solve in different ways than in other spaces I’ve experienced.

In thinking of the future of nonprofit leadership, I’m cautiously excited. Having been a leader in this sector for so long, I’ve seen throughout the years excitement and disappointment over and over again, and things just haven’t changed quickly in the ways we’ve called for, for so long. However, I am excited by this current emphasis on social justice and equity, especially the use of data to instill and implement equity. I’m still hopeful and very confident in the leadership of BIPOC folks, especially in seeing us supported in our leadership, honored in our leadership, and being affirmed on our leadership methods, programming, and ability to make real systemic and noticeable changes in our communities.

In order to create true systemic change, I encourage philanthropy to be bold. If philanthropy could just spend 1% more of their money, there could be sweeping changes. I know that they want to be, but I also know they have to balance it against what’s been traditionally and historically done. All of the risks and rewards, and long-term considerations are what we always hear about. But I think that everybody has to recognize that we are at an inflection point. In our history as humanity, when boldness is needed in order to make the changes for the betterment of us all, to alleviate the unnecessary suffering that’s happening in the world at the degradation of our natural environment, it’s all going to take some really bold decisions and encompassing resources to do this. And philanthropy has a critical role to play.

Ashé Cultural Arts Center is a performance and gallery space promoting the culture of the African diaspora, like Silhouette Dance Ensemble.

Source: “BUILDing resilience in finances: Ashé Cultural Arts Center,” October 2021, Ford Foundation.

Still from “Chasms”, Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes. Writer and activist Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes lights up the stage with a powerful poem about hope, truth and the space between who we are and who we want to be.

Source: TED.co

ABOUT

Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes is a mother, daughter, educator, organizer, author, performance artist, and community servant. Ms. Ecclesiastes excitedly brings her deep roots in New Orleans’ indigenous culture to her work as the new Chief Executive Officer of Efforts of Grace, Inc. and Ashé Cultural Arts Center. Previously, she served in the Mayor’s Office and the New Orleans Business Alliance, where she designed equitable development strategies for high impact neighborhoods, empowering resident leaders to address entrenched disparities.