Why This Matters

This deep dive into the food security crisis exposes racial and income inequality in our region. Communities of color and low-income households bear the greatest burden, and entire neighborhoods—like Greenspoint—are on the brink.

Government policies often sound great in meetings but fail when real families try to use them. A healthcare policy might work perfectly on paper but be impossible to navigate if you're a single parent working two jobs. This research shows leaders how to design policies by starting with people's actual experiences, testing ideas small before rolling them out, and improving based on feedback from real users. When policies work for everyday people, democracy gets stronger.

Join a life-changing 10-week journey into Cognitively Based Compassion Training. Developed at Emory University and backed by decades of research, CBCT helps you strengthen attention, regulate emotions, and sustain compassion for yourself and everyone you meet.

What is CBCT?

Compassion U™ is a virtual way to learn CBCT (Cognitively Based Compassion Training), a program developed at Emory University in 2005 to cultivate compassion and emotional well-being in adults. CBCT is already transforming the fields of healthcare, mental health, education, and business.

Why This Matters

Democracy and social justice aren't competing priorities—they're deeply interconnected. The Forum recognizes that othering can't be countered through more othering, and that democracy rooted in belonging means engaging with those different from ourselves. In an era of rising authoritarianism and toxic fragmentation, building bridges while centering marginalized communities is essential for strengthening democratic systems that serve everyone.

Three Essential Steps

• Create more opportunities for connection - Space must be intentionally created, like a garden, for relationships to take root and grow

• Focus on shared goals - Americans prefer working together toward common community objectives rather than just discussing their differences

• Build on success - Research shows that the more people connect across differences, the more likely they are to want to continue doing so

The mission of The Chisholm Legacy Project is rooted in a Just Transition Framework. The project serves as a vehicle to connect Black communities on the frontlines of climate justice with resources to traverse the path from vision to strategy to action plan to implementation to transformation. In support of frontline leadership, the project seeks to link movements and mainstream entities with the tools necessary to advance systems change centered in equity and justice. With Black women on the frontlines of advancing systems change, this project ensures that these leaders have the support they need as they transform society from extractivism to a living economy that cares for sacred relationships between people and with Mother Earth, through regenerative, cooperative, democratic systems.

Frientimacy: The 3 Requirements of All Healthy Friendships” by Shasta Nelson
TEDx Talk | 16 min video
A powerful and funny talk by our very own Chief Friendship Officer that breaks down what makes friendships meaningful and how to strengthen the ones you have.

Our unique program gives food-insecure families an opportunity to access unaffordable, better-for-you alternatives that drastically curb sugar, salt and fat intake. In communities where generational chronic health conditions are the norm, the Better Box is helping thousands take positive steps toward a more nutritious and sustainable lifestyle. Behind the scenes, our Direct-to-Need model leverages over 2,000 Wellfare volunteers and aligns procurement, warehousing, fulfillment, distribution and customer experience under one umbrella, making the program incredibly efficient, transparent and cost-effective. The Better Box is a dynamic and impactful first step in our long term aim to create true food security across the United States.

In one of the fastest-growing regions in Texas, affordable housing is increasingly out of reach for many working families. Habitat MCTX provides a pathway to homeownership through a model rooted in dignity, equity, and community partnership. Their approach reduces generational poverty, creates stability for families, and builds stronger neighborhoods from the ground up.

Why It Matters

In an era of rapid automation and shifting skill demands, evidence-based solutions are critical to ensure inclusive economic opportunity.

Alignment

The Institute’s data-centric approach complements The Change Lab’s focus on community-led solutions and systems change.

Role in Ecosystem

Acting as a knowledge hub, BGI translates big data into actionable insights for nonprofits, governments, and industry leaders.

Why It Matters

As threats to voting rights, transparency, and accountability grow, Democracy Forward ensures that everyone’s voice is heard through the courts and the halls of power.

Art drives social change and builds resilience through creative expression.

The Climate Mental Health Network supports emotional well-being in the face of climate change by empowering communities with resources, conversations, and intergenerational healing tools.

Synopsis

This article explains how kids in some parts of the country have more chances to move up in life. It uses research from Harvard and shows how local traditions, history, and culture can affect success. Some areas support strong communities and good schools, while others may have fewer public services or opportunities.