Earlier this year, Deaconess Foundation engaged Makiyah Moody, senior manager with LaPiana Consulting, to assess how the Foundation builds, wields and shares power using the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy’s ‘Power Moves’ toolkit.Through a collaborative, investigative process involving surveys and interviews with our partners, community members and philanthropic colleagues, we received feedback and got a view of our work from the various...

By Kristian Blackmon and Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson For The St. Louis American In the wake of cascading public health emergencies – first the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, then the murder of George Floyd and the violent police response to mostly non-violent protests for Black Lives – communities across the country are reexamining their...

Deaconess Community, We pray and hope that you are well. Although the first six months of 2020 have been challenging, the last six months are filled with opportunity. A glimpse of the potential for the rest of this year was fulfilled on July 17th when a two and a half year campaign to close the city...

Join Us! Children’s Defense Fund Child Advocacy Institute Deaconess Community, Twenty-six years ago, Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president emerita of the Children’s Defense Fund, envisioned the Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry at Alex Haley Farm as a space for community providing spiritual sustenance to endure the journey of creating the just world our...