What does it mean to lead a movement when the movement itself is under pressure? In this episode of "Gathering Ground," Mary sits down with Darlene Nipper, CEO of Rockwood Leadership Institute, and Russell Roybal, Board Chair of Rockwood and Executive Vice President at the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, to mark Rockwood’s 25th anniversary and explore what it truly means to lead from the inside out. Episode Highlights - Darlene Nipper on Rockwood’s evolution — from environmental training to a cross-movement leadership powerhouse that centers leaders of color and LGBTQ+ communities - Russell Roybal on the “elevator exercise” — a pivotal Rockwood experience that helped him trace workplace triggers back to childhood, and why personal leadership is inseparable from organizational leadership - Leading with joy: How Rockwood’s approach breaks leaders down and builds them back up, centered in what truly matters to them - How Rockwood is responding to the current political moment - with new grassroots programs, community crisis response, and unwavering investment in leader renewal If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Gathering Ground and leave us a review! Follow Morten Group, LLC on Instagram @mortengroup for more updates.

In this episode of "Gathering Ground," Mary speaks with Sharon Bush, President of Grand Victoria Foundation, and Sol Anderson, President and CEO of Evanston Community Foundation, about how philanthropy can move closer to the communities it seeks to serve. Drawing from their distinct place-based work across Illinois and in Evanston, they discuss trust-based grantmaking, community-led decision making, and the responsibilities funders hold in advancing racial justice. Sharon and Sol reflect on how foundations can support grassroots leadership, sustain commitments to equity in a shifting political climate, and rethink traditional funding models. Their conversation highlights the importance of proximity, trust, and collaboration in building philanthropic practices that strengthen communities and support lasting change. Episode Highlights: - Sharon Bush on pioneering trust-based philanthropy and sustaining racial justice commitments across Illinois - Sol Anderson on community-led grantmaking and the importance of proximity to power - A look inside two foundations rethinking how resources flow to grassroots leaders - Why rest, renewal, and imagination matter for movement leaders and funders alike

This episode of "Gathering Ground" brings together two sector-shifting leaders: Bina Patel, CEO of Saathi Impact Consulting, and Vu Le, writer of the blog Nonprofit AF. With honesty and clarity, they join Mary to examine how the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors perpetuate inequality, reward compliance, and resist transformation. Together, they explore how movements are being co-opted, how "toxic intellectualizing" replaces real action, and why we must stop maintaining systems we claim to be dismantling. Episode Highlights:- Bina Patel on strategic compliance and the quiet parts that keep systems unjust- Vu Le on the myth of philanthropy and why nonprofits must get political- A call to stop obeying tyranny in advance and begin organizing for collective liberation Links and Resources:- Saathi Impact Consulting – https://saathiimpact.com- Nonprofit AF Blog – https://nonprofitaf.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Gathering Ground and leave us a review! Follow Morten Group, LLC on Instagram @mortengroup for more updates.

In this episode of "Gathering Ground," Mary sits down with three powerhouse advocates — Dr. Latonya Penny, Cathy Renna, and Illinois State Rep. Kelly Cassidy — for a timely conversation about what LGBTQ+ rights look like across the U.S. From legislative battles to grassroots resistance, the episode traces the highs, the heartbreaks, and the hope fueling this moment. Guests reflect on the real-life impact of policy wins and setbacks, the resilience of LGBTQ+ communities in the South, and the growing need for coalitions that center intersectionality, joy, and long-term strategy. Episode Highlights:- Dr. Penny on how Southern LGBTQ+ leaders are resisting burnout and building power despite political pressure- Illinois State Representative Cassidy on expanding coalitions beyond shared identity or ideology, and why it works- Cathy Renna on executive orders, misinformation, and why local education and media matter more than ever Links and Resources- Laughing Gull Foundation – www.laughinggull.org- National LGBTQ Task Force – www.thetaskforce.org- Rep. Kelly Cassidy – www.repcassidy.com If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Gathering Ground and leave us a review! Follow Morten Group, LLC on Instagram @mortengroup for more updates.

In this episode of "Gathering Ground," host Mary Morten sits down with four brilliant artists and activists to explore the intersection of art and social change. Amanda Williams, Tonika Lewis Johnson, Lisa Yun Lee, and Shannon Downey share how their personal histories, creative practices, and collaborations fuel powerful movements for justice, community, and joy. Together, they reflect on how art can illuminate systemic inequities, bring people together across differences, and create the conditions for new futures. Episode Highlights: • Amanda Williams and Tonika Lewis Johnson on their collaborative projects and the politics of place • Shannon Downey on craft as community organizing and creative resistance • Lisa Yun Lee on the National Public Housing Museum as a civic anchor Links and Resources: Tonika Johnson – https://www.tonijphotography.comNational Public Housing Museum – https://www.nphm.orgAmanda Williams – https://awstudioart.com/home.htmlShannon Downey – https://www.badasscrossstitch.com If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to "Gathering Ground" and leave us a review! Follow Morten Group, LLC on Instagram @mortengroup for more updates.

This special "Gathering Ground" episode looks back at the most powerful conversations from 2025. Join Producer Vince Pagán-Hill as he revisits memorable moments that reveal how people create meaning, challenge injustice, and build collective power, from journalism and philanthropy to the arts, climate justice, and healthcare.

Summary In this episode of "Gathering Ground," host Mary Morten sits down with three dynamic guests (Anna DeShawn, Victor Salvo, and Haven Crawley) for a powerful conversation about queer joy, representation, and the enduring fight for LGBTQ+ equity. From grassroots media to public art, the stories shared in this episode remind us that history, creativity, and visibility are all tools for liberation. Episode Highlights - Anna DeShawn on building a Black queer media ecosystem through E3 Radio and Queer News - Victor Salvo on the creation of the Legacy Walk and why public memory matters - Haven Crawley on performing queer narratives and making space for youth expression Links and Resources - E3 Radio: https://e3radio.fm/ - Queer News Podcast: https://e3radio.fm/queer-news/ - Legacy Walk: https://legacyprojectchicago.org/legacy-walk If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Gathering Ground and leave us a review! Follow Morten Group, LLC on Instagram @mortengroup for more updates.

In this episode of "Gathering Ground," Mary leads a powerful conversation marking the 50th anniversary of Howard Brown Health, one of the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ health organizations. With guests Staci Bush, Ron Nunziato, Jessica Halem, and current CEO Dr. Travis Gayles, the discussion traces Howard Brown’s past, present, and future. Together, they reflect on the organization’s early days, the HIV/AIDS crisis, the fight for culturally competent care, and the political realities shaping LGBTQ+ health today. From personal stories to policy, this episode uplifts a community-centered legacy and the urgent work ahead. Episode Highlights - Dr. Travis Gayles on leading Howard Brown through a shifting political and public health landscape - Ron Nunziato on the organization’s early days and its transformation during the AIDS crisis - Jessica Halem and Staci Bush on culturally competent care and the legacy of the Lesbian Community Cancer Project Links and Resources - Howard Brown Health: https://howardbrown.org/ - Liberating Healthcare: https://donate.howardbrown.org/campaign/678582/donate If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Gathering Ground and leave us a review! Follow Morten Group, LLC on Instagram @mortengroup for more updates.

This episode of "Gathering Ground" brings together four visionary media leaders—Jhmira Alexander, Silvia Rivera, Susy Schultz, and Tracy Baim—for a candid conversation about the state and future of journalism. They explore the collapse of legacy news models, the spread of misinformation, and why community-centered, equity-driven journalism is not just a goal, but a necessity. Episode Highlights - Jhmira Alexander on building trust and centering community through storytelling at Public Narrative - Silvia Rivera on reimagining local news infrastructure at the MacArthur Foundation - Susy Schultz on creating investigative tools to dismantle systemic racism in media - Tracy Baim on the LGBTQ+ press, legacy media preservation, and Press Forward Chicago Links and Resources - Public Narrative: www.publicnarrative.org - Press Forward Chicago: www.cct.org/pressforward - MacArthur Foundation: www.macfound.org - Investigative Project on Race and Equity: www.raceandequityproject.org If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Gathering Ground and leave us a review! Follow Morten Group, LLC on Instagram @mortengroup for more updates.

Summary In this episode of "Gathering Ground," host Mary Morten welcomes Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, and Joel Brammeier, CEO of the Alliance for the Great Lakes, for a powerful conversation on environmental justice, water equity, and community voice in the Great Lakes region. They discuss the legacy of environmental racism, the role of policy and federal investment, and how community-centered solutions, from permeable playgrounds to local volunteer programs, are building climate resilience. **Episode Highlights** - Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis shares her path from LGBTQ+ advocacy to water leadership and her vision for community-centered infrastructure. -Joel Brammeier reflects on civic engagement, clean water access, and the regional work of the Alliance for the Great Lakes. -Both guests speak to the intersection of climate change, racial justice, and the power of community-driven solutions. **Links and Resources** - Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis: www.mwrd.org/commissioner-precious-brady-davis - Alliance for the Great Lakes: www.greatlakes.org - MWRD Rain Barrel Program: www.mwrd.org/rain-barrels - Learn more about your water: www.greatlakes.org/get-involved If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Gathering Ground and leave us a review! Follow Morten Group, LLC on Instagram @mortengroup for more updates.