In 2019, Detroit was considered to be the least connected city in the United States. Natural Collisions guests discuss the connectivity challenges in Detroit, and how all sectors are joining forces to lessen the digital divide. GUESTS: Myka Burley, Program Manager on the Education & Employment team at Rocket Community Fund Autumn Evans, Deputy Director, Digital Inclusion & Equity at the City of Detroit

Natural Collisions guests discuss philanthropy and funding for Black-led organizations. The conversation spans the origins of Black philanthropy, its current state, and what the future of philanthropy looks like for Black-led organizations. Also, an honest talk about the disparities between Black-led and white-led organizations. Join the discussion... GUESTS: Karris Jackson, Chief Operating Officer at POISE Foundation Dwan Dandridge, CEO/Founder of Black Leaders Detroit Nikia Washington, Senior Director of Restorative Communications & Philanthropy at Earlyworks LLC

Is the shift to wellbeing permanent or a temporary trend for organizations? Wellbeing advocates discuss the shift to wellbeing from a global perspective. GUESTS: Mark Greer, Transforming Power Fund Alana Cookman, The Wellbeing Project Jessamyn Shams-Lau, philanthropy, equity, and wellbeing advocate

Co.act Detroit was founded on the idea that collaboration is key to creating a resilient nonprofit community in Southeast Michigan. Today, we talk with three people from disparate ends of the sector about partnering with each other and thinking differently about collaboration within their work. GUESTS: Tim Jones-Yelvington, Senior Consultant with Foresight Design Kimberly Faison, Director of Community and Economic Development at Detroit Future City Sonia Plata, Foundation Director with Flagstar Bank

Mental health days. 4-day work weeks. Meeting-free Fridays. If these seem like foreign concepts to you, you’re in the right place. This month, we speak to three social impact and nonprofit leaders about creating a culture of wellness at work. Through flexibility, trust, and compassion these organizations are showing us how to transition from surviving to thriving. Guests: Spring Opara, Project Director at CompassPoint Noah Urban, Senior Analyst and Project Lead at Data Driven Detroit Trina Groce, Human Resources Director at TechTown Detroit

Women have historically dominated the nonprofit and social impact sectors. Despite the many challenges COVID has posed for women in the workplace and at home, this month’s guests are transforming the way their fellow women in Southeast Michigan live, work and thrive. Through innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, and supporting each other, they represent the women who hold our society together. Happy Women’s History Month! GUESTS: Cheryl P. Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Coalition on Temporary Shelter (COTS) Terry Barclay, President and CEO of Inforum Amy Peterson, Co-founder and CEO of Rebel Nell

Co.act opened its doors to in-person programming and collaboration in June 2019. In March 2020, we paused and shut our building, out of caution and safety because of COVID-19. As we step into a new year and a new phase of work, we’re looking back on the impact we’ve had in the nonprofit ecosystem we’re proud to call home.

Despite the fact that Detroit is one of the Blackest cities in the US, many of the leaders in its nonprofit and foundation space are white. Can the work really be done adequately when it’s led by people who don't look like or share the same lived experience as the people they’re here to serve? This month on Natural Collisions, we explore Black leadership among Southeast Michigan’s nonprofits and foundations, reflecting on the past, grounding ourselves in the present, and dreaming for the future. Guests: Yodit Mesfin-Johnson is the President and CEO of Nonprofit Enterprise at Work (NEW). Nathaniel Wallace is the director of the Knight Foundation in Detroit.

What happens when people need support immediately? Madhavi Reddy of CDAD and Jerry Ann Hebron of Oakland Avenue Urban Farm discuss taking immediate action to serve the needs of communities during times of emergency. Also, Madhavi explains the necessity to streamline funding with Detroit Community Development Mini-Grants, of which Oakland Avenue Urban Farms and Independence Rides are grantees.

Intermediary organizations provide assistance to nonprofits doing vidal work on the ground in Detroit & SE Michigan. This conversation is between two intermediaries supporting nonprofits during the emergency of the pandemic. Kelley Kuhn - Vice President of Michigan Nonprofit Association - and Matthew Schmitt - Program Manager for Michigan Community Resources - discuss their roles and their work with Co.act Detroit's Activate Fund.