Facing Race: A National Conference in St. Louis, MO — November 20-22, 2024

Nancy A. Parker

Executive Director | Detroit Justice Center
Nancy Parker - Nancy A. Parker is the Executive Director of the Detroit Justice Center, an abolitionist organization working alongside communities to create economic opportunities, transform the legal system, and promote equitable and just cities. Nancy received her BA from the University of Michigan and earned her JD from Washington University in St. Louis. At the Detroit Justice Center, Nancy has the pleasure of managing a dynamic staff of lawyers and nonlawyers. She has directly represented returning citizens and other marginalized communities in traffic and family court, and provided legal support to grassroots organizations fighting for racial justice. Nancy served as co-counsel in a successful civil rights lawsuit against the City of Detroit; she is part of various coalitions; and regularly speaks to audiences about abolition, policing, and civil rights. Nancy’s work and life is focused on liberating Black people. Her passion is fueled by her two young daughters and her desire for them to be truly free in this country.

Presentations from Facing Race 2024

For the People and For Justice: Building Black Power in Detroit

In this moment, the rise of authoritarianism and increased attacks on democracy call for Black-led movements to have sustainable long-term strategies that include defensive tactics that protect Black communities, and offensive strategies that address the root causes of economic disparities. The urgency in confronting criminalization, gentrification and exploitation of Black communities often leads funders to focus on supporting short-term, “winnable” reformist campaigns, which limits grassroots organizing and community power building.

This session will offer a deep dive into the power of investing in transformative community-led organizations working at the intersection of racial and economic justice in Detroit, Michigan. In this session, you will hear from Black community organizers and their philanthropic partner on effective ways to fund community organizations to win, and how to prioritize the needs of Black movements while centering impacted voices in strategy and solutions.

Housing, employment, criminalization, land rights, and racial justice are just a few areas that make up this crucial intersectional work. This session will highlight recent successes in Detroit, home to the nation’s largest Black-majority city, as a case study for this discussion.

Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, Detroit Justice Center and Detroit Peoples Platform will discuss with attendees innovative ways to support and implement successful campaigns for economic security and stability in Black communities. This session is open to funders and organizations who support or want to engage in organizing, power building, and supporting strategic campaigns in Black communities.

Speakers: Breechaye Milburn, Nancy A. Parker, Theo Pride, Renard Monczunski