Archive:

Schmitz Reflects on 20 Years at Public Allies

Social-Change Activist to Step Down

The announcement of my departure from Public Allies.

The March Was More Than a Speech

On the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, it is important that social change agents heed the actual history of the event and the difference between organizing people to lead a cause together versus mobilizing people to support one.

Richard Murphy: A Powerful Example of Servant Leadership

Last month, New York City and our nation lost one of the greatest social entrepreneurs and mentors of the last few decades, Richard Murphy. His legacy should serve as an example of true servant leadership for all social entrepreneurs and leaders.

Reading Through the Presidents

A Presidents’ Day Essay on my journey reading the authoritative biographies of all of the Presidents in order, what I learned, and my recommended titles.

MLK’s Leadership Lessons for Us All

Dr. King was a transformational leader who inspired a movement and changed our nation. When we learn about a leader like Dr. King, it can be daunting. We might think it takes the immense abilities of Dr. King to make a difference. But when we dig a little deeper into two of the milestone moments of the Civil Rights movement,…

The Rewards of Diversity and Inclusion

Monte Allen has a form of Tourette’s Syndrome that includes vulgar outbursts that made it hard for people to see and engage his talent. Bob Littman and the Freestore Food Bank gave him a chance. This is a parable about the often unexpected rewards of diversity and inclusion.

Binders Full of Everyone

Diversity and inclusion are not just nice things to do, but they are essential if leaders and organizations want to succeed in meeting the needs of our evolving nation over the long-term. Nonprofits have an appalling record, and must be held more accountable.

Teaching Children Philanthropy

A few years ago, I decided to engage my children in my year-end giving and created a system that has worked well to educate them about issues, our community, social justice, and philanthropy.

Look to the Nonprofit Sector to Create Jobs

As both President Obama and Mitt Romney make the case for creating jobs, they are ignoring one of the fastest-growing job creators in our economy which already employs more than 14 million people: the nonprofit sector.