Press Release | May 18, 2020

National Equity Leader Offers Social Impact Model to Nonprofits & Funders at Jefferson Forum

 Jefferson Regional Foundation will be virtually hosting nationally acclaimed thought leader, Trabian Shorters, to provide the Jefferson Forum: Embracing Transformation Keynote Presentation, Asset Framing for Equity, on Thursday, May 20, 2021.  Co-sponsored by Grantmakers of Western PA, over 250 forward-thinking leaders from the nonprofit and foundation communities attending the Keynote will discover a sustainable model to increase engagement, support, and impact for their enterprises across races, genders, and economic classes. This virtual event is open to community and foundation leaders, but registration is required by noon on May 19^th at: www.jeffersonrf.org/Forum.

 Trabian Shorters is a dynamic speaker, New York Times Bestselling author, social entrepreneur, and the leading authority on an award-winning approach to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion called “Asset-Framing.” His experience in the tech, nonprofit and foundation fields inspired him to apply new insights in cognition, decision-making and the use of narrative to create an equitable model of social impact and an award-winning organization called BMe Community. Asset-framing works to define people by their assets and aspirations before noting their challenges and deficits and then investing in them for their continued benefit to society.

Evan Frazier, the CEO of TALI Institute and former Senior Vice-President at Highmark Health was selected as one of the first national BMe Fellows and is inspired by Shorters.  “Trabian Shorters has taken the concept of equity—and created a practical and positive approach in Asset-Framing that truly helps leaders and organizations advance.  He is a dynamic educator and mentor who offers more than ideas—a way forward with examples, exercises and stories that are compelling.

The Jefferson Forum Keynote Presentation is part of a month-long Forum series of virtual events and workshops focused on the theme of Embracing Transformation and designed to inspire, educate, and build collaboration among community-based organizations serving the South Hills and Mon Valley area.

Six Transformational Workshops include two dozen dynamic and diverse local leaders and organizations with a focus on key areas of change including:  people practices, advocacy and policy, transformational leadership, community health access, and data as a tool for change. This is the 7^th annual Jefferson Forum and the second that is offered virtually. Most sessions, with the exception of the keynote, are being recorded and will be available on the Foundation’s website at www.jeffersonrf.org/Forum.

Trabian Shorter’s organization, BMe Community, is an award-winning network of innovators, leaders, and champions who invest in aspiring communities. Along with training leading organizations in Asset-Framing, BMe runs the BMe Vanguard Fellowship, and is the leader of the “Next Narrative for Black America.” Learn more about BMe at www.bmecommunity.org.

Jefferson Regional Foundation is a health grantmaker focused on improving the social determinants of health in the South Hills and Mon Valley areas of Allegheny County where it has distributed over $15 million in grants since 2014.  The Foundation also invests in convening and information-sharing, including hosting an active Collaborative network of over 100 organizations, an annual Jefferson Forum conference, and community engagement initiatives such as community-wide conversations, census outreach, a resource directory and mental health first aid training.  For more information about the Jefferson Forum, grants, community engagement or resources visit our website at www.jeffersonrf.org

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