by Morgan Curtis, Social Justice Giving Coach

Sitting at the grave of my nine-greats-grandfather who “settled” Cupheag in Paugussett territory (Stratford, CT) in 1638, one year after a devastating massacre ended the Pequot War nearby. Photo by Kailea Frederick, spring 2017.

On Ancestors & Money

I have had a number of opportunities to sit at the graves of ancestors that came long before me — four, six, ten generations ago. All of them settlers buried in the land called the United States, perpetrators or beneficiaries of genocide, enslavement and imperialism. I visit with the questions of my responsibilities as their descendant, still benefitting from the systems they designed to privilege and protect me.

Amongst all the feelings at an ancestor’s graveside, I practice gratitude for their life that allowed mine to be, whisper my grief and grievances for their choices, and invite their partnership in the healing, justice and reparations work we all need. The work of wealth redistribution isn't about disowning our ancestors, but becoming closer to them by telling the truth of their times, committing to transform and transmute the trauma they caused, and not letting wealth inequality, racial violence and climate chaos be the final chapter of their legacy.

Are you reckoning with similar ancestral stories, and called to take concrete healing actions in response to them? I would love to be in conversation about if I may be able to support you — click through to learn more about Ancestors & Money: a 4 month coaching cohort starting March 28.

An invitation

I’m offering a 4 month coaching cohort for 12-15 people with inherited wealth who are interested in taking transformative, reparative action in response to ancestral harm. This offering will be shaped by three methodologies: money and giving coaching, anti-racist genealogy, and the Work That Reconnects.

What you’ll take away:

• A multi-year giving plan that arises from a clarified commitment to wealth redistribution, and your particular ancestral story

• A vision for your relationship with money, family, and social justice movements, and short, medium and long-term goals to get you there

• A family tree and/or collection of stories that clearly tells of your family’s role in perpetrating or benefiting from genocide, slavery and/or the racial wealth divide

• A strengthened relationship with your ancestors, moving from guilt, shame and hiding, towards truth-telling, collaboration and healing

• A community of peers that have shared experiences and a stake in your onwards journey

You can click through here to learn more and apply to join. I’m so excited about the group that is already beginning to form.

What I’m studying this month: non-extractive investing!

Curious how investing can build community wealth & a solidarity economy? Check out Seed Commons, a national network of locally-rooted, non-extractive loan funds that brings the power of big finance under community control. By taking guidance from the grassroots and sharing capital and resources to support local cooperative businesses, they are building the infrastructure necessary for a truly just, democratic and sustainable new economy. So cool!

Something to tune into: Philanthropy & the Case for Reparations

Join the Decolonizing Wealth Project for a two-part series to further discuss the growing work on reparations to heal, restore, repair, and rebuild communities. Learn more about how funders and leaders are moving forward a diverse range of approaches to move resources to respond to our political moment. First session is tomorrow morning!

Newsletter namesake poem by Mary Oliver