Spark Talks

Life’s journey is not always a straight line, but it can be a bridge between a destructive life on the streets to one with purpose, empathy, and community impact. That… see more

In February 2019, GuideStar and Foundation Center merged to become Candid. Through research, collaboration and training, Candid gets people the information they need to do good. In this talk, you’ll… see more

Every aspect of your brand should reinforce your social mission. Join this Spark Talk by Megan Patel to learn how to design your brand so that all components work in… see more

Finding a job can be tough, and even harder when you’re also struggling with recovery, whether from addiction, incarceration, or simply loss of self – an unemployment dilemma that often… see more

No one can predict the future, though it is clear we are heading into a time of market volatility and political uncertainty. What is certain is that the need for… see more

A changemaker is someone who can transform suffering into hope through the power of unconditional love. We all suffer, but it is how we use our suffering that differentiates a… see more

Individuals and companies are engaged in and taking stands on social issues more than ever. But what if we could identify and address emerging social issues before they negatively impact… see more

Join this SparkTalk to explore the role narrative, society’s deeply held beliefs, plays in advancing equity. More about this Spark Talk: On Narrative and the Equity Gap see more

When I was young, I thought lawyers were white, old, worked in fancy offices, and did more harm than good to communities of color. But the truth is that lawyers… see more

Arts are a powerful tool for improving lives, bridging communities, and encouraging civic participation. Arts-involved Individuals show an 86% increase in civic involvement, are 40% more likely to have diverse… see more

Have you heard how Cooperative Capital kicked off a capital “revolution” in Detroit? You will during this Spark Talk, when Kwaku Osei, Founder & CEO, shares their story and lessons… see more

Data shows the effectiveness of incorporating the arts and creative arts therapies into person-centered health and wellness plans. And no longer confined to large cities, practitioners in creative arts therapies… see more

After four years of launching an equity movement based on listening deeply and paying attention to people, data, history, and social structures, a new place-based Foundation with $150 million in… see more

Organizers – the glue for social change – are often confronted by the challenges of thoughtfully considering diversity, equity, and inclusion in their daily work. How does implicit bias affect… see more

We pay lots of rhetorical homage to the importance and impact of relationships in our lives. But is our focus obscuring our ability to think about our relationships structurally and… see more

How we position our messages determines whether our ideas cut through or get swallowed up. It also can make the difference between progress and a backslide into greater injustice. But… see more

More than 4,900 people have been murdered in Chicago since 2012, excluding those shot or wounded. Unfortunately, trauma goes unaddressed and many community residents are uninformed about it. The result?… see more

Religion is a topic that’s normally banned from polite conversation. But it’s in the news constantly these days; three Muslim students murdered assassination style by their neighbor, a county clerk… see more

Presented by Chicago Cares see more

Birds guide the way to the landscapes and communities that National Audubon Society serves. And while their work historically focused on preserving large-scale ecosystems, polling shows that urban residences desire… see more

Each year trillions of dollars are spent on human services but often the way they are allocated prevent them from reaching their full potential. By creating well-defined outcomes that are… see more

One of the greatest deterrents to well-being is the chaos of the mind. But if you can take control of your breath, you truly can tame your mind. The Buddha… see more

Put your voice, body, and entire being into the work of reconnecting with the rhythmic, call-and-response griot traditions that celebrate liberation, justice, and freedom, particularly from institutional and systemic oppression.… see more

The youth e-cigarette use epidemic created an urgent need for resources to help young people quit vaping. Truth Initiative filled that need by developing a first-of-its-kind program called This is… see more

ELLAS is an initiative by women for women to gain confidence, feel supported, and foster personal growth while helping others. Since it started in 2012, ELLAS has achieved success in… see more