This archive report was first published on 30 September 2019.
Published on September 30, 2019, Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation, shares his unique perspective on philanthropy and leadership.
Walker's experience as a 13-year-old busboy had a profound impact on his approach to philanthropy. He recalls being invisible and undervalued, which informed his work at the Ford Foundation.
With growing inequality and a sense of hopelessness in American society, Walker emphasizes the need for urgency in philanthropy. He believes that philanthropy should be a force for hope and justice, and that investing in social mobility and economic mobility can help create a more equitable society.
Walker suggests that reasonable changes to the economic system, such as addressing income inequality and promoting social mobility, could help reduce inequality. He also notes that Canada has a higher level of social mobility and economic mobility than the United States, making it a more attractive destination for those seeking the American dream.
