Experiment in Co-Creation: The Black Justice Fund

Gabrielle Butler & Sue Ann Arnall

An African proverb states: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Co-creation is simply the practice of working together to create something that all collaborators value have a share in. Co-creation values having robust representation of all who partake of the results and in sharing decision-making power, risk, and celebration. While the practice of co-creation is a common sense approach to building sustained and positive impact in communities, it isn’t common practice in the typical approach to funding.

In 2020, the Black Justice Fund was a pioneering example of Co-creation. This catalytic fund, initiated by the Arnall Family Foundation,  modeled the practice of co-creation from design, to getting the word out, to reviewing applications, to awards and closed out with a celebratory gathering that included all the funding partners, Black community leaders, and awardees.

As consultant in development of the Black Justice Fund grant requirements, I was involved in a process that recognized historical inequalities and allowed the community to define itself. The Arnall Foundation was committed to centering the voices of Black-led nonprofits, service providers, and community leaders as the authority in how best to fund the immediate needs of their community. The impact of the Fund has transformed the sector, causing other funders to rethink inclusivity in their grantmaking. It serves a lasting example of the good that comes from giving space for underrepresented voices to lead.

-Gabrielle Butler

There were outstanding professionals from the community who were on the funding committee.  It was my thought that we should also have a representative from the different funding groups to sit on the committee.  My goal was for the individuals to become acquainted and develop mutual respect so that the funders would rely on these leaders to help direct more funding.

So far, it seems as if both goals were met – the infusion of money into desperately needed projects and additional funds being released into these areas.

Without the community leaders directing these funds, the funders would not have known the greatest need. 

Additionally, it appears that the original funders have since engaged even more in NE OKC and Black-led organizations.  It led us to amend our strategic plan so that we added a focus for under-resourced communities.  We have committed up to $5 million/year in this area.  We are just beginning to implement it, but we are going back to the people we met from our involvement in the BJF and asking for direction. These were the results that I was hoping would occur.

Something I learned during the project was to let go of control after we commit the funds.  If we choose the right recipients, then we need to let them determine their highest needs.  They know much more than we do what is needed and how to address the need.  I came away from the experience with a desire to do more. 

-Sue Ann Arnall

The Black Justice Fund was a catalytic effort that created space for Black community leaders and fund leaders to disburse funding together. Everyone shared equally in decision making power, no vote had more weight than any one else’s. There were opportunities for shared learning and understanding. There were awkward moments of having to work through the realities of proximity to community as the evaluation team worked through issues like conflicts of interest, where it was considered an asset to have knowledge and proximity rather than distance and disconnect. In releasing control, welcoming representative voices, listening, and working together, we can co-create transformation in our communities.