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The Independent
22 minutes ago
- The Independent
Darren Walker's new book is still hopeful despite growing inequality as he leaves Ford Foundation
Darren Walker needed to be convinced of his new book's relevance. The outgoing Ford Foundation president feared that 'The Idea of America," set to publish in September just before he leaves the nonprofit, risked feeling disjointed. In more than eight dozen selected texts dating back to 2013, he reflects on everything from his path as a Black, gay child from rural Texas into the halls of premiere American philanthropies to his solutions for reversing the deepening inequality of our 'new Gilded Age." 'To be clear, not everything I said and wrote over the last 12 years is worthy of publication," Walker said. A point of great regret, he said, is that he finds American democracy weaker now than when he started. Younger generations lack access to the same 'mobility escalator' that he rode from poverty. And he described President Donald Trump 's administration's first six months as 'disorienting' for a sector he successfully pushed to adopt more ambitious and just funding practices. Despite that bleak picture, Walker embraces the characterization of his upcoming collection as patriotic. 'My own journey in America leaves me no option but to be hopeful because I have lived in a country that believed in me,' he said. Walker recently discussed his tenure and the book's call for shared values with the Associated Press inside his Ford Foundation office — where an enlarged picture of a Black child taken by Malian portrait photographer Seydou Keïta still hangs, one of many underrepresented artists' works that populated the headquarters under his leadership. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Q: Upon becoming Ford Foundation's president, you suggested that 'our most important job is to work ourselves out of a job' — a 2013 statement you include in the book. How would you grade your efforts? A: The past 12 years have been both exhilarating and exhausting. Exhilarating because there's never been a more exciting time to be in philanthropy. And exhausting because the political, socioeconomic dynamics of the last 12 years are very worrisome for our future. Philanthropy can play a role in helping to strengthen our democracy. But philanthropy can't save America. I would probably give myself a B or a B-. I don't think where we are as a nation after 12 years is where any country would want to be that had its eye on the future and the strength of our democracy. Q: Is there anything you would do differently? A: In 2013 and those early speeches, I identified growing inequality as a challenge to the strength of our democracy. And a part of that manifestation of growing inequality was a growing sense of disaffection — from our politics, our institutions, our economy. For the first time, a decade or so ago, we had clear evidence that working class white households were increasingly downwardly mobile economically. And the implications for that are deep and profound for our politics and our democracy. We started a program on increasing our investments in rural America, acknowledging some of the challenges, for example, of the trends around the impacts of the opioid epidemic on those communities. I underestimated the depth and the collective sense of being left behind. Even though I think I was correct in diagnosing the problem, I think the strategy to respond was not focused enough on this population. Q: Many people credit you for using Ford Foundation's endowment to increase grantmaking during the pandemic. Is that sort of creativity needed now with the new strains faced by the philanthropic sector? A: One of the disappointments I have with philanthropy is that we don't take enough risk. We don't innovate given the potential to use our capital to provide solutions. I do think that, in the coming years, foundations are going to be challenged to step up and lean in in ways that we haven't since the pandemic. The 5% payout is treated as a ceiling by a lot of foundations and, in fact, it's a floor. During these times when there's so much accumulated wealth sitting in our endowments, the public rightly is asking questions about just how much of that we are using and towards what end. Q: Where do you derive this sense of 'radical hope' at the end of your book? A: As a poor kid in rural Texas, I was given the license to dream. In fact, I was encouraged to dream and to believe that it will be possible for me to overcome the circumstances into which I was born. I've lived on both sides of the line of inequality. And I feel incredibly fortunate. But I'm also sobered by the gap between the privileged and the poor and the working-class people in America. It has widened during my lifetime and that is something I worry a lot about. But I'm hopeful because I think about my ancestors who were Black, enslaved, poor. African Americans, Black people, Black Americans have been hopeful for 400 years and have been patriots in believing in the possibility that this country would realize its aspirations for equality and justice. That has been our North Star. Q: Heather Gerken, the dean of Yale's law school, was recently named as your successor. Why is it important to have a leader with a legal background and an expertise in democracy? A: She is the perfect leader for Ford because she understands that at the center of our work must be a belief in democracy and democratic institutions and processes. She is also a bridge builder. She is a coalition builder. She's bold and courageous. I'm just thrilled about her taking the helm of the Ford Foundation. It is a signal from the Ford Foundation Board of Trustees that we are going to double down on our investment and our commitment to strengthening, protecting and promoting democracy. Q: Youtold AP last year that, when you exited this building for the last time, you'd only be looking forward. What does 'forward' mean to you now? A: I have resolved that I don't want to be a president or a CEO. I don't need to be a president of CEO. I think leaders can become nostalgic and hold onto their own history. Now there's no doubt, I know, that my obituary is going to say, 'Darren Walker, the president of the Ford Foundation." That's the most important job I'll ever have. But hopefully I'll be able to add some more important work to that. ___ Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP's philanthropy coverage, visit
Scotsman
22 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Donald Trump makes Scotch whisky 'didn't know' comment as he meets Sir Keir Starmer at Turnberry
The US President said he was not aware 'whisky was a problem' Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Donald Trump said he will 'take a look' at whisky tariffs as he greeted Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at his Turnberry golf resort in Ayrshire. The US President told journalists he was not aware whisky tariffs, which are costing the industry £4 million a week, were a problem. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad First Minister John Swinney has pledged to raise the issue when he meets Mr Trump, arguing the 'uniqueness' of whisky made in Scotland justifies an exemption from the 10 per cent tariff applied on UK exports into the US. US President Donald Trump greets Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria at Trump Turnberry | Getty Images Speaking to journalists on the steps of his Turnberry resort, flanked by Sir Keir and his wife Victoria, Mr Trump said whisky tariffs would be discussed. 'We'll talk about that,' he said. 'I didn't know whisky was a problem. I'm not a big whisky drinker, but maybe I should be.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Asked if the 10 per cent tariff is a floor, he said: 'Well, we're going to take a look at it.' Mr Swinney previously told BBC Breakfast: 'Tariffs are very important for the Scottish economy and obviously scotch whisky is a unique product. 'It can only be produced in Scotland. It's not a product that can be produced in any other part of the world. So there's a uniqueness about that, which I think means there is a case for it to be taken out of the tariffs arrangement that is now in place. 'Obviously the trade deal with the United States provides a degree of stability for economic connections with the United States, but the application of tariffs is increasing the costs for the Scotch whisky industry. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'So one of my objectives will be to make the case to President Trump that Scotch whisky should be exempted from those tariffs. 'It's a product that is uniquely produced in Scotland, and it's a product that is much welcomed and supported within the United States. And I think there's a really good case for exempting Scotch whisky, and this is an opportunity that I have to put that case to President Trump on behalf of the Scotch whisky industry, which is a significant part of the Scottish economy. 'And the tariffs just now are costing the industry about £4 million each week, so it's a very significant burden on the industry. It would help growth and development within the Scottish economy if we could secure that deal. And, obviously, I'll be using every opportunity I have to try to put that across to President Trump.' Mr Trump's five-day visit to Scotland is largely a private one that has seen the president play golf at his course at Turnberry in Ayrshire ahead of opening a new course at his property in Aberdeenshire on Tuesday.
Daily Record
22 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Balmedie beach shut down for Donald Trump golf visit as part of massive security operation
President Donald Trump is expected to touch down in Aberdeen this evening. A full-scale security lockdown is in place at Balmedie Beach in preparation for Donald Trump's arrival on Monday as part of the final leg of his five-day trip to Scotland. The operation has seen police officers combing the dunes and shoreline around Trump's Menie Estate golf resort, just hours before he is expected to arrive in the Granite City this evening. Summer visitors were turned away from the beach and access to large parts of the beauty spot have been restricted as officers lined the area, keeping watch amid growing protest activity and anticipation of Trump's arrival. In unusual scenes at the often peaceful north-east coast, mounted officers were seen patrolling the beach while uniformed police stood along the dunes. The entire coastline adjacent to Trump's Aberdeenshire course has effectively been placed under lockdown. Protesters gathered near the Menie estate this morning, waving Palestinian flags and Scottish saltires, while others are expected to demonstrate in Aberdeen city centre later today. The clampdown comes as Trump met with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at 12.30pm today at Turnberry for talks on Gaza and trade. Following their meeting, the President is expected to fly from Turnberry at 3.45pm, before arriving in Aberdeen just before 6pm. He will spend his final night in Scotland at his luxury resort before unveiling a new course on Tuesday - named in honour of his late Scottish mother, Mary Anne MacLeod. The trip has seen Trump spend most of his time on the green, playing golf at both of his Scottish courses under a blanket of military-style protection. Police Scotland confirmed it has received support from forces across the UK as it deals with Trump's visit. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. First Minister John Swinney is also expected to meet with Trump during his stay. He has vowed to press Trump to exempt Scotch whisky from US trade tariffs. The US President is expected to depart Scotland on Tuesday evening, concluding one of the most heavily policed visits in recent Scottish history.
