top of page

All Posts


Momentum Summit Starts Here: The Conversation Just Got Bigger
Rashad Robinson Joins Momentum Summit 2026 Rashad Robinson and Tonya Allen: Building the Democracy We Deserve Activist and author, Rashad Robinson, one of our most influential civil rights strategists of the digital era, will be in conversation with Tonya Allen, president of the trailblazing McKnight Foundation, at Momentum Summit 2026 on Martha’s Vineyard. The two will discuss democracy, voting rights, and how to take the tools we have to forge the future we want. They’ll al
Pamela Johnson
3 min read


Momentum Starts Here: The Momentum Continues
Momentum Summit Welcomes Van Jones Headline speaker Van Jones takes the Momentum stage alongside Tonya Allen for a dynamic conversation examining the intersection of technology, philanthropy, and the future of democracy. All In For Democracy: A Conversation Between Van Jones and Tonya Allen For more than three decades, media commentator Van Jones has worked to create lasting change in a deeply divided country. He’ll be in conversation with McKnight Foundation President Tonya
Pamela Johnson
2 min read


The New Civil Rights Frontier: AI and Accountability
Black-led civil rights and advocacy organizations such as the NAACP view AI not simply as a technological shift, but as a civil rights issue with deep social consequences. For example, they point to the disproportionate impact of the data centers located in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. These concerns are rooted in history: from tools used to determine access to housing to credit-scoring models and other early waves of technology that shaped everyday de
Pamela Johnson
1 min read


Momentum Starts Here | Powered by Best Buy Edition
The Official Newsletter of Momentum Summit POWERING THE NEXT GENERATION In the coming years, technology will continue evolving in a series of unpredictable twists and turns. But here’s the headline: It’s not going anywhere. That’s why, for decades, Best Buy and the Best Buy Foundation® have been committed to equipping young people with the skills, experiences, and opportunities needed to thrive in the rapidly changing world of technology. That makes Best Buy a perfect presen
Pamela Johnson
2 min read


Defending the Right to Learn: A Conversation with Duchess Harris
“Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.” — Fannie Lou Hamer The federal holiday Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, bringing news of freedom to the last enslaved African Americans in the Confederacy. Today, communities celebrate with festivals, traditional foods, and support for Black-owned businesses. They also reflect on a broader truth: throughout American history, control over who can read, learn, and tell their story is of
Pamela Johnson
1 min read


5 Steps How to Turn Social Justice Summits into Collective Action (Easy Guide for Leaders)
In the current landscape of systemic volatility and urgent social imperatives, the convening of mission-driven leaders serves as a critical catalyst for societal transformation. However, the true measure of success for any social justice summit: such as those hosted annually at the iconic, Black-owned Strand Theatre on Martha’s Vineyard: is not found in the eloquence of the keynote addresses or the vibrancy of the networking sessions, but in the measurable collective action t
Meredith Moore
4 min read


Does a Social Justice Summit Really Matter in 2026? The Truth About Intentional Spaces
As the global community approaches the midpoint of the decade, the landscape of advocacy and philanthropy has undergone a profound transformation. In 2026, the question of whether a social justice summit remains a viable instrument for change is not merely academic: it is an urgent inquiry into the efficacy of our collective efforts. In an era often dominated by digital fatigue and fragmented attention, the necessity for intentional spaces has never been more critical. At The
Meredith Moore
4 min read


May @ Momentum Summit
The month of May marks the solemn sixth anniversary of the murder of George Floyd. The third annual Momentum Summit, August 11-13 & 18th, 2026, organized by Minnesota based Leverette Weekes, builds on a legacy of bringing Minnesota’s philanthropy and national community response lessons during moments of crisis — from the aftermath of Floyd’s murder in 2020 to the ICE raids of 2026- to Martha’s Vineyard. After gathering philanthropists, foundation leaders, and investors, in i
Pamela Johnson
1 min read
bottom of page