Eric K. Ward: Hey Philanthropy, The Rainy Day Is Here!

In this episode of The PlayFull Podcast, host Kristine Michie welcomes back longtime friend and PlayFull alum Eric K. Ward for another powerful conversation in the Brave Voices series. Together, they explore how play, art, and creativity are indispensable tools for confronting authoritarianism and political division. Eric’s stories span from music festivals to historic liberation celebrations, and from philanthropic calls to action to inventive forms of protest. This conversation is both a rallying cry and a reminder that joy and connection are essential for sustaining the fight for democracy.

Key Takeaways:

• Authoritarianism seeks to erode our humanity and our ability to see it in others, making it essential to nurture connection, creativity, and joy as acts of resistance.
• Justice work is not a sprint, nor is it a marathon. It’s a relay race where we each take turns leading, pacing, practicing, and resting.
• Joy, play, and artistic expression are not luxuries but strategic and necessary tools for sustaining energy and morale in long-term social change efforts.
• Creative protests, from clowns confronting klansmen to stalled motorcades, can disarm fear and dismantle the perceived power of oppressive forces.
• Juneteenth, as well as other movement moments, doesn’t just commemorate a historic moment; it’s a beginning, and an active practice of living in the fullness of liberation and humanity.
• The urgency of current threats to democracy calls for philanthropic institutions to release their reserves now and move resources directly to communities at risk. The rainy day is here.
• Building coordinated, cross-sector philanthropic action is critical to resisting orchestrated attacks on civil society and protecting the foundation of democracy.

"Authoritarianism, whether through policy, whether through physical intimidation, whether through economy, whatever tools they pick up, the goal is to strip us of our humanity and to make us forget the humanity of one another." — Eric K. Ward

"Sometimes we forget that pranking … and art that makes us laugh can take away the power of the moment." — Eric K. Ward

"Juneteenth… wasn’t an endpoint. The celebration was about the starting point of practicing and embracing your right to be fully human." — Eric K. Ward

Episode References: 

White with Fear (2024) Documentary: https://www.whitewithfear.com/

Juneteenth Reminds Us That the Fight for Freedom Is Far From Over by Eric K. Ward: https://time.com/7295731/juneteenth-fight-for-freedom/

About Eric K. Ward: Eric K. Ward is the Executive Vice President of Race Forward and a Senior Fellow with the Southern Poverty Law Center. A recipient of the Civil Courage Prize, he has been active in philanthropy since the early 1990s, from McKenzie River Gathering to present board roles at Proteus Fund and NCRP. Eric is also a co-producer of the documentary “White With Fear” and a longtime strat