An Evening at Ford Foundation

“Transformation in the world happens when people are healed and start investing in other people” - Michael W. Smith

I was reminded of this at a Ford Foundation celebration in Manhattan of a decade-long study on the impact of their global International Fellowships Program (IFP) that supported 4,300 fellows from 22 countries completing graduate or postgraduate degree programs.

It’s that generous scholarship that also brought me to New York to study broadcast journalism more than twenty years ago at New York University.

Loved the passion with which education leaders like Mirka Martel from Institute Of International Education and Hilary Penington from Ford Foundation spoke with of the ripple effect of investing in individuals, how their personal & professional growth in turn transforms over a lifetime as they change, and the sheer collective interconnected impact of it all.

Another IFP Fellow, my friend Kanika Pandey sang a semi classical devotional piece about the formless divine, Nirgun, evoking unity consciousness - so apt and beautiful.

For me, that inspiring evening, reconnecting with the lovely folks who supported my fellowship like Vivek Mansukhani & talking to the young blood in the new version of the previous program, the Ford Global Fellowship Program, spearheaded by Adria Goodson served as a reminder of my original purpose too. Of continuing to use the power of storytelling through multiple formats for sharing untold tales, unheard voices, less-seen & understood perspectives, in ways that can help connect us all in deeper ways.

Sometimes, we all need some reminders and re-alignment. Grateful for mine.