Rebecca Darwent
Founder and Philanthropic Advisor
Rebecca Darwent Inc.
Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Access Rebecca’s full bio here
Rebecca Darwent is a member of 21/64’s Certified Advisor Collective. Jumi Falusi Samen, Senior Director at 21/64, interviewed her during Black Philanthropy Month in August 2022.
As you think about the ways you are driving change, how are you making an impact in addition to your professional philanthropic advising work?
Rebecca: I am deeply committed to advancing social change and celebrating Black abundance and this manifests in many areas of my life. My family is at the core of this commitment and I spend a lot of time with them, particularly my young nephews. I believe strongly that we are driving change by inspiring their lives. We surround them with Black excellence highlighting Black culture, art, literature, history, sports, entrepreneurship and more. I am also part of my family book club that brings together our sisterhood to read, learn, and grow together – it is amazing!
Professionally, beyond advising, I am contributing to systemic change within our sector. In 2020, I co-founded the Foundation for Black Communities, a first of its kind grantmaking foundation and philanthropic home for Black Communities in Canada. I am the Canada Chair of Black Philanthropy Month. I am also Vice President of Laidlaw Foundation, a private family foundation that supports young people impacted by the justice, education, and child-welfare systems.
How does your identity relate to your roles you embody in philanthropy?
Rebecca: I am a multi-ethnic Black woman, second generation, daughter of immigrants, who is deeply committed and accountable to the communities I come from and advancing social justice. I learned about philanthropy from my mother and family in Guyana, spending many of my childhood summers in the country. My grandmother’s house was always open and I witnessed how philanthropy goes well beyond the financial aspects. My grandmother nourished people’s bodies, minds, and spirits. Her generosity was multifaceted. She, like many grandmothers, had a pot on the stove that always had enough food regardless of the number of people visiting. Her home was a hub for political organizing and campaigning, where she shared her professional expertise. She also provided spiritual guidance hosting regular prayer circles for healing. She taught me through parables and phrases like “the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing” which let me know that speaking about philanthropy is unnecessary. I was infused with this generosity and continue in the tradition of personal giving of resources, expertise, wellbeing, and spirit.
What is a facilitation tool or technique that has resonance for you and why?
Rebecca: Taking the time to pause and reflect on who we are and our history is a key part of the work that we do as philanthropic advisors. “What am I inheriting?” as a tool can be very powerful when working with Black donors. The reason this tool stands out for me is that it allows for nuance, as well as discovery. While there may be periods in family histories that are unknown due to enslavement, forced migration, and other trauma, it is helpful to identify those gaps. In addition, it provides for an opportunity to think about intergenerational lessons, values, and resilience that has been passed down from generation to generation as well. There is a lot to learn about where we are today by understanding our roots and where we come from.
As you reflect on the last year, what is the untold or overlooked story that you are celebrating about Black philanthropy?
Rebecca: The last two years have brought incredible stress to Black communities: pandemic, racial reckoning, inflation, economic uncertainty. Our communities experience these with compounded impact. The untold story that I am celebrating boldly is the renewed commitment to rest, therapy, and joy within our communities. I have seen, within my own family and beyond, a deepening of care for self and family. This has looked like taking time to pause and truly rest. I credit Black women for leading this movement: Tricia Hersey with the Nap Ministry, Nedra Glover Tawwab on Boundaries and Relationships, and Dr. Ebony and her My Therapy Cards. Black philanthropy, like all philanthropy, starts with a centered-self and I am really uplifting all efforts for this, including release, dance, and joy. We can all thank Beyonce for giving us the summer soundtrack for this celebration!
What predictions/themes to watch are you most energized to follow as you give personally and/or advise other Black donors?
Rebecca: Let’s talk about ownership, self-determination, and mentorship within Black financial education. I am seeing these themes bubble up across sectors with Black venture capital, entrepreneurship, sports, arts and culture, and technology. If we take platforms like Earn Your Leisure, Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings are going beyond talking about financial freedom through ownership and decision making. They are intentionally teaching, sharing, and inspiring through their content. This cultivation of others through modelling new ways of earning and giving is very powerful. I am looking forward to seeing the outcomes of this increased knowledge transfer over the coming years.