Wikipedia

Edgar Villanueva

Edgar Villanueva is an American author and activist, and the founder and CEO of the Decolonizing Wealth Project and Liberated Capital.[2] He published Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance in 2018.[3][4] Villanueva is known for his work on race, wealth, and philanthropy, and is an advocate for reparative philanthropy,[5][6][7][8][9][10] a framework designed to allow the use of philanthropy to right historical societal inequalities, and to correct for philanthropy's past and present role in perpetuating these same inequalities.[11][12]

Edgar Villanueva
Born1976 or 1977 (age 47–48)[1]
Raleigh, North Carolina
Alma materUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
Occupation(s)Founder and CEO, Decolonizing Wealth Project and Liberated Capital
Websitewww.edgarvillanueva.net

Early life and education

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Villanueva was born and grew up in a poor family[13] in Raleigh, North Carolina.[14] Villanueva describes himself as a "Southern Christian Native American".[13] He was raised by his mother, who worked for the DMV[15] alongside two other jobs.[13] Villanueva studied for a Bachelor of Arts degree in theology[16] at Jackson College of Ministries,[17] before he graduated from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelors in Public Health and earned a Masters in Health Administration from UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health.[18]

Career

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After completing graduate school, Villanueva worked for the American Social Health Association and the American Institutes for Research.[16] His first role in philanthropy was as junior programming officer at the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust in Winston-Salem, North Carolina[13] in 2005,[19] eventually becoming Senior Program Officer.[19]

Before founding the Decolonizing Wealth Project and Liberated Capital, he held leadership positions at the Marguerite Casey Foundation in Seattle and the Schott Foundation for Public Education in New York City.[19][13] Villanueva has also served on the boards of Native Americans in Philanthropy, the Andrus Family Fund, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, NDN Collective and Mother Jones.[20][21]

Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance (2018)

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Villanueva published Decolonizing Wealth in 2018, which critiques the colonial dynamics in philanthropy and finance. The book argues that philanthropy is connected to the historical accumulation of wealth through enslavement and genocide, and calls for a shift towards frameworks that prioritize giving back resources and decision-making power to marginalized communities.[22][23] Villanueva outlines “Seven Steps of Healing” for individuals and institutions to heal this imbalance,[23] focused on giving back resources and decision-making power to Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color.[24] The second edition of Decolonizing Wealth was published in 2021 with a foreword from Bishop William J. Barber II[25] and a Spanish-language edition was published in 2022.[26] Villanueva also published a journal, Money As Medicine, designed to guide individuals in using money for healing and restoration.[27][28]

Decolonizing Wealth Project

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Villanueva is the Founder and CEO of Decolonizing Wealth Project.[29] Founded in late 2018, Decolonizing Wealth Project (DWP) states its mission is to address the impacts of colonization through education, reparative giving, and storytelling.[30][31][32][33] DWP offers educational experiences, publishes reports,[34] and creates toolkits and guides about decolonizing wealth and equity in philanthropy. [35][36]

Liberated Capital

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Liberated Capital is a donor community and funding vehicle founded by Villanueva and associated with the Decolonizing Wealth Project. Liberated Capital supports initiatives led by Black, Indigenous, and other people of color.[37] According to the Decolonizing Wealth Project, Liberated Capital provided over $15 million from 2020–2024 to support initiatives focused on social, racial, and economic justice, including funding for initiatives like Villanueva's #Case4Reparations program.[38] In 2023, Decolonizing Wealth Project announced a $20 million campaign to support the reparations movement for Black people in America.[39] Other programs include the Indigenous Earth Fund and the California Truth and Healing Fund.[40] [41] [38] [42] [43] The California Truth and Healing Fund provides grant support to California Native American tribes and organizations to participate in the California Truth and Healing Council and related cultural healing opportunities.[44][45] The Indigenous Earth Fund is an annual grant opportunity for Indigenous-led organizations targeting climate and conservation issues.[46]

Other Writing

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Villanueva's writing has been published by The Washington Post[47], the Advocate,[48] Stanford Social Innovation Review,[23] USA Today,[49] and Yes! Magazine.[50]

Recognition and Awards

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Villanueva was named a 2020 Atlantic Fellow for Racial Equity,[51] a 2020 OZY Media Angelic Troublemaker,[52] was among the 2021 Nonprofit Times Power & Influence Top 50[53][54] and 2021 Inside Philanthropy Power List.[55] Villanueva and his work have been featured in the New York Times,[56] NPR,[57] Teen Vogue,[58] Vox,[59] and Forbes.[59]

Personal Life

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Villanueva resides in Brooklyn, New York City.[51][60] Villanueva is an enrolled member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.[61] Villanueva identifies as queer.[48]

References

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  1. ^ Hadero, Haleluya (16 August 2021). "Q&A: Author calls for donors to 'decolonize' their wealth". AP News. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  2. ^ Candid. "Liberated Capital awards $1.7 million for reparations advocacy". Philanthropy News Digest (PND). Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  3. ^ Villanueva, Edgar (August 17, 2021). Decolonizing-Wealth-Second-Indigenous-Divides. National Geographic Books. ISBN 978-1523091416.
  4. ^ Bornstein, David (2018-11-27). "Opinion | A Call to Modernize American Philanthropy". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  5. ^ "Edgar Villeneuve; The disruptor". Edgar Villeneuve; The disruptor. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  6. ^ Vourvoulias, Sabrina (2020-01-07). "Who are our nonprofit disruptors and instigators?". Generocity. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  7. ^ "Closing the racial wealth gap is a collective responsibility. Reparations are a solution". tangent.usatoday.com. 2021-04-15. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  8. ^ "The Reparations Fight Is Gaining New Traction—Philanthropy Is Slowly Getting on Board". Inside Philanthropy. 2022-01-04. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  9. ^ "How to Decolonize Wealth Through Reparations". YES! Magazine. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  10. ^ Chen, Rachel (2022-06-20). "What would true reparative giving in the philanthropic sector look like?". The Philanthropist Journal. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  11. ^ "The Work of a Lifetime: Reparative Philanthropy, Relationships, Healing, and Joy". NCFP. 2022-11-16. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  12. ^ "Reparative Philanthropy: A Framework for Funders". Giving Compass. 2022-11-29. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  13. ^ a b c d e "How to Use Money as a Tool for Healing - YES! Magazine Solutions Journalism". YES! Magazine. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  14. ^ "Edgar Villanueva: Churches must reimagine their relationship with money | Faith and Leadership". faithandleadership.com. 2019-04-08. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  15. ^ Hartmann, Michael. "The Sins of Our Fathers". Philanthropy Roundtable. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  16. ^ a b "Edgar Villanueva". InfluenceWatch. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  17. ^ "Edgar Villanueva Joins the Schott Foundation as Vice President of Programs and Advocacy". Schott Foundation. 21 May 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  18. ^ "Author and activist Edgar Villanueva to speak at Gillings School's 2022 Commencement". UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  19. ^ a b c "Edgar Villanueva Joins the Schott Foundation as Vice President of Programs and Advocacy". Philanthropy New York. 2015-05-22. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  20. ^ "Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Elects Two New Members to Board of Trustees". RWJF. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  21. ^ "Edgar Villanueva". NCFP. 2019-02-15. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  22. ^ Bornstein, David (November 27, 2018). "A Call to Modernize American Philanthropy". The New York Times. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  23. ^ a b c "Money as Medicine (SSIR)". ssir.org. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  24. ^ Brancaccio, Candace Manriquez Wrenn, David (2019-12-03). ""Decolonizing Wealth": Changing the field of philanthropy". Marketplace. Retrieved 2024-07-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  25. ^ Villanueva, Edgar (August 17, 2021). Decolonizing-Wealth-Indigenous-Divides-Restore. National Geographic Books. ISBN 978-1523091416.
  26. ^ Villanueva, Edgar (June 14, 2022). Descolonizando-riqueza-divisiones-restablecer-equilibrio. National Geographic Books. ISBN 978-1523003235.
  27. ^ Martin, Courtney (2021-10-11). "Money as medicine". the examined family. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  28. ^ "The Guided Journal". decolonizingwealth.com. July 7, 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  29. ^ "Our Team". decolonizingwealth.com. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  30. ^ "What's Next for the Decolonizing Wealth Project? - Magic Cabinet". 2024-04-09. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  31. ^ "Decolonizing Wealth Project". Decolonizing Wealth Project. 2020.
  32. ^ Franklin, Jane (2021-10-11). "This Multi-million Dollar Initiative Is Working to Return Wealth to Black and Indigenous Communities". Chasing the Dream. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  33. ^ Muirhead, Kit (2023-11-16). "It's time to decolonise philanthropy, are you ready to join the struggle?". Alliance magazine. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  34. ^ "decolonizingwealth.com/solidarity-by-design/". decolonizingwealth.com. April 25, 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  35. ^ "Reparative Philanthropy Community of Practice". decolonizingwealth.com. July 7, 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  36. ^ "From Fundraiser to Resource Mobilizer- Follow Up Resources". www.compasspoint.org. 2021-06-25. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  37. ^ DiBenedetto, Chase (2022-03-26). "What does it mean to decolonize your donations?". Mashable. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  38. ^ a b "DWP-5-Year-Graphic-Summary-Single-Pages" (PDF). DecolonizingWealth.com. July 7, 2024.
  39. ^ "Reparations campaigns get boost from new philanthropic funding". AP News. 2023-06-09. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  40. ^ "Liberated Capital: A Decolonizing Wealth Fund - Center for Urban and Racial Equity". urbanandracialequity.org. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  41. ^ "Liberated Capital: A Decolonizing Wealth Project Fund". Grapevine. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  42. ^ "The Reparations Fight Is Gaining New Traction—Philanthropy Is Slowly Getting on Board". Inside Philanthropy. 2022-01-04. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  43. ^ DiBenedetto, Chase (2023-05-04). "Funding the Earth's keepers: The need for Indigenous climate philanthropy". Mashable. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  44. ^ "California Truth and Healing Fund". decolonizingwealth.com. July 7, 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  45. ^ "On Indigenous Peoples' Day, Governor Newsom Announces California Truth & Healing Council Partnership to Support Philanthropic and Community Engagement". Governor of California. 2021-10-11. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  46. ^ DiBenedetto, Chase (2023-05-04). "Funding the Earth's keepers: The need for Indigenous climate philanthropy". Mashable. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  47. ^ "Opinion | More to the story of the Lumbee". Washington Post. 2018-09-07. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  48. ^ a b Villanueva, Edgar (18 November 2020). "Trump May Be Gone (Almost) But Toxic Masculinity Is Here to Stay". www.advocate.com. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  49. ^ "Closing the racial wealth gap is a collective responsibility. Reparations are a solution". tangent.usatoday.com. 2021-04-15. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  50. ^ "Opinion | Healing From Colonization on Thanksgiving and Beyond". YES! Magazine. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  51. ^ a b "Edgar Villanueva". Atlantic Fellows for Racial Equity. 2020-08-02. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  52. ^ "Mother Jones". MotherJones.com. October 15, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  53. ^ "NPT Power & Influence Top 50 (2021)". The NonProfit Times. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  54. ^ "The NonProfit Times' 2023"Power & Influence Top 50"". The NonProfit Times. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  55. ^ "The Inside Philanthropy Power List". Inside Philanthropy. 2021-07-21. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  56. ^ Bornstein, David (2018-11-27). "Opinion | A Call to Modernize American Philanthropy". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  57. ^ Brancaccio, Candace Manriquez Wrenn, David (2019-12-03). ""Decolonizing Wealth": Changing the field of philanthropy". Marketplace. Retrieved 2024-07-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  58. ^ Wicker, Jewel (2020-04-03). "Indigenous Communities Are Organizing to Fight Coronavirus". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  59. ^ a b Matthews, Dylan (2019-07-01). "The unbearable whiteness of American charities". Vox. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  60. ^ Gervois, Pierre (November 2, 2018). "Edgar Villanueva". YouTube.com. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  61. ^ "11. Knowledge Translation and Indigenous Communities: A Decolonizing Perspective", Knowledge Translation in Context, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, pp. 181–200, 2011-12-31, doi:10.3138/9781442689961-014, ISBN 978-1-4426-8996-1, retrieved 2024-07-07
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