2025 Annual Meeting: Upholding Democracy (RECAP)

On June 23, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven held its 2025 Annual Meeting at Southern Connecticut State University's Lyman Center for the Performing Arts.  

The evening began with a music and dance performance from Movimiento Cultural Afro-Continental (see description and video below), followed by introductory remarks from Board Chair Fernando Muñiz and President & CEO Karen DuBois-Walton, who reviewed highlights from 2024 and spoke about The Foundation's work to meet the moment.

DuBois-Walton then moderated a panel discussion on upholding our democracy and civic institutions with three leaders working on local and national stages: Mark Contreras, president and CEO of Connecticut Public; Jens Frederiksen, president of University of New Haven; and Kica Matos, president of the National Immigration Law Center.  A reception followed the event. 

What We Heard

• Attacks on the rights of people in one community are attacks on the rights of everyone.
• Democracy is strongest when the public is educated and able to understand complexity.
• Acting and getting involved locally is one of the best ways to strengthen our democracy. 

Opening Performance: Movimiento Cultural Afro-Continental 

Musical guest Movimiento Cultural Afro-Continental performed Bomba, the traditional folkloric music of Borinquen (Puerto Rico). This powerful genre of drumming, dance and storytelling has been preserved for over 400 years. The performance opened with a powerful rhythm called Yubá, followed by the song, “Debajo de la Luna” (Under the Moon). It tells a true story written by one of the genre's master artists, Nitzie Judith Sánchez, from Guayama, Puerto Rico, and honors the Coquí, a tiny amphibian native and a national symbol of Puerto Rico, whose beautiful singing fills the island's nights and is in danger of extinction.

Local Artwork on Display 

We were fortunate to feature the artwork of two local artists, Linda Mickens and Judy Sirota Rosenthal, in the lobby of the Lyman Center. 

How You Can Help

Help strengthen our democracy and our community with gifts to one of the following permanent funds.

• Basic Needs Fund: Help the Basic Needs Fund raise more grant resources for basic material needs in Greater New Haven — now and in the future. Your support will put a roof over someone's head and food on someone's table today — AND contribute to long-term solutions. Attacks on the rights of people in one community is an attack on the rights of everyone.
• Civic Engagement and Awareness Fund: The Civic Engagement and Awareness Fund supports the many people and organizations who work every day to advance civic awareness and engagement in our region, including nonprofit journalism; civics education; grassroots efforts to promote civic engagement at the neighborhood level; and promoting civic values through cultural activities, convenings and other community gatherings and activities.
• Community Now Fund: The Community Now Fund was established to provide current use funding to meet emergent and immediate needs in the community. The Fund represents a collective recommitment to one another and to our shared belief that we can build a stronger future for Greater New Haven by acting together.

2024/25 Report to Our Community

Printed copies of the 2024/25 Report to Our Community were handed out to attendees. Download a digital copy here.
Would you like a printed report? Request a hardcopy report here.

With questions or to receive invitations to future events, please contact Carmen Burgos.