At Metropolitan Group and our sister company Impacto Social Metropolitan Group (MG/ISMG), we are privileged to support and collaborate with leaders in the public, nonprofit, philanthropic, and private sectors who are working to address these global challenges. We are working with leaders and communities in over 20 countries, strengthening civic space and the people’s voice on issues that impact them, advancing responsive government, bolstering public health and well-being, accelerating biodiversity conservation, addressing climate impacts, countering misinformation, fighting corruption, standing for human rights, and fostering inclusive economies. We see the potential power and opportunity to increase social change by supporting connections at the intersections of issues and facilitating learning from different countries and cultures.

We are excited to share tools, models, learnings and stories from this work and to invite conversation and collaboration. We invite you to visit and access the resources on our Addressing Global Challenges page.

We look forward to learning, collaborating and working with you in 2025 and beyond to address global challenges.

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“Environmental justice has become a buzzword and a shimmering pearl at the heart of the Biden-Harris administration’s approach to mitigating climate change. My introduction to environmental justice (EJ) began when I started working at Metropolitan Group. Though my passion for the environment was ignited more than a decade ago, I wasn’t aware that there was a term to describe the necessary work of demanding equity for communities that have been disproportionately impacted by environmental toxicity and the consequences of industrial growth and governmental negligence. I’ve since learned that for more than 40 years, a dedicated group of advocates has been building a movement that has finally gained federal support from the current administration.”

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As we begin our 35th year, we are inspired by the innovative, passionate and impactful work of change agents working to make structural improvements to advance a more just and sustainable world. We have seen the resilience and the impact of people standing for democratic values, doing the hard work of power building and movement building, and championing freedom and human rights for people in Mexico, the United States and around the world. We have supported community leaders, coalitions and organizations invested in authentic engagement, to shift the dynamics of who is seen and centered, whose voices are amplified, and who has agency to drive change. 

MG/ISMG is privileged to work with change agents and the communities they serve. This year, we partnered with our clients to: advance just solutions to climate change, strengthen democracy, counter structural racism, address gender-based violence, advocate for families of the disappeared, center environmental justice, accelerate biodiversity conservation, increase health equity and build currency for equitable well-being, support organizational transformation based on equity and inclusion, and so much more. 

2022 was also a time for continued work on strengthening our own organizational culture and capacity. Our capacity and resources have increased to meet the needs of our clients, and in 2022 we added 15 incredible new MG/ISMGers to our team—many of whom we met in person for the first time at our staff retreat at The Public Will Building.

This 34th annual letter to stakeholders shares updates on our team, thought leadership and stories of our clients’ work and impact. As we embark on our 35th year, we are deeply committed to advancing the shared imperatives of public health, environmental sustainability and social justice—we are excited to collaborate with you in this work. On behalf of the entire MG/ISMG team, we look forward to partnering with you to advance collective impact, creativity and the power of voice.

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Here are some highlights from the convening.

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To see more photos visit our Facebook page.

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Attendees learned:

• How to critically evaluate their organization’s narratives about leadership, including how they might perpetuate harmful practices and mask existing strengths and assets.
• How broadening the narrative about leadership can propel shifts in internal and external practices, programs and funding.

The post Organizational strategy and Innovation: Evaluating an organization’s narrative about leadership to propel equity appeared first on Metgroup.

The installation “Miradora” is the product of the work of the cultural program Atrio de San Francisco of the Fundación del Centro Histórico in collaboration with organizations and collectives that address issues of women’s rights and their diversities: Juventudes Trans México, EQUIS Justicia para las Mujeres, ILSB, Intersecta, GIRE, Balance A.C., Existimos, QuereTrans, Fondo Semillas, Hola, Amigue, Transformar Trascender, IOIO Mexico, Asociación por las infancias transgénero, Escucharnos Decir, Impulso Trans, Las Indecidibles, Casa de las Muñecas Tiresias, Casa Hogar Paola Buenrostro, Más Sueños and Centro de Apoyo a las Identidades Trans A.C. (CAIT). We thank the women who have generously shared their knowledge and experiences in their different struggles.

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Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, and Cel-Liberation Day, is now a federal holiday celebrated annually on June 19. It commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union general Gordon Granger read federal orders in Galveston that “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.” It is important to note that this declaration of freedom came two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln freeing all enslaved peoples. Later that year, the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed into law to officially abolish the practice of slavery after nearly 250 years. 

Juneteenth is a day of reflection, healing and solidarity as we stand at the center of communal pain with Black and African American communities across our nation and globally. It is also a day to remember the very long and hard road African Americans have traveled—and continue to travel—to gain the full measure of citizenship in these United States.

We owe it to Black social justice champions to honor their legacies and to continue fighting for justice and equality for all—these heroes paid the ultimate price for the many freedoms we have now. As we continue to face devastating realities in this nation, such as the recent mass murders in Buffalo and Uvalde, we must center racial equity and continue to advocate for gun safety, as well as abortion and LGBTQIA+ rights, free and fair voting access, criminal justice reform, health equity, a more humane asylum and immigration system, as well as environmental and climate justice. Juneteenth is the day, every year, when we are reminded to renew our commitment to the struggle of freedom.

Resources for Juneteenth (compiled by Marco Holman):

• On Juneteenth book by Annette Gordon-Reed (watch her here)
• “Juneteenth Emancipation and Memory”  in Lone Star Pasts: Memory and History in Texas by Gregg Cantrell, Elizabeth H. Turner, W. F. Brundage
• “This Juneteenth, I don’t feel like celebrating. Instead, I’m cooking barbecue in memory of Black lives lost.” by Lazarus Lynch
• “What is Juneteenth?” article by Henry Louis Gates Jr.
• “June 19 Should be a National Holiday” by Jonah Walters
• “History of Juneteenth” presented by Dr. Shennette Garrett-Scott
• Celebrating Juneteenth in D.C., 2022 from the Washington Post
• Celebrating Juneteenth in Portland, OR from Portland Monthly

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The discussion was informed by the participation of about 85 thought leaders spanning disciplines, sectors and organizations. If you would like to view the full conversation, click here or watch the video below. We have also recapped highlights from our panelists in this Medium blog—we encourage your comments and shares.

If, after reviewing the above links, you have questions or reflections related to infrastructure and its connection to environmental justice, climate or health equity, we’d be happy to set up some time to continue the conversation. We welcome the opportunity to shape ideas together.

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