ABFE Presents: Harambee 2026 — Continued Professional Development

Editor's Note: Ericia Henry launched from The Patterson Foundation in April 2026 and now serves as a Stewardship and Engagement Officer at Kiwanis International Headquarters. In this role, she works within the stewardship and development team, supporting responsibilities across both areas.

 

The Harambee Conference is the largest gathering of Black professionals in organized philanthropy, welcoming allies, co-creators, and co-conspirators committed to supporting Black individuals and communities.

This year’s Harambee Conference was nothing short of empowering, refreshing, refueling, and deeply connective. It brought back the same feelings I remember having during my first time attending the ABFE conference. This was also the last conference I will attend as a TPF fellow, which made the experience even more special. I was intentional about soaking in every moment, reflecting on my journey as a fellow while also looking ahead to how I will grow as I transition into a new role in the coming weeks.

Being at ABFE for the final time as a TPF Fellow made me reflect on how grateful I am for the generosity of The Patterson Foundation. It is not often that organizations provide opportunities to attend conferences and professional development experiences of your choice. These opportunities not only allow time for continued learning but also create space to connect with professionals and build what TPF often calls “connective tissue.”

Several themes that stood out to me, many of which closely align with the values I have come to know over the past two years. My first and strongest feeling was joy, and I know this was shared among the more than 1,000 attendees.

Common Themes and Alignment with TPF Values
One moment that stood out was hearing one of TPF’s familiar sayings shared and practiced among professionals in the field: Change happens at the speed of trust. As soon as I heard this, I lit up. Those words rang a familiar tune and reminded me of what I have been learning at TPF.

Several additional themes emerged throughout the conference:

• We all have a role and an opportunity to create change and support transformative efforts that directly impact targeted and underrepresented groups.

• When Black communities are properly supported, resourced, and empowered, all people benefit and win from the positive outcomes these efforts create.

• Funding is a powerful tool. When funding is intentionally invested in the right organizations at the proper time, it can accelerate impact.

• Strategic planning and partnerships are essential tools that organizations should leverage to properly plan and carry out their missions.

• Relationship-building is critical and should remain a top priority in our field. Strong relationships create bonds, allow people to share their light with one another, and exchange what TPF calls “cookies”— knowledge, experience, and insight. People don’t know what they don’t know, and relationships help close that gap.

• Self-care and grounding practices are essential. The work we do can be demanding, and it is important to intentionally care for ourselves to remain effective and sustainable.

• Data is powerful. Organizations should not only seek out data, but also produce it, own it, and use findings to propel their work forward.

• Support does not look the same for everyone. People and communities require different types of support, and funders must understand and respond to those differences.

• While conversations about the past can be overwhelming, it is critical to highlight stories of overcoming and use those lessons to guide future progress.

These are just a few of the themes that stood out during my time at the ABFE conference. The privilege of attending conferences like this to learn, connect, and grow has been one of the most rewarding and meaningful parts of my fellowship.