EQUITY SPOTLIGHTS

CELEBRATING DISRUPTORS OF THE STATUS QUO

FALL 2022

Left to right: Osyrus Bolly and Magaly Licolli
Pictured left to right: Osyrus Bolly and Magaly Licolli

Philanthropy has a long history of being on the wrong side of justice and equity. But as more funders answer the call to center equity as part of their mission, we understand that acknowledging the leadership and expertise of Arkansans is a vital step in listening to, and learning from, local communities.

WRF congratulates Little Rock native, Osyrus Bolly, who was recognized as the 2022 Emerging Change Champion by Community Change – a national organization that builds the power of people working hard to make ends meet – such as ALICE – to fight for a society where everyone can thrive. 

Osyrus currently serves as a community organizer and the Social Justice & Racial Equity Coordinator for the Arkansas Public Policy Panel.

The Foundation also salutes the leader of Venceremos, Magaly Licolli, and joins in celebrating the grand opening of the organization’s community center in Springdale, Arkansas. 

Magaly is the visionary behind Venceremos, a newly formed worker-based organization whose mission is to ensure the human rights of poultry workers.

WRF applauds Osyrus’ commitment to being a drum major for justice – amplifying key issues of racial inequity in Little Rock – and Magaly’s insistence on developing worker-leaders capacity to demand dignity and respect. We are excited to invest in these community champions because of their courage to be disruptors of the status quo.