By 
Mexico
On April 13, Colectiva Nudo 6/6 – a collective of textile brands owned and operated by Indigenous artisans from the Mexican states of Chiapas and Yucatán – made its triumphant debut at Vancouver Fashion Week. They showed a collection of 13 original looks on the runway, marrying traditional materials and ancestral techniques with contemporary design. WKKF helped fund the Vancouver showcase and partnered with several grantee organizations to form the collective, which represents more than 750 Indigenous women artisans. Their resounding success on the international fashion stage stands to open new doors and new markets to the collective, expanding economic opportunities for hundreds of Indigenous families across Mexico. Explore the vast media coverage including Spanish-language outlets Glamour México y Latinoamérica and Harper’s Bazaar en Español, as well as Olio by Marilyn, an English-language blog by bestselling author and speaker Marilyn R. Wilson.
Mississippi
Congratulations to WKKF grantee Mississippi Today, which was awarded the inaugural Peter F. Collier Award for Ethics in Journalism for its courageous reporting on the state’s welfare scandal. Presented by New York University’s Ethics and Journalism Initiative, the award recognizes reporting that upholds the highest ethical standards in the face of intimidation. This national recognition underscores the vital role of independent, community-centered journalism in holding power accountable and informing the public.
Food Systems
In response to persistent food insecurity, local organizations are transforming New Orleans’ food landscape from the ground up. WKKF grantees Grow Dat Youth Farm and SPROUT NOLA are leading the way — training young leaders, supporting new farmers and increasing access to healthy, affordable food in underserved neighborhoods. Their work is part of a growing movement to build community resilience through local farming, food education and economic opportunity.
Health
The Grand Rapids African American Health Institute (GRAAHI), a WKKF grantee, marked Black Maternal Health Week with a photography exhibition called Ujima: Capturing Collective Work and Responsibility in Black Birth at MUSE GR. The exhibit highlights the beauty, resilience and communal care of Black birthing experiences while drawing attention to persistent maternal health disparities. GRAAHI uses the theme of ujima — collective work and responsibility — to spotlight Black maternal health through art, doula training and youth engagement initiatives aimed at improving birth outcomes and fostering future advocates.
Impact Investing
In 2018, few expected the Black Panther movie to be the runaway success it became. Seven years later, Director Ryan Coogler is back with the movie “Sinners,” which celebrated a record-breaking opening weekend. This time though, Coogler has a bigger stake in the film’s success. MACRO Media, the firm backing “Sinners” and a WKKF investee, signed a unique deal with Coogler that gives him more ownership rights and creative control. The unusual terms are a testament to the firm’s confidence in Coogler’s ability to produce box office hits and a powerful step toward economic equity for filmmakers.
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