Ideas at Ford

A conversation series that dives into complex social justice issues of our time

Hosted at the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice in New York, Ideas at Ford features dynamic conversations on topical issues connected to the foundation’s central mission to fight inequality. Led by author and essayist Charles M. Blow, these crucial dialogues invite industry experts, policymakers, social justice leaders, key commentators, and authors to share their bold visions for the future.

Transcript

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CHARLES BLOW: Welcome to “Ideas at Ford with Charles Blow,” where we bring together some of the world’s best and most innovative thinkers.

[A montage featuring moments of Charles Blow in conversation with guests on stage.]

BILLIE JEAN KING: I always want each generation: to not just think about yourself, but to think about the groundwork you are laying for the next generations.

CHARLES BLOW: And should we be thinking about the heartland differently?

GABE BROWN: Let’s come together and find common ground for common good.

KEVIN BACON: The antidote for despair is always activism.

CHARLES BLOW: Can you share with this audience how you became so interested in this particular issue?

MATT DAMON: I realized had someone not had the foresight to sink this borewell within walking distance, this girl would not be in school.

VEDIKA BHANDARKAR: That’s the power of water.

JOYELLE NICOLE JOHNSON: I think you just have to make it as personal as possible.

STEPHANIE “SPARKLE” EDWARDS: We need to believe young girls and women.

JES TOM: As a comedian, I feel very strongly about, like, the gathering of real people in real life.

DR. ABDULEL-SAYED: You and I found each other and we got to have this amazing experience.

CHARLES BLOW: When we come together, sharing our unique perspectives, we can spark inspiration, motivation, and change.

Names of featured guests:

Billie Jean King & Clara Wu Tsai, Kevin Bacon & Gabe Brown, Matt Damon, Vedika Bhandarkar, & Kiki Tazkiyah, Stephanie “Sparkle” Edwards & Aishah Shahidah Simmons 

Accessibility Statement

  • All videos produced by the Ford Foundation since 2020 include captions and downloadable transcripts. For videos where visuals require additional understanding, we offer audio-described versions.
  • We are continuing to make videos produced prior to 2020 accessible.
  • Videos from third-party sources (those not produced by the Ford Foundation) may not have captions, accessible transcripts, or audio descriptions.
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The Conversations

Two people are sitting in conversation against a dark curtain background. The group includes, from left to right, Charles Blow in a black suit, white shirt, and black tie, and Darren Walker wearing a light blue blazer, striped collar shirt and dark blue slacks.

Courage and Leadership with Darren Walker

Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation, joins Charles Blow to discuss the upcoming release of his latest book, Idea of America: Reflections on Inequality, Democracy, and the Values We Share, a reaffirmation of America’s enduring promise and a timely compendium that introduces us to an essential leader of and…

Three people are sitting in conversation against a dark curtain background. The group includes, from left to right, Charles Blow in a black suit, white shirt, and black tie. Kevin Love in a dark blue suit and white t-shirt, and Yolo Akili in a knitted top and khaki trousers.

Disabilities You Can’t See with Kevin Love and Yolo Akili Robinson

Kevin Love, NBA champion, and Yolo Akili Robinson, founder/executive director of the Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM) and Ford Global Fellow, join Charles Blow to discuss why it’s essential to remove the stigma around mental health support and how they’re working to champion this movement.

Three people sit on stage in a panel discussion. The man on the left, Charles Blow, wears a suit. The woman, Aimee Roberson, in the middle, gestures while speaking. The man on the right, Tristan Ahtone, wears glasses and a patterned shirt. A plant is in the background.

Centering Indigenous Voices in the Climate Movement with Aimee Roberson and Tristan Ahtone

Cultural Survival’s Aimee Roberson and Grist’s Tristan Ahtone join Charles Blow for a conversation on the importance of centering Indigenous voices in solutions for climate change.

Four people sit on stage in discussion at an event labeled Ideas At Ford. One man, Charles Blow, holds notes while three women, Sara Ziff, Sinéad Burke, and Lindsay Peoples, dressed in formal attire, listen and engage, with one woman gesturing as she speaks.

A New Model for Fashion with Sinéad Burke, Lindsay Peoples, and Sara Ziff

Tilting the Lens founder and CEO Sinéad Burke, The Cut’s editor-in-chief and Black in Fashion Council co-founder, Lindsay Peoples, and Model Alliance founder and executive director Sara Ziff join Charles Blow to talk about creating change within the fashion industry and how to make the field more equitable and accessible.

A panel of four people sit on stage during the Ideas At Ford event. Three are smiling as one speaks. They are seated in chairs with a blue-lit backdrop behind them. Left to right they are Charles Blow, Liz Shuler, Jessica Berman, and Carl Nassib.

Bringing Advocacy to the Big Leagues with Carl Nassib, Jessica Berman, and Liz Shuler

Former NFL player Carl Nassib, National Women’s Soccer League commissioner Jessica Berman, and the president of the AFL-CIO Liz Shuler join Charles Blow to talk about how advocacy for players in sports is changing the game.

Three people are sitting in conversation against a blue curtain background. From left to right, they are Charles Blow in a dark suit and tie, Roy Wood Jr. in a grey suit and sneakers, and Joyelle Nicole Johnson in a bright pink suit.

Comedy for Culture: Turning Laughter Into Action With Roy Wood, Jr. and Joyelle Nicole Johnson

Comedy can be a unifying force and a source of joy. But it can also be a vehicle for driving social change. We sit down with some of the leading comedic voices of our time to unpack their approach to utilizing comedy to spur action on social justice issues.

Three people are sitting in conversation against a blue curtain background. From left to right, they are Charles Blow in a blue suit, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, who has a beard and wears a dark suit with a white collar shirt, and Jes Tom, who has short hair and wears a brown shirt.

The Epidemic of Loneliness with Dr. Abdul El-Sayed and Jes Tom

Even before COVID-19, about half of U.S. adults reported experiencing loneliness. In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General released a report on the epidemic of loneliness, which has far-reaching consequences for our well-being, requiring urgent interventions. How can we work individually and as a society to combat the epidemic of loneliness?

Three people are sitting in conversation against a blue curtain background: from left to right they are Charles Blow in a dark suit and tie, Stephanie “Sparkle” Edwards, in a black blazer and beige top and slacks and Aishah Shahidah Simmons in a patterned jacket, black top and slacks and a maroon scarf.

The Courage Fund with Stephanie “Sparkle” Edwards and Aishah Shahidah Simmons

In this “Ideas at Ford” conversation, The Courage Fund’s inaugural awardees, Stephanie “Sparkle” Edwards and Aishah Shahidah Simmons, join host Charles Blow to discuss standing up in the face of adversity for the benefit of women and girls everywhere.

Four individuals, two men and two women, dressed in business casual and formal attire, are sitting in conversation against a blue curtain background. The women are smiling; one wears a hijab. The men are also smiling, both in suits and ties. From left to right, they are Charles Blow, Matt Damon, Vedika Bhandarkar, and Kiki Tazkiyah.

The Worth of Water with Matt Damon, Vedika Bhandarkar, and Kiki Tazkiyah

Host Charles Blow speaks withWater.Org and WaterEquity cofounder Matt Damon and Water.Org’s Vedika Bhandarkar and Kiki Tazkiyah, about why access to safe water and sanitation is one of the most pressing human rights issues today.

Three men are sitting in coversation in against a blue curtain background. The group includes Charles Blow, from left to right, in a dark suit and tie. The middle man, Kevin Bacon, wears glasses and a beige jacket over a dark shirt. The man on the right, Gabe Brown, wears a blue cap and a striped polo shirt.

The Heartland: Elevating Voices in Local Communities with Kevin Bacon and Gabe Brown

Communities across America, especially in rural areas, have increasingly seen less money and more problems. With access to broadband, quality medical care, and good jobs dwindling, the heartland of America urgently needs attention. Who are the changemakers in these areas and what are the opportunities we can’t afford to miss?

Three people are sitting in conversation against a blue curtain background. The group includes, from left to right, Charles Blow in a dark suit, Billie Jean King in black with a blue blazer, and Clara Wu Tsai in a beige white and trousers.

Equity in Women’s Sports with Billie Jean King and Clara Wu Tsai

We’re witnessing the highest ratings in recent history for Women’s basketball, soccer, tennis, and more. But, conversations about equity and pay still need more attention. How can both athletes and fans work to ensure an equitable future for women’s sports?

Portrait of Charles Blow with the text "Ideas at Ford with Charles Blow" next to it

Ideas at Ford Trailer

Hosted at the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice by New York Times columnist Charles M. Blow, Ideas at Ford is a conversation series exploring complex social justice issues and solutions.

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