BPF’s Re-emergence, Formations, & Tending to Change
Dear sangha,
We hope you are finding ways to act and reflect, to move and grieve and be still, in solitude and with your people. We know so many of you have been working towards justice and peace in Palestine, Haiti, Burma, Tigray, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine, and here on Turtle Island. We are celebrating your leadership and organizing, and we are cheering you on.
And who are “we”? Well…
New Formations...
Graphic reads Emerging Formations & Tending to Change". The image features a warm, earth-toned background with abstract shapes and textures, including a butterfly at the top left, symbolizing transformation and renewal. There are three circular portrait photos. On the left, Kate Johnson, a person with short hair, wearing a yellow top and smiling. In the middle, Dani Padilla, with long hair styled with braids, wearing a jacket, and on the right, DSL Saint Louis, wearing a peach-colored sweater and offering a warm smile. The overall aesthetic is one of vibrant professionalism with a focus on community and leadership.
Back in the fall, our staff and board read over a hundred applications and met dozens of applicants in interviews in our search for two new full time co-director positions. Seriously. Amazing. People. Tremendous thanks to everyone who responded to this call for new leadership.
We are thrilled to officially welcome Daní Ortiz Padilla and DSL Saint Louis as members of BPF’s co-director team!
During these first few months together, we’ve been reflecting on organizational history, getting our systems right, and setting up infrastructure that can support the work we hope to do together. We’ve also been in learning and visioning mode as members of Aorta’s confluence cohort, savoring the opportunity to revisit our theory of change, align our work culture with our commitment to deep equity, and identify our strategic priorities from there…
To learn more about DSL and Daní, check out their bios on our staff page here
Welcoming Sarwang Parikh back onto BPF’s Board!
We also want to share profound appreciation for Sarwang Parikh’s service to BPF, as they shift out of their staff role to rejoin our board of directors in April 2024.
Sarwang’s warm, stabilizing presence and emphasis on internal relationship building carried BPF through deep transitional waters over the last several years. They first joined the board after serving as retreat facilitator and participating in creative and contemplative direct actions with BPF in Oakland. Sarwang was asked to serve as BPF’s interim Executive Director in 2021, and became Co-Director of Programs and Partnerships in early 2023.
As a board member, Sarwang will continue to be an advisor and thought partner to our staff. We value Sarwang’s continued efforts to help BPF to honor and lift up Asian and Asian-American engaged Buddhist teachers, communities and lineages in our work. And we stay grateful for the links to readings, events, and practices that they keep flowing across our Slack channels, keeping us close to the dharma of the current moment
We extend Sarwang our blessings as, in their post-director life, they turn their attention toward teaching the dharma, building their therapy practice, dancing, making music, and devoting time to family. You can find some of Sarwang’s current offerings here. You can still reach them at Sarwang@bpf.org!
New Board Energies!
And finally, we are delighted to welcome three new board members to join our team. We are truly grateful that these brilliant beings are volunteering to help us more deeply align our vision with our strategic priorities, fortify our feedback and conflict transformation processes, and hope
Please welcome…
At the top center, in white bold lettering against the red overlay, it reads "New luminaries have joined the BPF Board". The image includes warm color tones, including shades of orange, brown, and a deep red overlay. The images' focus is on three circular portraits of individuals who are new members of the board. The first portrait is of Deidra Montgomery, and is depicted from the shoulders up, wearing a yellow top. The middle portrait is of Dejah Powell and their photo is taken from shoulders up as well, wearing a black top, and smiling slightly. The third portrait features Hun Taing. She is smiling broadly at the camera, wearing a black top.
Deidra Montgomery is a strategic and equity consultant, sound artist, facilitator and coach
Dejah Powell is the Deputy Organizing Director at Sunrise Movement, committed to organizing, art, and healing collective for young people
Hun Taing has served in executive leadership roles leading people, culture and DEI work for social and environmental justice organizations
We leave you with sacred and precious words from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay)."If I had to choose between Buddhism and Peace, I would choose Peace" - Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay).
With open hearts in service,
BPF Co-Director Team
