Darren Walker is president of the Ford Foundation, a $16 billion international social justice philanthropy. Under his leadership, the Ford Foundation became the first nonprofit in US history to issue a $1 billion designated social bond to stabilize nonprofit organizations in the wake of Covid-19. Before joining Ford, Darren was vice president at the Rockefeller Foundation. In the 1990s, he was COO of the Abyssinian Development Corporation, Harlem's largest community development organization. Darren co-founded both the US Impact Investing Alliance and the Presidents' Council on Disability Inclusion in Philanthropy. He serves on many boards, including the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Block, Inc., and Ralph Lauren. Educated exclusively in public schools, Darren was a member of the first Head Start class and received BA, BS, and JD degrees from The University of Texas at Austin. He was named one of TIME 's annual 100 Most Influential People, Out magazine's Power 50, and The Wall Street Journal 's 2020 Philanthropy Innovator. He holds sixteen honorary degrees and Harvard University's W.E.B. Du Bois Medal. In 2022, he was named Commander of the French Order of Arts and Letters and appointed by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, to the Order of the British Empire for services to UK - US relations.
""Here's a challenge: Find a figure in American philanthropy more inspiring, more knowledgeable, or better able to articulate both the vast import and fundamental limitations of this great national tradition than Darren Walker."" --Town and Country Magazine ""From Generosity to Justice is a rare, eye-opening, and exciting read that opens both the heart and mind."" --Shonda Rhimes, producer ""A clarion call for a new kind of philanthropy to transform our society."" --Joel Fleishman, Professor of Law and Public Policy Studies and Director of the Center for Strategic Philanthropy and Civil Society at Duke University ""A recalibration and reimagination of the philanthropic model crafted by the Carnegie and Rockefeller families over a century ago. This new gospel must be heard all over the world!"" --David Rockefeller, Jr. ""An insightful analysis of contemporary philanthropy offered by a perceptive, experienced insider."" --Kirkus Reviews ""From Generosity to Justice shows why Darren Walker is one of philanthropy's most forward-thinking and important leaders."" --Michael Bloomberg, former Mayor of New York City ""His bold call for business leaders to demonstrate moral courage is just one part of a new model for justice-minded philanthropy, one that offers both the advantaged and disadvantaged tangible ways to disrupt inequality."" --Indra Nooyi, former CEO and Chairperson of PepsiCo ""Orchestrating a dynamic chorus of vital voices and vibrant vision, Walker harnesses singular storytelling to catalyze ideas and instigate inspiration for a more just future."" --Ava Duvernay, Emmy-winning producer ""This clear-thinking text insists that powerful shifts in thinking are vital to changing actions and outcomes."" --Foreword Reviews ""This will become a defining manifesto of our era."" --Walter Isaacson, New York Times bestselling author of Elon Musk, Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, and Steve Jobs ""Walker bravely tackles the subject of inequality with one pressing question in mind: What can philanthropy do about it?"" --Ken Chenault, former CEO of American Express ""Walker illustrates how philanthropy is about more than giving money away; it's about giving energy, and providing 'righteous optimism' for the sake of justice."" --Agnes Gund, President Emerita of the Museum of Modern Art