The AFP Quebec’s IDEA committee had the chance to sit down with Akilah Newton, Founder and Executive Director of Overture with the Arts (OWTA) to discuss the intersection of the not-for-profit world and diversity.

OWTA is a Montreal-based non-profit organization founded in 2009 with the goal of making the arts more accessible to youth from all walks of life. With a background in entertainment management and a passion for community work, Akilah created OWTA after managing a performing arts school and witnessing how financial barriers excluded many children. What began as extracurricular activities organized after-school evolved into classroom-based programming, including a groundbreaking Black History Month presentation tour focused on Canadian trailblazers, which helped put OWTA on the map. Now celebrating its 16th anniversary, OWTA reaches up to 100 schools annually across Canada and offers a range of DEI presentations. With topics such as “Unpacking the N-word” and “P is for Privilege,” these presentations are infused with music and spoken word – bringing in OWTA’s signature artistic touch – and are be adapted for both academic and corporate audiences.

Our conversation ranged from generational shifts in philanthropy to underrepresented communities to her vision for the future and the importance of mentorship.

Q: How do you view the culture shift in engaging the next generation of philanthropists and volunteers?

A: There has been a huge shift since I started in this field sixteen years ago. Generation Z, especially, is very in tune with what’s going on in the world, on all levels. As a Gen X’er, I definitely wasn’t an activist as a teenager. But, this is a very informed generation, in large part due to social media. A one-minute reel can quickly engage youth, which we saw very clearly in 2020 with the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement following the George Floyd video. Youth are more outspoken; they want to have that leadership role and speak truth to power.

Q: How does the current political climate impact OWTA’s work and/or donors? Does it have an impact on your personal approach to the work?

A: It does to a certain extent. I’m not too worried about the volatility of donors from an institutional level. We’re connected with foundations and grantees who share a similar ethos as OWTA. However, from an individual level, the political climate is more relevant. OWTA is very vocal about equal rights, DEI initiatives – we have seen donors who have stopped giving or stopped attending events. And that’s okay! We want to attract supporters who share our vision.

Q: What is your view on how to reach communities who are traditionally underrepresented in the philanthropic field?

A: It comes down to an imbalance in employment. It is rare to see marginalized communities properly represented in leadership roles. If we don’t have people in the C-suites of large companies controlling the budget decisions who represent these communities, there is always going to be a gap. It’s helpful to have members of these communities in other roles in the company volunteering their time and influencing from the bottom up, but it’s not enough.

Q: You mentioned Gen Z and the impact of social media. However, these platforms can also be a space for aggressive or hostile behavior from some users. How do you respond to that reality?

A: I know I mentioned the importance of social media in inspiring Gen Z earlier, but you also need to know when to avoid it or take a break. I don’t engage with keyboard warriors. They don’t know me or my organization or what we stand for; they just want to put out an image to the world without engaging on a human level. I don’t find it helpful or healthy to engage with that kind of negativity. I ignore, delete, and move on. You are never going to be liked by everyone and I prefer to turn my focus inwards. I prefer to focus on and spread positivity.

Q: Where do you see the future of philanthropy in the next 3-5 years?

A: We’re already seeing some structural changes. A big one that impacts OWTA is the laws changing to allow private foundations to donate to smaller not-for-profit organizations that may not have a CRA number. This will allow much more funding available for grassroots organizations. These smaller groups are often founded by or serving marginalized communities and it’s harder for these groups to access larger funding when blocked by certain bureaucratic rules. It’s important to open up these sources of fundraising, while maintaining the oversight. 

Q: What’s your favourite part about your job?

A: Being able to mentor people. I would encourage anyone who starts to build an expertise to find someone to mentor. I love being able to share the knowledge I’ve gained and pass it on. I especially love helping other female entrepreneurs and leaders. I’m a big proponent of sharing the wealth. There is room for everyone; I don’t see other organizations as direct competition. We can all grow together.

Q: What piece of advice would you give to someone who is new to philanthropy?

A: There is no idea that it is too small to start from. People thought I was crazy when I wanted to start OWTA. They could not understand why I would leave a stable, paying job to go to a field that quite literally says “no profit” in its name. They questioned why I wouldn’t want to just climb the corporate ladder. So, I tell anyone with an idea to just run with it. If I had listened to the people telling me not to, I wouldn’t be celebrating 16 years. Continue to dream the biggest dreams.

In summary, Akilah Newton reminds us that authentic commitment can transform ideas into lasting movements. Her journey, and her organization, inspire us to create impact, to dream, and to never underestimate the power of community-driven change around us. By focusing on arts, inclusion, and youth, OWTA is working hard to pave the way for a more equitable and accessible philanthropic future for all.