Who Owes What? Lessons from Palm Springs on the Path to Reparations in Southern California

Millions of Southern California residents—including philanthropic leaders, grantmakers, and foundation trustees—visit Palm Springs every year. Few know the full story of the Black and Brown families who helped build the modern resort city, only to be forcibly removed and displaced from its center. Today, Palm Springs stands at the forefront of a historic reparations settlement, prompting a pressing question for the region: Who owes what on the road to reparation, and what does meaningful reparative action require?

In this interactive session, styled as a Great Debate, panelists will explore the shared responsibility of government, business, philanthropy, and civil society in advancing reparations—not just in Palm Springs, but across Southern California. Multiple perspectives, frameworks, and approaches to funding reparations and sustaining a culture of repair will be put on the table, with the audience playing an active role in shaping the conversation, asking questions, and casting final votes. This session promises to be both eye-opening and inspiring, offering concrete lessons from Palm Springs for those committed to truth, justice, and repair.

Who Owes What? Lessons from Palm Springs on the Path to Reparations in Southern California has been selected as a session at the Southern California Grantmakers 2025 conference, Acts of Courage.  Attendance is limited to registered attendees of the conference.  Register Here