Demitrius Burnett

Why do you do what you do?

As a minister, and in the work that I do, I’m looking to set people free. To me, freedom is the opportunity to pursue your purpose and pursue becoming your whole self. This often translates into working to remove the mental, physical, economic, spiritual and societal barriers that disproportionately infringe upon the right to freedom for my community as a Black man and for people of color.

What drew you to the foundation?

Prior to coming here, I had admired the foundation for its holistic approach to equity and community transformation. I also attended a foundation event where I saw Fred Blackwell on stage wearing a suit with white Air Force Ones — it was a bold statement of Blackness for a CEO and one that strengthened my desire to be a part of this organization someday.

How would you describe your role?

One of my primary responsibilities is relationship building, which helps me understand all the ways we can support organizations and how we can help improve the lives of the most impacted communities. I also help facilitate opportunities for nonprofits to work more collaboratively through strategies focused on areas such as anti-displacement and homelessness prevention.

Are you involved in any volunteer activities?

I’m a founding board member for the Interfaith Council of Alameda County, a young adult cabinet member for the California State Baptist Convention and a spoken word artist, performing throughout the region.