Promoting the foundational truth that every person is a unique individual united by our shared humanity.
There are times when we have fallen short. But together, we have made immense progress. In the seven decades since Brown v. Board of Education ushered in the start of the civil rights movement, our country has become more diverse and, in many ways, more accepting.
And yet, in this age of unprecedented advancement, it can feel like we are heading in the wrong direction. Dehumanization of those in “the other tribe” has become normalized. On social media, the marketplace of ideas has been replaced by the echo chamber of ideology. Small differences are amplified. Racist and reductionist ideas proliferate.
The defining question of our time is: How do we break through the demonization and division, and find the courage to move forward together?
We believe that embracing the foundational truth, that every person is a unique individual united by our shared humanity, is what will allow us to continue to advance.
“While many programs and platforms have been created reactively to address discrimination and racial, religious, gender and political polarization, there has been no uniform standard and some have worked better than others. As a result, some well-intentioned efforts have been ineffective or even harmful.
The Prohuman Foundation is not a reactive organization. It is a proactive organization with a long vision on the future. We design curriculum and programs, built around preventive measures to mitigate those issues to which other platforms only react.
Seventy years ago, at start of the civil rights movement, America prided itself on being a melting pot of cultures during a time when honest diversity barely existed.
Today we have made immense progress, and are truly a melting pot with increasingly global diversity—which some do not embrace, or find difficult to navigate.
The Prohuman Foundation is needed today as a stable partner, guaranteeing every person is treated as a unique individual, and assured a sense of belonging based on our shared humanity.”
Chicago native Daryl Davis graduated from Howard University with a degree in Jazz. As a pianist, vocalist and guitarist, he has played all over the world with legends like Chuck Barry and Little Richard.
But it's what Daryl does in his free time that sets him apart. To find the answer to his question, "How can you hate me when you don't even know me?" Daryl meets and builds relationships with members of the Ku Klux Klan.
We recognize the vital role of educators, and plan to support them with grant opportunities released throughout the year.
In conjunction with the Listen First Coalition’s National Week of Conversation, we are offering grants of up to $500 for K-12 educators seeking support for mission-aligned educational initiatives focused on civic and bridge-building activities.
The goals of the Prohuman Educator Grant program are to:
The application window is now closed. Check back soon for new grant funding opportunities.
We are developing educational resources and curriculum based on our core values to support educators who want to bring the Prohuman approach into their classrooms.
We also offer training programs and workshops, featuring Daryl Davis and facilitators experienced with the Prohuman approach, that strive to empower individuals and unify communities everywhere.
Our educational resources and training programs are:
Prohuman training programs are available now.
Planned release date for Prohuman K-12 curriculum is Fall 2024
We are offering a limited number of individuals the opportunity to join our Ambassador network, and learn about the Prohuman approach with our co-founder and Global Ambassador Daryl Davis and other members of our team.
Candidates for the Ambassador program will become part of a global network, and are invited to engage with Daryl and other mission-aligned individuals and advisors. They will be given the tools and support required to bring the Prohuman approach into their own workplaces, institutions, and communities.
Prohuman Ambassadors will:
Applications will open Spring 2024
Daryl Davis is best known for his talent as a musician; he is an international recording artist and is recognized for being one of the greatest Blues, Boogie Woogie & Rock ’n’ Roll pianists of all time.
In addition to his music career, Daryl is the author of Klan-Destine Relationships, which was the first book written about the Ku Klux Klan by a Black author. His engagement with the KKK started when, while playing in an all-White band, when a member of the Klan praised him for his musical style. Daryl recognized that he had an opportunity to ask an important question about racism: “How can you hate me when you don’t even know me?” Daryl has interviewed hundreds of KKK members and other White supremacists and influenced many of them to renounce their racist ideology.
His work in race relations has been highlighted in speaker series across the country. His documentary film, Accidental Courtesy, illustrates his process of conversation and understanding to bridge differences and promote racial reconciliation in true pro-human form. about racism: “how can you hate me when you don’t even know me?” Daryl has interviewed dozens of Klan members and influenced many of them to renounce the Klan. HIs work about race has been highlighted in speaker series across the country. His film, Accidental Courtesy, illustrates his process of conversation and understanding to bridge differences and promote racial reconciliation.
Bion Bartning is an entrepreneur and investor, and is also the founder of FAIR, the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism.
Previously, Bion co-founded and led the launch of eos Products, a personal care brand best known today for its iconic egg-shaped lip balm, while serving as an equity partner and Chief Operating Officer of The Kind Group, a privately held company dedicated to the development and expansion of brands.
Bion was also part of American Express’ Strategic Planning Group, where he conceived of and patented a new multi-channel system for booking travel and led the launch of a new consumer online travel business as Director, New Product Development, partnering with a major online travel agency.
Bion earned his MBA from Columbia Business School, and graduated magna cum laude with a degree in economics and environmental studies from Occidental College. He lives in Miami with his wife and two young children.
Letitia Kim is an attorney licensed in California and New York. She served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Civil Division of the Northern District of California, where she litigated cases under the Civil Rights Act and other federal statutes. She also practiced at Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal (now Dentons), focusing almost exclusively on federal litigation and appellate practice. Most recently, Letitia was the legal director at a nonprofit organization advocating for civil rights and liberties in schools and other institutions.
Letitia is an honors graduate of Cornell University, where she received her degree in Philosophy, and the University of Michigan Law School. Her passions are reading, physical fitness, traveling, and being a mother to her two children and four pets. She lives in San Francisco.
Lory Warren brings a range of professional experience to her role as Executive Director at the Prohuman Foundation. She has an extensive background in healthcare, including nursing, hospital administration, network development, and school health services. In the nonprofit sector, Lory has experience in volunteer recruitment and management and most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer at an organization that supported educational initiatives and civil rights. Her most important job is being a wife and mom.
A cum laude graduate of Vanderbilt University, Lory holds a bachelor’s degree in Human and Organizational Development and a master’s degree in Nursing. She lives in Minnesota with her family and enjoys running, kayaking, skiing, snowshoeing, and anything outdoors.
Stephanie Cooper has a diverse professional background which has contributed to her role as Program Manager at the Prohuman Foundation. Before working in the nonprofit sector, she worked in the coal mining industry for twelve years where her roles included training employees, internal auditing, marketing, and internal/external communications.
She also has worked as an office manager for a real estate investment company and a water supply company. In the nonprofit sector, Stephanie has experience in office administration, accounting, and operations.
Stephanie received her Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations from West Virginia University and has a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Waynesburg University.
Stephanie lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and
two children. In her free time, she enjoys exercising, coaching at her daughter's gymnastics center, watching her son play baseball, and traveling with her family.
Adam aspires to join those working to elevate humanity's 'better angels' in pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty. He's grateful for the opportunity to do that with the Prohuman Foundation.
Adam earned his B.A. in Psychology; Neuroscience at Colby College, focusing on personality psychology. He lives with his wife and daughter in Vietnam and remains inclined to return someday to Maine, where he was raised, to better cherish and perpetuate his civic inheritance. Also, to resume skiing.
Adam began his sojourn abroad while administering an educational exchange program between Shanghai and Washington, D.C. Ever since, he’s been inspired by the power of education to help people, across distant cultures, lead happier, more connected, and more purposeful, productive lives.
He believes in Frederick Douglass’s poetic observation that “[Education] means [uplifting] the soul of man into the glorious light of truth, the light only by which men can be free."
