Trabian Shorters

We have witnessed several decades of unprecedented economic prosperity and expansion. The social sector was an important part of this seemingly endless expansion of capital and causes. All of this optimism has ground to a halt in the last few weeks, and not, of course, just for the social sector, but for all sectors during these scary times. And, there were signs that some of the shine was beginning to come off of the social entrepreneurial wagon.

Late in September, Trabian Shorters, an experienced social entrepreneur and funder at Ashoka, wrote this impassioned plea to young people with Kiva and DonorsChoose fantasies:

"Social change is NOT a field. It is a calling - a profession in the original meaning of the word. You may be called by your faith, your conscience, your ancestors, or your circumstances but the optimistic belief and integrity of a zealous changemaker (by whatever label) is vital to human progress. That makes it sacred." Read more »