From Gatekeeping to Gardening: How Co-Conspirators Grow What the World Needs Now

December 1, 2:00 pm ET

What if philanthropy wasn’t the gatekeeper of innovation, but the soil from which liberatory models could grow? This session introduces participants to the Co-Conspirator Framework, a paradigm-shifting approach used by the Freedom Dreams Lab and Black Wildflowers Fund to disrupt harmful dynamics between funders and education leaders—particularly those from historically excluded communities. Instead of centering compliance, this framework invites funders, intermediaries, and coaches to step into deep partnership, shared visioning, and the redistribution of power.

This event is open to 2025 conference registrants and Grantmakers for Education members.

There is no cost to attend this Grantmakers for Education program. Registration closes 15 minutes prior to the program time. Thank you for your patience; we review each registration in advance.

About the Speakers

Maia Blankenship
Co-CEO
Black Wildflowers Fund

Maia A. Blankenship is an accomplished education entrepreneur leading Wildflower’s Charter Pathways growth and serving as the Co-CEO of Black Wildflowers Fund. Maia galvanized a board and founding group of education advocates to obtain charter approval and launched DC Wildflower Public Charter School in 2021. This unique charter model will grow to serve over 200 students through intentionally small liberatory Montessori microschools. Maia is also an advisor and connector to organizations actively working to dismantle systemic racism and oppression, including serving as Co-Chair of The Equity Lab. In 2020, she was recognized in the inaugural cohort of Black Voices for Black Justice Fund. In 2023 she was named as an NBCDI Public Voices Fellow for Racial Justice in Early Childhood Education with the OpEd project. She is a Ward 5 D.C. resident and the proud mother of an independent and adventurous eight year old who inspires her daily.

Lyric Flood
Founder
Freedom Dreams Lab

Lyric is a Black educator, artist, and creative co-conspirator who uses narrative design, experience curation, and soulful strategy to build worlds and seed possible futures. With over 15 years in education and the social impact sector, his work lives at the intersection of healing, sustainability, and systems change for young people, educators and families. He is a co-founder of the Freedom Dreams Foundation and the founder of the Freedom Dreams Lab.