Q&A: Ford Foundation's leader straddles contrasting worlds

Darren Walker often mentions growing up in poverty as a gay, Black man in rural Texas

Darren Walker has experienced two sides of life — one of poverty, one of wealth. He has often mentioned that growing up in poverty as a gay Black man in rural Texas has given him a unique perspective on his work as president of the Ford Foundation. Since assuming the leadership of America's second-largest private foundation in 2013, Walker has steered the organization to tackle inequality — in all its forms. On Wednesday, the foundation is announcing that it will spend $420 million over the next five years to advance global gender equality and combat gender-based issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, including violence against women. The funding, announced at the United Nations Women’s Generation Equality Forum in Paris, will also support groups that are working to strengthen workplace equality and build feminist movements.