Ideas at Ford

A conversation series that dives into complex social justice issues of our time

Hosted at the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice by New York Times columnist Charles M. Blow, Ideas at Ford features dynamic conversations on topical issues connected to the Foundation’s central mission to fight inequality. Speakers include industry experts, policymakers, social justice leaders, key commentators, and authors with bold visions for the future.

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CHARLES BLOW: Welcome to “Ideas at Ford with Charles Blow,” where we bring together some of the world’s best and most innovative thinkers. 

[A montage featuring moments of Charles Blow in conversation with guests on stage.] 

BILLIE JEAN KING: I always want each generation: to not just think about yourself, but to think about the groundwork you are laying for the next generations. 

CHARLES BLOW: And should we be thinking about the heartland differently?  

GABE BROWN: Let’s come together and find common ground for common good. 

KEVIN BACON: The antidote for despair is always activism. 

CHARLES BLOW: Can you share with this audience how you became so interested in this particular issue? 

MATT DAMON: I realized had someone not had the foresight to sink this borewell within walking distance, this girl would not be in school. 

VEDIKA BHANDARKAR: That’s the power of water. 

JOYELLE NICOLE JOHNSON: I think you just have to make it as personal as possible. 

STEPHANIE “SPARKLE” EDWARDS: We need to believe young girls and women. 

JES TOM: As a comedian, I feel very strongly about, like, the gathering of real people in real life. 

DR. ABDUL EL-SAYED: You and I found each other and we got to have this amazing experience.

CHARLES BLOW: When we come together, sharing our unique perspectives, we can spark inspiration, motivation, and change.

Names of featured guests:
Billie Jean King & Clara Wu Tsai 

Kevin Bacon & Gabe Brown

Matt Damon, Vedika Bhandarkar, & Kiki Tazkiyah

Stephanie “Sparkle” Edwards & Aishah Shahidah Simmons

Dr. Abdul El-Sayed & Jes Tom

Roy Wood Jr. & Joyelle Nicole Johnson

[Ideas at Ford with Charles Blow. For more information visit: fordoundation.org/IdeasAtFord]

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  • All videos produced by the Ford Foundation since 2020 include captions and downloadable transcripts. For videos where visuals require additional understanding, we offer audio-described versions.
  • We are continuing to make videos produced prior to 2020 accessible.
  • Videos from third-party sources (those not produced by the Ford Foundation) may not have captions, accessible transcripts, or audio descriptions.
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Past guests include Billie Jean King & Clara Wu Tsai, Kevin Bacon & Gabe Brown, Matt Damon, Vedika Bhandarkar, & Kiki Tazkiya, Stephanie “Sparkle” Edwards & Aishah Shahidah Simmons, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed & Jes Tom, Roy Wood Jr. & Joyelle Nicole Johnson

Three people are sitting in conversation against a blue curtain background. From left to right, they are Charles Blow in a dark suit and tie, Roy Wood Jr. in a grey suit and sneakers, and Joyelle Nicole Johnson in a bright pink suit.

Comedy for Culture: Turning Laughter Into Action featuring Roy Wood, Jr. and Joyelle Nicole Johnson

Comedy can be a unifying force and a source of joy. But it can also be a vehicle for driving social change. We sit down with some of the leading comedic voices of our time to unpack their approach to utilizing comedy to spur action on social justice issues.

Three people are sitting in conversation against a blue curtain background. From left to right, they are Charles Blow in a blue suit, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, who has a beard and wears a dark suit with a white collar shirt, and Jes Tom, who has short hair and wears a brown shirt.

The Epidemic of Loneliness featuring Dr. Abdul El-Sayed and Jes Tom

Even before COVID-19, about half of U.S. adults reported experiencing loneliness. In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General released a report on the epidemic of loneliness, which has far-reaching consequences for our well-being, requiring urgent interventions. How can we work individually and as a society to combat the epidemic of loneliness?

Three people are sitting in conversation against a blue curtain background: from left to right they are Charles Blow in a dark suit and tie, Stephanie “Sparkle” Edwards, in a black blazer and beige top and slacks and Aishah Shahidah Simmons in a patterned jacket, black top and slacks and a maroon scarf.

The Courage Fund featuring Stephanie “Sparkle” Edwards and Aishah Shahidah Simmons

In this “Ideas at Ford” conversation, The Courage Fund’s inaugural awardees, Stephanie “Sparkle” Edwards and Aishah Shahidah Simmons, join host Charles Blow to discuss standing up in the face of adversity for the benefit of women and girls everywhere.

Four individuals, two men and two women, dressed in business casual and formal attire, are sitting in conversation against a blue curtain background. The women are smiling; one wears a hijab. The men are also smiling, both in suits and ties. From left to right, they are Charles Blow, Matt Damon, Vedika Bhandarkar, and Kiki Tazkiyah.

The Worth of Water featuring Matt Damon, Vedika Bhandarkar, and Kiki Tazkiyah

Host Charles Blow speaks withWater.Org and WaterEquity cofounder Matt Damon and Water.Org’s Vedika Bhandarkar and Kiki Tazkiyah, about why access to safe water and sanitation is one of the most pressing human rights issues today.

Three men are sitting in coversation in against a blue curtain background. The group includes Charles Blow, from left to right, in a dark suit and tie. The middle man, Kevin Bacon, wears glasses and a beige jacket over a dark shirt. The man on the right, Gabe Brown, wears a blue cap and a striped polo shirt.

The Heartland: Elevating Voices in Local Communities featuring Kevin Bacon and Gabe Brown

Communities across America, especially in rural areas, have increasingly seen less money and more problems. With access to broadband, quality medical care, and good jobs dwindling, the heartland of America urgently needs attention. Who are the changemakers in these areas and what are the opportunities we can’t afford to miss?

Three people are sitting in conversation against a blue curtain background. The group includes, from left to right, Charles Blow in a dark suit, Billie Jean King in black with a blue blazer, and Clara Wu Tsai in a beige white and trousers.

Equity in Women’s Sports featuring Billie Jean King and Clara Wu Tsai

We’re witnessing the highest ratings in recent history for Women’s basketball, soccer, tennis, and more. But, conversations about equity and pay still need more attention. How can both athletes and fans work to ensure an equitable future for women’s sports?