Jennifer Lentfer Profile picture
(Re)sister of ahistorical or apolitical social change efforts. Coach, communications strategist, and poet. #globaldev #grassroots #philanthropy
Dec 4, 2020 8 tweets 5 min read
In my communications consulting work, I advise #globaldev organizations to no longer view communications as an “add-on” service department, first beholden to the #fundraising function of an organization. /1 At this point in history, communications departments can and must be developing narrative change strategies that support the vision of the world they and their partners are building. #DevComms /2
Dec 4, 2020 4 tweets 2 min read
Individual actions within complex systems are key to dismantling hierarchical institutions’ ties to oppressive systems.

Internal champions for change within often feel isolated & without support, yet they hold an key role in fundamental changes to #globaldev ways of working. /1 Opportunities for building so-called “soft” collaborative skills remain largely unavailable to many "champions" in their professional workplaces. Find peers, comradeship, and belonging that will enable you to take more “risks” within your organization: healingsolidarity.org /2
Jun 6, 2020 8 tweets 10 min read
Just doing a little late night perusing of INGO's statements of solidarity with the Black community from this week... #DevCommsNerd

While some mentioned how important diversity was, NOT ONE mentioned starting where they are and changing their own governance and leadership. /1 Not the biggies like @WorldVisionUSA, @CARE, @CatholicRelief, @SavetheChildren. Not the "cool" ones like @charitywater or @PIH or @Heifer or @Ashoka or @OxfamAmerica. Not the humanitarian ones like @mercycorps or @RESCUEorg or @MSF_USA. Not @PlanUSA. Not @PactWorld. Not @fhi360.
May 28, 2020 15 tweets 8 min read
"The @WFP spokesperson told @Devex “...Some people find it inspirational & it motivates them to become committed supporters to the organisation.”

Bullshit. Donors do not find it inspirational. Their guilt, pity & shame are used like cash machines. devex.com/news/world-foo… /1 Must we say it about #povertyporn yet again?

Yes we must:

Charitable portrayals of “helping” often conjure up victimhood and passivity in order to validate the assistance being given. #devcomms #comms4dev #comms4good #fundraising /2
Feb 28, 2019 6 tweets 4 min read
People in rich countries don’t often hear stories about organized people improving their communities in the Global South or strong organizations pushing their governments to change policies that hurt poor people. #DevComms #aid #globaldev #NGOs /1 Rather, the aid system is built on an assumption that outside experts have the knowledge, skills, and resources that are lacking in poor countries and communities. /2