David Brotherton (he/him)

communications strategist, philanthropy advisor, GVP advocate, book reader, movie watcher, music lover, golf player, food eater, dog lover, georgia native

[David Brotherton (he/him) @brostrat]

It was a huge honor to be an exec producer for this new @kendedafund podcast. Tune in for a highly listenable, intimate look at the philanthropic legacy of the remarkable Diana Blank. Great stuff for anyone interested in #philanthropy or making the world a better place.

[David Brotherton (he/him) @brostrat]

@BryanLlenas So I wonder if @realDonaldTrump's advance team is aware that this version of Hallelujah is performed (beautifully) by Rufus Wainwright, the proudly queer sometimes cross dressing progressive who immediately called the use of his song by Trump "the height of blasphemy."

[TIME @TIME]

The stress and trauma that gun violence outreach workers experience is invisible to most Americans, writes Talia Wright
https://t.co/S0baeAchLJ

[TIME @TIME]

In the film "Sol in the Garden," Débora Souza Silva and Emily Cohen Ibañez trace the historical connections between growing food and freedom, and give insight into what it takes for someone to find forgiveness https://t.co/RBu0tfTvQk

[David Brotherton (he/him) @brostrat]

Thanks @epbro & @kirkbrown of @letshearitcast for a fun conversation wherein @denajkimball and I share highlights & insights from the @kendedafund's 30yr $1B+ spend-out journey. Lots of lessons for #philanthropy leaders & communication professionals alike. https://t.co/1fdwkREJhk

[David Brotherton (he/him) @brostrat]

I'm so proud to have played a small part in the philanthropic work the @kendedafund has done over 30 years. This piece from @CEPData details a few key lessons learned along that giving journey. H/T to @denajkimball for remarkable leadership throughout. https://t.co/5gmbzPKMac

[David Brotherton (he/him) @brostrat]

@drvolts Matt Lauer?

[David Brotherton (he/him) @brostrat]

Oh really??? Quite a statement today from the paper of record in Augusta. @AUG_Chronicle @USATODAY @TheMasters @chambleebrandel

[David Brotherton (he/him) @brostrat]

Excited for the matches to start. Amazing that #Boise is represented on this year's team by @schuerta. First Idahoan ever to earn a World Cup cap! @FIFAWWC @FWWC2023 #USA 🇺🇸⚽️ https://t.co/LIw56eb21K

[David Brotherton (he/him) @brostrat]

Smart perspective from @TMWRivera of @FundSaferFuture. And a name check to @MargaretRenkl. @JoyceFdn @kendedafund @LangelothFndn @RootsWingsFdn @InsidePhilanthr https://t.co/kk9Y500pUE

[The Joyce Foundation @JoyceFdn]

Investment in gun violence prevention strategies are working—new @AdCouncil research shows how to build on that momentum, writes Gun Violence Prevention & Justice Reform Program Director @tpdaly in today’s @pndblog. #GunViolencePrevention

https://t.co/40wkD05JVk

[Brandel Chamblee @chambleebrandel]

The farrago of whataboutisms that inevitably accompanies any discussion on sportswashing, attempts, in answering a condemnation with an accusation, to impugn the credibility of the accuser and to distract from having to deal with the complexities of the question. Much like sportswashing, its sole goal is to obfuscate. Of course it is usually accompanied by an ad hominem attack most notably by calling someone a hypocrite or most recently as directed at me, a paid actor to recite my lines.

The accusation that I am just a proxy for the opinion of my employer is a curious one to me, and while the natural back and forth with colleagues certainly informs my opinion, no one for whom I work with or for has ever tried to influence what I am going to say. I’d like to think that they trust whatever opinion I have, whether it agrees with their’s or not, I’ve done the research to back it up. Which is more than I can say for those who suggest that because there is evil everywhere, all evil is relativized and unless all of it can be addressed at the same time and in the same way, it should all be ignored.

Especially, as in the case of the person who called me a paid actor, if they can somehow profit from the evil. This is where the debate crashes headfirst into the nexus of politics, sports and narcissistic greed. Where those who want to escape it most often cloy at whataboutisms, to stop the discussion with a pejorative accusation because they don’t want their motives to be discovered.

And we must impute motives to see the evils clearly.

To raise the question whether LIV has been good for the PGA Tour is to miss the very human and most important point of the whole issue of sportswashing. It is bad for the people who continue to be oppressed by the man who funds LIV Golf. And as I have said many times, like the pollution that hangs over our biggest cities, its darkness is better seen from a distance and its stench is too easily dismissed as the smell of commerce. It poisons and dulls our sensibilities making it easy to forget that many a bad movement owes its greater success to the apathy of conformism.

So while Brooks Koepka’s win at the PGA Championship was impressive, it should not distract us from the simple fact that LIV players are being used for the benefit of some very bad people and to the detriment of a great many more good people. That LIV Golf, with its inability to develop stars and seeking to buy them like high performance cars, is undermining the dignity intrinsic in golf.

Dignity that was most profound in watching the play of Michael Block, the club professional who stole the show at the PGA Championship with his gratitude and joy and of course with his incredibly sharp game. He was a stark reminder of what is missing in LIV Golf and even what will be missing in the PGA Tour’s no cut, small field, designated events next year.

Because golf has always been and hopefully will always be, more about hope than heroes.

[David Brotherton (he/him) @brostrat]

I'm thrilled that 20 states understand how temporary removal of deadly weapons from those at risk of harming themself or others can saves lives. The only question: Why is it taking the other 30 states so long to follow suit? https://t.co/KTGKkAFUpD

[David Brotherton (he/him) @brostrat]

We weren’t sure what to do with this odd little sweater that came with out last bottle of @TitosVodka. Then it dawned on us!!! Boozy @Barbie

[David Brotherton (he/him) @brostrat]

Turns out mass delusion, paranoia and group think have been around a long time. https://t.co/Z5VjaRjQ7I

[David Brotherton (he/him) @brostrat]

Where will the lunacy end? C’mon Wisconsin. Really??? https://t.co/eqONJ6CqQW

[Sam Ghali, M.D. @EM_RESUS]

Here’s the Chest X-Ray of a young girl suffering from a condition that is now the #1 cause of death in children and adolescents in the U.S.

What’s the diagnosis?

[David Brotherton (he/him) @brostrat]

Proud to support the work of @RootsWingsFdn featured in the latest issue of @madison_mag. A new foundation with a grantee centered approach to change. Responsive, thoughtful, focused, and growing quickly. #DaneCounty #MadisonWi #Philanthropy

[Madison Magazine @madison_mag]

A foundation you’ve likely never heard of is using a trust-based philanthropy approach to quietly give away millions of dollars to local nonprofits. Where is the money coming from? That might surprise you, too. https://t.co/YTStPsLEuA

[David Brotherton (he/him) @brostrat]

When will this madness end?

[Gavin Newsom @GavinNewsom]

Tennessee has the 8th highest murder rate in the nation.

It ranks 44th among states for health outcomes.

And this is what the Governor is focused on.