211. Good Humans of 2021 - Sue Ann Arnall
This episode is part of our special Good Humans series chronicling incredible conversations with some of the most inspiring people. Learn more about Good Humans here.
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Overview
Meet Sue Ann. She's a mother, writer, philanthropist, humanitarian, justice warrior, and member of the Giving Pledge. Spending just a few minutes in Sue Ann's wake makes one acutely aware that she's always looking out for the little guy. The Arnall Family Foundation focuses on child welfare, animal welfare, and criminal justice reform, while Sue Ann focuses her personal passion on solutions that lower the incarceration rate and racial disparity among African American men in U.S. jails and prisons. Her class, warmth, grace, and compassion blew us away. Pretty proud to say this is a friend who represents the best of home. Thank you Sue Ann🙏
Today’s Guest
Sue Ann Arnall, Mother, Writer, Philanthropist, Humanitarian, Member of the Giving Pledge, President of Arnall Family Foundation
“We look for the needs, and we intend to change it. That’s why I’m putting a lot of money into this area, because I want to change it. I don’t want my money to last forever. I want to spend it now and change this. And I intend to.”
Episode Transcript
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Episode highlights
Sue Ann’s story and journey to where she is today (2:30)
Sue Ann’s dreams when she was growing up (4:00)
An overview of the Arnall Family Foundation (6:00)
The Giving Pledge (18:00)
Sue Ann’s favorite initiative she has funded: Diversion Hub (26:00)
The biggest misstep nonprofit professionals make when working with major gifts donors (30:00)
Who inspires Sue Ann (31:00)
What Sue Ann would say to her younger self: Don't be afraid to explore new things. Don't let fear guide where you go. (32:00)
Rapid fire questions (33:00)
Sue Ann’s One Good Thing: The best path is not always downhill. Sometimes you have to do the hard thing. (35:00)
Powerful quotes
“She is a mother. She is a writer. She is a generously warm human. And she always sees the little guy, and she works quietly and humbly in the background to make life more equitable and fulfilling for those around her and she is a Titan and a force for good.” -Becky
“I really wanted to be a criminal defense attorney. That was my dream to be in the courtroom and trying to write wrongs.” -Sue Ann
“At one point, we have the highest number of kids in foster care. We have the highest number of people in prison or incarcerated. There's got to be a connection. So start looking at that and there absolutely was it connection.” -Sue Ann
“We've put so many monetary burdens on people to get through the system. And that's why 85% of the people in our Oklahoma County Jail, they're under a federal poverty guidelines. They're indigent, they can't afford the bond. They can't afford an attorney, they can't afford the service fees. They can't afford everything stacked up on them. So they end up in prison forever. And their kids end up in state care. And that's the cycle that I'm looking at even still in federal stats on crimes.” -Sue Ann
“So the police and the judges get to choose what they enforce. And when they say I can't go by that crime and not arrest them. Yeah, they do. They do every day. They go by all these crimes, they just don't choose to arrest. They pick and choose who they arrest, and what they arrest for. And it's reinforced by our district attorneys, by our judges also and by the public.” -Sue Ann
“The more you dig, the more you find, and the more you keep uncovering, and the layers of it are systemic and the way that they are.” -Becky
“Without knowing what's happening at the grassroots, you really can't make a change, I didn't feel like I could make a change.” -Sue Ann
“We look for the needs, and we're not going to be in that space forever. We intend to change it. That's why I'm putting a lot of money into this area, because I want to change it. I don't want to drag it out. I don't want my money to last forever. I want to spend it now and change this. And I intend to.” -Sue Ann
“The Giving Pledge helped me figure all this out. I've sat next to Warren Buffett twice for dinner. And I've had incredible conversations.” -Sue Ann
“We also incarcerate the most African Americans per capita in the country. In the country, 25% of young men born after 1990, will have been incarcerated at some point in their lives, in Oklahoma, 50%. That is a huge driver for us.” -Sue Ann
“I've said for quite a while that a young black kid, if he has a fear of police, it's not irrational. It's a very rational fear. And I'd like to help so that it's not a fear.” -Sue Ann
“I'm picturing these mothers in the angst they must have, and the anxiety they must have. And to know that they have a partner, like you that is willing to force these very hard conversations.” -Becky
“I found out that a lot of people are failing in their probation because of the inability to get the services and ability to pay fines and fees, they pay one place not know that they could still get a warrant for another place anyway, they said it's everything was brought together at one stop shop for people in the justice system that would so help them.” -Sue Ann
“Not understanding our parameters, and not reading about them and asking before they ask for a gift, and not helping us get to know them when they ask for a gift in our first encounter, that's rough. It's really hard for me to say no.” -Sue Ann
“If I help everybody, I'll help nobody.” -Sue Ann
“I've taken a whole lot of advice from George Kaiser. He's been very kind and very helpful. In fact, he's the one who asked me on to the giving pledge. And he has given me a lot of advice for how to structure it.” -Sue Ann
“The best path is not always downhill. Sometimes you have to do the hard thing.” -Sue Ann
Connect with Sue Ann Arnall
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