Founded in 1998, the nonprofit was known for its “Extraordinary Witness” Lecture Series. The annual event inspired thousands of Idahoans and brought notable advocates in peace and social justice to Boise, like United Farm Workers Union co-founder Dolores Huerta and Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel. 

For the last 14 years, the Kessler Keener Foundation has focused on centering and uplifting the voices and experiences of Indigenous people in Idaho, especially Indigenous youth. Projects include Bridging New Pathways conferences and hosting Mentor Artist Playwright Project, a play writing workshop for youth who attend TRIO Upward Bound at Boise State. Our most recent projects are our books clubs, focused on reading stories and knowledge from black and brown authors, The Little Libraries for Social Justice, a traveling lending library, and writing and filming Native Voices in Idaho, an educational program designed to assist teachers and educators in integrating Native-centered content.

As an organization we are always learning and we strive to share this learning with our community, keeping our focus on respect and inclusion. Today, our work is led by a diverse group of community leaders and educators and supported by volunteers passionate about our mission.

Who were Harry Kessler and Margaret Keener?

Harry Kessler (1877-1958)

“A Veteran Boise attorney and long-time temperance leader.”

Harry Kessler was an Idaho attorney known for his legal counsel to those in need. He was an instrumental figure for prohibition. Through his strong witness to his faith, Harry never compromised on any issue where he felt right and truth was involved.

Margaret Keener (1907-1993)

“A voice for social conscience. An activist for peace and justice.”

Inspired by her father Harry, Margaret Keener was a voice for social conscience for decades. She passionately supported women, education, the environment, and human rights. Her career as a high school English teacher was balanced with active involvement in many social justice organizations. Margaret was also the second woman Elder at Boise's First Presbyterian Church.

To honor Harry and Margaret's legacy, this nonprofit was created over 25 years ago.

Milestones and Evolution 

• 1998: Ed Keener, his siblings Dorothy and Gerry, their father Keith, and Pastor Mark Davis of Boise First Presbyterian Church created Kessler-Keener Lectures as a nonprofit, non-denominational organization to honor the legacy of human rights work of Ed’s mother, Margaret Keener (1907-1993) and grandfather, Harry Kessler (1877-1958).

• 1999: Kessler-Keener Lectures hosted its 1st annual “Extraordinary Witness” Lecture Series with the aim of promoting human rights, peace, and justice.

• 2003: Brenda Hammond, the “soul” of the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force, received the Idaho Extraordinary Witness Award.

• 2004: Maria Gonzalez Mabbutt, Hispanic community organizer, and Theron McGriff, LGTBQ+ advocate, received Idaho Extraordinary Witness Awards.

• 2005: John Michael Purce, who dedicated his career to social services and social justice, received Idaho Extraordinary Witness Award. 

• 2006: Henry Krewer, founder and previous director of Interfaith Sanctuary, received the Idaho Extraordinary Witness Award.

• 2008: The Benedictine Sisters of the Monastery of St. Gertrude in Cottonwood, ID, were recipients of the Idaho Extraordinary Witness Award. 

• 2009: Inspiring and educating thousands of Idahoans to date, the Kessler-Keener Lectures hosted its 10th annual “Extraordinary Witness” Lecture Series. Each event attracted audiences as large as 2,000 people and featured speakers such as Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Elie Wiesel, United Farm Workers Union Co-founder Delores Huerta, Southern Poverty Law Center Director Morris Dees, and many others.

• 2009: Kessler-Keener Lectures made a long-term commitment to building cross-cultural friendship, understanding, and respect in the Boise Valley through educational and experiential opportunities and dialogue. Recognizing that youth are essential partners in this human rights work, the “Our Voices” project was born. “Our Voices” seeks to elevate and honor  voices of underserved and often marginalized peoples by offering opportunities to develop and share these voices.

• 2010: Longo-time Board President, Ed Keener was awarded Fund for Idaho’s Nell Tobias Philanthropy Award

• 2010: Kessler-Keener "Extraordinary Witness" Lecture Series hosted Bridging New Pathways: A Native non-Native Cross-Cultural Dialogue for Understanding. The event attracted over 200 from across the state and feature keynote speakers Dr. Robbie Paul and Phill Allen.

• 2012: Kessler-Keener Lectures formed a partnership with TRIO Upward Bound - Boise State University and Mentor Artists Playwrights Project (MAPP) and started contributing to annual summer programming efforts. TRIO Upward Bound is a federally funded program that prepares students for college or vocational school through various enrichment courses, intensive mentoring and academic support. MAPP is an arts education provider and events producer that partners with schools, tribal councils, not-for-profit community development organizations, human rights and social justice advocates, colleges and universities, to bring unique creative workshops, arts programming, and live presentations to marginalized communities.

• 2018: The Kessler-Keener Lectures officially became the Kessler Keener Foundation. The name change occurred to capture the nonprofit’s work having expanded solely hosting educational lectures. The Kessler Keener Foundation is a registered 501c(3) nonprofit organization.

• 2020: Majority of Kessler Keener Foundation Board Members are Indigenous.

• 2020: Shortly after lockdown, launched two virtual black and brown author book clubs. The book clubs are still meeting once a week - now in person. 

• 2020: Started The Little Libraries for Social Justice, a traveling lending library. Book club members bought and contributed books.

• 2021: Native Voices I launched providing educators with Native-centered lesson plans and showcasing the stories of 15 Indigenous youth. Lesson plans are featured in Idaho Public Television aligned to Idaho State Education Standards and primarily for grades 3-5.

• 2021: In partnership with Boise State University, the Intertribal Native Council of BSU, the Kessler Keener Foundation hosted its first Red Carpet Event for Indigenous students who shared their personal stories in Native Voices. 

• 2021: The foundation was awarded an Education Grant from the Idaho Women’s Charitable Foundation for Native Voices II.