Six Imperatives for Leaders who Want to Center Racial Equity and Justice

"Diversity, equity, and inclusion are discussed at almost every philanthropic gathering," Keecha Harris and Ali Webb write, "but what action is needed?"

"Are these the building blocks destined to historically reshape the foundation playing field? Or are they just the latest foundation fig leaf for inequitable practices that started with the birth of the paternalistic, charity mindset?" they ask at an article published on Nonprofit Quarterly.

They state:

The two of us have engaged in a series of cohort-based learning efforts with foundations of differing budget sizes, funding priorities, geographic areas of focus, and leaders on almost every level of a foundation organizational chart. Since last year, we have engaged foundation presidents and CEOs through the Presidents’ Forum on Racial Equity. These leaders, whose foundations control 15 percent of all US philanthropic assets, have participated in a series of in-person sessions and webinars that center racial equity in their professional development. As one participant said, “I’m trying to understand my own white privilege from a foundation where we are the recipients of extreme white privilege.”

Harris and Webb share six leadership imperatives for leaders who want to lead in ways that center racial equity and justice.

• "Don’t be a leader in name only"
• "Prepare for the mess"
• "Understand the dangers of white supremacy culture"
• "Do not rely on unicorns—either in staff or in processes"
• "Recognize the need for racial equity—in your organization, the sector, and the world"
• "Engage with a spirit of discovery and joy"

Read here the article and the guidance for navigating the leadership imperatives.

Image: Miguel Á. Padriñán / Pixabay