Substantial work is needed to ensure the nonprofit and philanthropy sectors are equipped to develop, implement and sustain a racial equity workplan that supports all nonprofits, especially those led by leaders of color. Investment in leadership development and individualized capacity building that can be scaled is critical for sustainability through current challenges and into the future.
The Center is committed to modeling and ensuring racial equity across all sectors. Our Center for Race, Equity, Justice and Inclusion focuses on supporting and building momentum toward real change.
1. Research will begin with gathering data to inform future programming, including a 12-month, race equity experiential learning series for board members and executive directors
2. Cross Sector Collaboration will include educating partners in the philanthropic, government and education communities about the issues being addressed by nonprofit organizations serving communities of color, and the specific challenges nonprofits led by leaders of color are facing.
3. Advocacy will begin with outreach to and engagement of regulating bodies to strongly encourage policy and system changes regarding charitable organizations, diverse leadership and board compensation.
4. Experiential Learning will assist nonprofit organizations with the development of a racial equity work plan, including developing policies and procedures to create an anti-racist environment that enables all employees to thrive; and will share local historical and other learning journeys that are impacting race and trust relations, as well as hands-on service learning from nonprofit leaders on the ground.
5. Capacity Building will provide support to help strengthen nonprofit leaders’ ability to create an anti-racist environment, expand funding to underserved communities and leaders, assist nonprofits in attracting and retaining employees of color, and train all employees to understand the value of diversity, equity and the importance of inclusion in their organizations.
Applying a racial equity lens to year-end (and year round) giving
Center CEO Glen O’Gilvie shares his thoughts in the Washington Post
... about how donors can impact and advance change by intentionally applying a racial equity lens to their giving. With a little research, donors can tailor where their donations go and how they are used, supporting organizations that are advancing critical work, while also sending a powerful message to other groups, encouraging them to follow through on their commitment. Glen shares suggestions about how we can all play a role in advancing racial equity, justice and inclusion, creating a positive impact on our communities. We encourage you to read the full article.
Events and Panel Discussions
On December 17, 2020, a cross sector group of leaders met virtually to discuss the impact of both the pandemic and racial equity issues on education, health and housing in the region. The discussion included a look at what progress has been made and plans for the year ahead.
The discussion was led by the following leaders of color:
Heather M. Raspberry, Executive Director, Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers
Dr. Pierre Vigilance, Health Transformation Lead, Centri Tech
Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr., Superintendent of Schools, Alexandria City Public Schools
The panel was moderated by
Glen O'Gilvie, CAE. CEO, Center for Nonprofit Advancement, and Dr. Madye Henson, Principal, CentricIMPACT
On July 15, 2020, the Center for Race, Equity, Justice and Inclusion was launched as more than 100 joined us virtually for our inaugural panel discussion. Discussions are planned throughout the year, to focus on the journeys of prominent leaders of color, as well as key issues impacting organizations and communities.
Our first panel shared their journeys, strategies and vision.
Lisa Brown Alexander, President & CEO, Nonprofit HR
Darryl Maxwell, Assistant Director (Nonprofit & Small Business), DC Bar Pro Bono Center
Marcus Walton, President & CEO, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations
Moderator: Glen O'Gilvie, CAE, CEO, Center for Nonprofit Advancement
Central pool of resources
To help you with your own efforts and keep you informed, we will maintain this pool of resources, posting information, tools and webinars as we learn of them.
Provided by the Center
REI 101: What Does Racial Equity Look Like?
Join us for this webinar on February 11, 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm, and participate in a learning process that encourages transformative self-reflection, engaged participation and supportive accountability.
Prepared by the Center
Leadership Development Course
Expanding diversity at the executive level begins with education. The Center's Executive Preparation Course (EPI) helps train upcoming leaders, preparing them for today's challenges, as well as tomorrow's. Taught by experts, this 6-day course (one day per month) is offered just once a year. The 2021 class starts February 19, so consider registering now.
Commissioned by the Center
Regional Research Report
Early fall of 2020, the Center commissioned Brighter Strategies to conduct a nonprofit study to gain a better understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and racial equity specifically in the Greater Washington, DC Region. See what they found.
Excerpt from 2020 Nonprofit Agenda
Actions trump words
So let's take the lead
Sylisa Lambert-Woodard, Center Board Chair and DEI Committee member, shares her insights and thoughts on growing a culture of excellence that evolves out of combating comfortable alliances, superficial policies and language that is insensitive to inclusion.
Shared by the Center
What is an Equity Lens?
The purpose of an equity lens is to be deliberately inclusive as an organization makes decisions. Equity lenses can be customized for different organizations and decisions. This document provides a set of questions that can help the decision makers focus on equity in both their process and outcomes.
Prepared by the Center
Leadership Series informs, equips and inspires black professionals to take the lead
As part of our efforts to transition from discussion to taking actionable steps, the Center recently initiated—and provided at no charge, an 8-part leadership course for black professionals. Learn more.
Prepared by the Center
WEBINAR: Lead with Equity - recording
Password:#aUw^P30
This September workshop provided a clearer sense of what a racial equity journey might look like for your organization, and how you can ready yourself, your team, and your stakeholders for this work.
Prepared by the Aspen Institute
11 Terms You Should Know to Better Understand Structural Racism
This glossary describes terms related to structural racism and terms used to promote racial equity analysis. It was created by the Aspen Institute Roundtable on Community Change, a group that worked with leading innovators to produce strong and reliable frameworks for successful and sustainable community change and development.
Prepared by Equity in the Center, a Project of ProInspire
AWAKE TO WOKE TO WORK- Building a Race Equity Culture
This in depth, well researched publication provides a comprehensive guide for engaging your organization in the transformational work of building a Race Equity Culture.
Prepared by Neo Law Group
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Nonprofit Bylaws
While discussions regarding DEI are increasingly prevalent in the nonprofit sector, the next, more difficult, step forward is to turn the discussions into action. This article outlines steps we can take—as part of the nonprofit community dedicated to the benefit of the public—to effectuate our commitment to DEI.
Provided by Neo Law Group
Governance Documents: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Nonprofits
In the nonprofit sector, there is an evident racial leadership gap. This article talks about how organizations can address this issue of inadequate representation for minorities by incorporating DEI provisions into their governance documents.