I know I said my next post was going to be a calendar of fun things to do to get to know your org. And, yes, that is still coming. But, today as I scrolled through my Facebook and Instagram feeds I saw exactly what I expected to see. (sigh) Org after org sharing a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in honor of his birthday. Which got me thinking. Are we truly honoring him by just repeating what he preached? By sharing videos of his speeches? While it is important to celebrate and elevate his messsage and legacy, it feels hollow right now. Especially given the state of the country and our society at this moment.
So, EDs…….what are we doing as leaders to REALLY share and inspire his work? Are we doing the good hard work that is necessary to change and influence? To inspire others to want to dig deep and do the good hard work?
I hope you didn’t answer that question too quickly. I really want you to sit with it today. I want you to think about the work you have done internally this past year, both personally and within your organization. You can’t help or lead others in the work, until you yourself have taken it on.
So, where do you start? While I can easily share a picture of the stack of books currently on my desk, and those are a good place to start…the best place to start is with the organizations in your community that are already doing this work.
I had a conversation with an organization in my area about funding the great work they were doing elevating voices, addressing implicit bias, training facilitators to have those important reflective community conversations, all while naviagating a growing pandemic in the firestorm of what is our political environment. In one sentence they shined a light for me on my own bias and naivety.
“Whether you fund us or not, this work is getting done. It HAS been getting done. For years. With little to no funding support”.
They were absolutely right. This work has been happening….for years….either at a grassroots level in neighborhoods, or on a larger scale. And just because a foundation wasn’t throwing money at it didn’t mean it wasn’t happening. It is just THAT IMPORTANT. Guess who are the experts at helping you, and your organization, take a hard look at your processes, communications, website, internal hiring practices, staff meetings….? Yup, the people who have been doing that work in your community. They know what questions need to be asked, how to guide you through recognizing your privledge and bias, expanding your personal awareness to get you to a place where you can make real change. You can transform your organization from one that just talked about the importance of DEI, to a community partner that is actually doing the good hard work. Looking at your work through the IDEA (Inclusion. Diversity. Equity. Access) lens. Having a facilitator is CRITICAL. You cannot do this work on your own. You shouldn’t do this work on your own. Having someone from YOUR community guide you on this journey will not only make this work more valuable to you, but you will gain a greater insight into where you do your work, and who you are serving.
If you don’t know who is doing this work in your community call your local Urban League office, YMCA, United Way, or your community foundation. It won’t take long to be put in touch with someone that can help you get started on this journey. Plan a staff and board retreat and dig in. It will be the most rewarding work you do, and will continue to do for years to come.
To move this nation forward we have to make progress in bridging the divides. We have to be able to identify the disparites and inequities within our own community. We have to recognize our privilege and implicit bias, and how that is impacting how we offer services. We have to be willing to listen with an intent to understand, not to reply. We have to be willing to be uncomfortable and critical of ourselves. We have to invite others in and ASK them how we can do better. And then, DO IT.
Go. Do the good hard work. Continue the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and all of those brave souls that are, and have been, doing this work in your own neighborhoods.
Imagine what this world would be like without them.
Imagine what this world WILL BE like with more people joining their fight.
FUNdED 