Good food for thought. Here is an opinion piece in the Chronicle of Philanthropy by Renee Karibi-Whyte of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors relating to racial injustice and systemic inequalities. While these topics are front and forward in many of today’s conversations her question to the philanthropic world is what changes are you making within your own practices based on these conversations?
Here are three things Karibi-Whyte put forward to challenge us to think differently.
Step outside of the bubble. Understand who we interact with - does that include people whose perspectives and life experiences are different from our own? What assumptions do we make of what communities should do? How do our own personal experiences create biases in our analysis and evaluation of information?
Reconsider outdated and potentially harmful organizational practices. Are grant requirements, reporting, etc. shutting out communities you want to reach? Is there adequate diversity within your internal leadership and with grantees?
Stick around when times get tough. Recognize and then mitigate power dynamics and processes that prevent honest feedback and two-way conversations.
What are your thoughts? What are your actions?
Photo credit: Євгенія Височина @eugenivy_reserv