Chronicle of Philanthropy Publishes Op-Ed on Racial Equity, Co-Authored by Monisha Kapila

Today the Chronicle of Philanthropy published an op-ed by Monisha Kapila, ProInspire CEO, and Ericka Hines, ProInspire Advisor and Principal of Every Level Leadership. The op-ed, How Nonprofit Workers and Leaders Can Make a Difference as Racial Tensions Flare, was written in response to rising racial tensions in America and the need for increased engagement from the nonprofit sector. It is a call to action for nonprofit professionals to promote racial equity and justice as individuals, within their organizations, and throughout their ecosystems. Individuals can start by increasing their own knowledge about racial equity and anti-racism work, and learning how to be an advocate. Then it’s important to connect the dots between racial equity and the work that we do in the nonprofit sector. Finally, individuals should identify how to influence the people and organizations within their networks.

In their piece, Monisha and Ericka offer several ways to initiate conversations and assessments that can lead us towards racial equity. The op-ed serves as an inspirational mandate, reminding us that “during times of great tragedy, we have the potential for great change.”

ProInspire was founded on the belief that increasing diversity within our sector will strengthen nonprofit organizations to more effectively achieve their missions and serve their communities. We continue to hold this conviction and believe that never has our work to create a more diverse and equitable social sector talent pipeline been more important.

Please read the full op-ed here, and share it with your networks. An excerpt of the piece along with sample social media messaging can be found below.

Sample tweets:

@ProInspire @everylevelleads @Philanthropy op-ed calls NP leaders to promote race equity in self, org, network: http://bit.ly/2ap88mM

How NP leaders can promote racial equity & justice in self, org, ntwork: @ProInspire @everylevelleads in @Philanthropy http://bit.ly/2ap88mM

In times of great tragedy we have potential for great change. @ProInspire @everylevelleads op-ed in @Philanthropy: http://bit.ly/2ap88mM

Sample Facebook or Newsletter posts:
In an op-ed published today by the Chronicle of Philanthropy, ProInspire CEO Monisha Kapila and ProInspire Advisor and Principal of Every Level Leads Ericka Hines made the case for action by nonprofit leaders to promote racial equity and justice in themselves, their organizations, and their ecosystems. Their inspirational mandate, a response to recent events and rising racial tensions, outlines several steps nonprofit professionals can take to work toward true racial equity and stronger mission fulfillment. Don’t miss it! http://bit.ly/2ap88mM

Op-Ed Excerpt:

How Nonprofit Workers and Leaders Can Make a Difference as Racial Tensions Flare

By Ericka Hines and Monisha Kapila

Senseless shootings across the country have awakened racial tensions in America anew.

Forty-nine people, most of them Hispanic, were shot at Orlando’s gay nightclub, the Pulse.

In Minnesota and Louisiana, cops killed two black men, Philando Castile and Alton Sterling. And in Baton Rouge and Dallas, shooters killed several policemen, adding to tensions between African-Americans and law-enforcement officers.

While it’s been hard to process one episode before another erupts, many of us in the nonprofit world have felt more compelled than ever to consider how our work for justice and a better world — no matter our mission — must connect to current events. As more people are becoming aware of the reality that not all people are treated equally, nonprofit organizations — and the people we serve — are increasingly grappling with questions about hate, violence, and humanity.

Nonprofit leaders can let these tragedies frustrate and paralyze us, or we can use them to inspire needed change in ourselves, our organizations, and our world. We hope action becomes the watchword for everyone.

But what actions to pursue? Here are some steps individuals can take:

Educate yourself. If you are not familiar with the concepts of racial equity or antiracism, take time to learn more. Ask yourself if you are aware of your own biases or privileges. Have you looked at your network and thought about how inclusive or exclusive it is? Does everyone look like you? Where do you get your information? Make sure you are hearing balanced perspectives and not in an “echo chamber” of like-minded points of view. As a good starting point, read Curriculum for White Americans to Educate Themselves on Race and Racism, drafted by Jon Greenburg, a public-school teacher.

Be an advocate. Learn how to speak out appropriately, both in professional and personal settings. If discussing racial issues in public makes you uncomfortable, think about other topics you have chosen to speak up about. Perhaps you were more confident speaking up because you felt knowledgeable about that issue from your organization’s work or from your personal experience. Speaking up about racial equity may be uncomfortable for people of all races, but it is critical we each take responsibility to talk about social injustice. For inspiration, check out Letters for Black Lives, a site that got its start by gathering Asian-Americans and Canadians to show their support for Black Lives Matter and now includes thoughts from people of many racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Don’t let the wave of depressing news overwhelm you. During times of pain, we must make sure to take time out for self-care. How are you fortifying yourself to be involved in this work over the long term? Are you sleeping and taking breaks from social media and reading the news? You won’t be effective if you feel depleted physically or emotionally. Imani Walker, a Los Angeles physician, offered some excellent tips and resources on how to preserve yourself in tough times on the Root’s website.

Read the rest of the op-ed here.