race - Nonprofit AF

Cultural Competency

"There Can Only Be One" Syndrome and how people of color can also uphold white supremacy and injustice

[Update: After this post's publication, colleagues pointed out that the term "Highlander Syndrome" is confusing and may negatively affect the work of the amazing Highlander Research and Education Center, so I am temporarily renaming it to "There Can Only Be One" Syndrome, OBO Syndrome

community organizing

Have nonprofit and philanthropy become the “white moderate” that Dr. King warned us about?

Over the past few days, I have been thinking of George Floyd’s brutal murder by the police and of the protests happening in Minneapolis, nationwide, and globally, as I know many of you are. I am at a loss on what to do and how to support our Black

Race, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion

The Curb-Cut Effect, and Why Race, Equity, Access, Diversity, and Inclusion (READI) Are Even More Critical Now

Hi everyone, before we get to today’s topic, I’m having a conversation with the brilliant Angie Kim, CEO of the Center for Cultural Innovation, on May 27th at 10am PST, about our sector. “Vu and Angie will have an informal, probably profanity-laden fireside chat, where we discuss what’

Grantwriting

The subtle racism of expecting people and communities of color to always get along

Hi everyone, before we get into this week’s topic, a quick shout out to colleagues at Momentum Nonprofit Partners in Memphis for taking a stand for equity on their job board by no longer accepting job postings for positions that pay less than $15, and also requiring all postings

nonprofit field

So you don’t think race, equity, diversity, and inclusion are relevant to your mission

Hi everyone, this post may be a little shorter than usual, due to a few few full-blown tantrums from my little ones over the course of the day. One involved a potty training accident that required a thorough hose-down in the bathtub. I am slightly frazzled and not very lucid.

nonprofit field

10 measurable New Year's resolutions your nonprofit or foundation can totally achieve in 2019

Hi everyone. If this is your first day back from the holiday break, make some coffee and read last week’s pep talk “Welcome back to work, you stunningly brilliant and attractive world-changer, you!” followed by “12 tips to ensure you don't stab anyone on your first day

data

How the concept of effectiveness has screwed nonprofits and the people we serve

Hi everyone. Before we delve into today’s very serious topic, a quick announcement. January 12th is International Nonprofit Karaoke Throwdown Day! Here’s a blog post I wrote on why staff and boards of different nonprofits need to hang out more. Find a nonprofit or two in your area

Uncategorized

All right, “color-blind” colleagues, we need to have a talk

In my work and travels I’ve met some really incredible people doing amazing stuff. Every meeting, every trip restores my faith in our sector, as well as replenishes my office’s supply of pens and chapsticks from various exhibitors at conferences.But once a while, I encounter people who

Cultural Competency

Hey, you got a little racism stuck in your teeth.

Recently, there was a news story claiming there’s no evidence that flossing actually does anything. I fell on the ground weeping with joy. Yes, complete exoneration! Take that, you dentists and dental hygienists, with your judgy eyes above your mouth covers. Now, I just need to find a study