Racism skeptic? I know many of you serve on non-profit corporate and charitable foundation boards of directors to ‘give back’ to your communities. Is there a lack of racial diversity among your nonprofit and foundation leaders? Even when and where the organization purports to serve minority and underserved communities? “Considering equality and social progress are supposed to be a core facet of cause work, the lack of commitment to that within the industry’s offices and boardrooms is perplexing.” Or is it?
White people dominate the industry, holding more than eighty percent (80%) of the top positions. This homogeneity limits perspectives, approaches to problem solving, and the likelihood that the board actually understands root concerns of the diverse populations they serve. Among the top 315 largest non-profits and foundations white people hold closer to ninety percent (90%) of the positions of leadership.
The numbers speak loudly for themselves.