Intentionality Goes A Long Way In Sustaining Your Racial Equity Commitment

Move organizational commitments to action by focusing on the how of your work.

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The Need for Clarity

Executive leaders and change-makers, I want to offer you some guidance around “managing into” your racial equity commitments. Many organizations declare themselves as being anti-racist. And, many more organizations make commitments to racial equity.

But, what do these proclamations really mean? My experience is that while the intention is well-meaning and (usualluy) good, without a clear (and shared) understanding of what it means to function as an anti-racist, racially equitable organization, the impact can be damaging. Even painful.

The becoming lies in your everyday practice.

Intentionality Matters

Now, here is the crux of the matter.

What does living into a commitment look like?

In my opinion, intentionality is what separates a well-meaning organization from an organization who is living and managing into their commitment.

“Your work is too important to be left to how you feel today. On the other hand, committing to an action can change how we feel. If we act as though we trust the process and do the work, then the feelings will follow. Waiting for a feeling is a luxury we don’t have time for.”

— Seth Godin, The Practice

Practically, that can look like:

• Building equitable systems within your organization, especially if you are a nonprofit that has experienced a lot of growth in a short time

• Examining policies, practices, and protocols to disrupt harmful organizational norms, to ensure that you're not causing harm inside or outside of your organization

• Demonstrating willingness to adapt new norms and processes without penalty to those who ask critical and often uncomfortable questions about racism

Are these practices embedded within your nonprofit with the appropriate systems? Again, I appreciate the intent. But remember, there's a difference between committing to being anti-racist and actually being anti-racist. I think that is a really important distinction. Further, I think it's okay to make public declarations that name where your organization is its journey. Stories are important but tell them authentically. Then, back up those words with action that create accountability for the promise.

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