111. Training Leaders on Building Safe, Inclusive Spaces - Rashaunda Williams

12:10AM Apr 22, 2021

Speakers:

Becky Endicott

Jonathan McCoy

Rashaunda Williams

Keywords:

collective impact

nonprofit

people

uncomfortable

community

dogs

color

mission

diversity

organization

virtuous

impact

helping

understand

shonda

hear

conversation

story

world

wichita falls

Hey, I'm john.

And I'm Becky.

And this is the we are for good podcast.

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So let's get started. Hey, Becky.

Hello, john. Hey, Julie.

It's always a good day here. But it's really a good day. Good day,

cuz we're going to Ohio people

think we've gone to Ohio yet. So this is a huge win for us. Yes, yes,

we have a rock star today.

But you know, the online gets us connected to the most incredible people. And today that's one of those stories that we met somebody online and just loved what they were doing, and really lifting conversations that you know, we're all about here. And that is Shonda Williams story. And we're so excited to have her She is the president and community liaison of collective impact. And they're just a baby organization. They started on Giving Tuesday in 2020. So just a few months ago, but they are already making such an impact in what they're doing. And so we're diving in deep, you know, we love to lift the conversation of diversity, equity inclusion whenever we can and as often as we can. But I don't think it's talked about enough. And especially in light of someone that has led a nonprofit that is founded a nonprofit that has been a fundraiser having rashanna has experienced today, she's going to talk through just some ways that we can better support and provide resources for organizations that are just trying to thrive in the midst of such a complex and hard world today. So collected impact is a really incredible network. They bring together consultants, they bring together training and development in team building. And they've even launched an app who launches an app in their first six months of operation. But we're just really delighted to have rashanna on she is a ray of light. So for Shonda, welcome, thanks for being here.

Thank you all for having me. I'm excited.

We appreciate it. So I don't know if I said this. But she's the president and community liaison of collective impact. So would you kind of give us a little bit of your story rashanna? What led you to start collective impact and kind of connect the dots of your story that brings us to today?

Absolutely. So I have a very interesting background. I've been in the Air National Guard for over 12 years.

Thank you for your service.

It is my pleasure. I've always been like a paper pusher. So I haven't really been my first afsoc, as we call it was public affairs. So that's pretty much the media relations for a military installation. And then I did a very short stint as a paralegal. And now I'm a data analyst. So but through that time, I've always was active in the community, either volunteering, serving on a board, I even started a nonprofit in 2017. So I understand the pain points from every area, right. So I've seen the internal barriers, and then the external barriers I witnessed firsthand as running a nonprofit organization. So our mission was to help empower African American men and women, right. And so that wasn't very sought after or funded, you know, when I would go out for grant proposals. And so that was kind of heartbreaking as well. And then I started connecting the dots, right? So seeing common threads, sometimes when you're in it, you're like, Oh, it's just this organization. But then you start volunteering and work in other places. You're like, Oh, no, this is a cultural issue. Right? So again, the internal external barriers, and that was the reason behind collective impact, right? So the main goal is to improve the black community, right? And not just the black community, because when you improve communities, it affects our nation, and it affects the world, right? You have to start where you are, right? So putting together a team of awesome professionals like we have over a century, which is crazy to say, of experience in the nonprofit sector, collectively, with our team and is still growing. So everyone bringing their diverse skills and expertise to the table to help nonprofits of color to better position themselves, right. We talked about the internal and external barriers. So one internal barrier is not having access to funding right. So what happens with no funding You have maybe a team of two people who are done, they get burned out, they work a lot, right. And then some people even give up. Right? So helping bring grant writers to the table and our finance people to the table to help them to write more effective grant proposals so they can get funding. So they don't have to have a one person two person team.

I love that I really appreciate you standing up not only this company, but standing up and saying, We've got to get some tools, we've got to get some expertise at the table. And we've got to find ways to equalize. So I want to talk a little bit about the diversity gap in the nonprofit sector, you've experienced it. This nonprofit sounds like it's a compilation of probably those experiences that you've had, and so many others. Can you talk just a little bit about your experiences and give us a glimpse from your point of view? Absolutely. So

as the founder of my nonprofit, I will go to a lot of workshops and training to be a nonprofit, because it's still a business, right? But there are more layers to it. Right? So I've had businesses, I know how to run a business, this was a whole nother monster, right? So I will go to training, and I will be the only if maybe one other person of color in the room, right? And then you're learning how to run this organization. But no one looks like you, right? And then like I said before, our organization's mission was to help African American adults, right? So it's like, you know, that's not really the hot topic. And you know, I'm not discarding anything but you know, US animals, like, I love animals, like, you know what I mean? So, so it's kind of like it, it was uncomfortable, right? And we as humans, no one likes to be uncomfortable, right? But in that moment, it's not about anyone being uncomfortable. It's about the greater impact, right? So I think we just need to focus on that instead of the diversity of how someone thinks or, or assumptions, assuming, oh, well, this is what this is, or this is how this is like, you don't know, like, meet people where they are. So that was one thing for me it was uncomfortable to, because I know there were professionals of color in those industries. And I would just always say, Well, why why aren't anyone here? Why isn't anyone teaching this stuff? You know? And so that was one of the dots that connected it. And then we are talking about, you know, diversity and nonprofit. So, um, I found a stat from boardsource, right? 2017 follow their stuff a lot. And then it says that 87% of CEOs in the world position national organizations are Caucasian, right? And then you have 6% are African American, 4%, Hispanic, and then 3%. Asian. So it's like, okay, those are the CEOs of these nonprofit organizations, right? And then, but when you look at because my background is in advertising and marketing, right, so same marketing material, that's not reflected. It's always minorities in the picture. Like, it's like, oh, we need your help, you know, like, so. So it's kind of a disconnect, there is almost, like, exploiting, right. And as a woman of color, that's how I feel about it. Right? It's like nonprofits are to be about inclusion and diversity. But you're not, you're talking it, but you're not walking yet. Right. So we all know, nonprofits are really the board of directors are the ones that make the decisions. And the CEO is boots on the ground. They make it happen, right. So let's look at the stats on that. And I got this from the impact of diversity report. 78.6% of board of directors are Caucasian, 7.5% are black. 4.2% are Latino, and 2.6 are Asian. So there's a huge disconnect there. Right. So the people who are making the decisions are not connected to the communities that they're serving, right? And again, it's all about impact. But how can you meet me where I am? And you don't understand me? You don't understand what I go through. Right. So yeah, that's part of why collective impact was definitely needed. It's not a new concept by any means, right? It's not a new concept, just tailored to be African Americans. communities of color, it's more of a new concept.

Well, I love that you're stepping into this space, because obviously, across the board, it's needed. I feel like what to lift what you're saying there. And just to echo it, I love that, you know, we need to do a better job of the missions of who we're serving, we need to have leaders that are reflective of the people that we're serving, obviously, because at the very tail end of impact, you want them to be able to see what's possible and the opportunities ahead of them, like I completely am on board with that. But something I hadn't thought through as deeply that you're lifting to is just how we're teaching in the profession that I mean, who are who make up panels who make up the experts, quote, unquote, of our industry in the development space, you know, I'd love to look at the percentages of that as well. And how do we give platform to all the different groups? So I know that's part of your mission and collective impact. So can you kind of talk about the teaching aspect of how you are finding, you know, leaders who are teaching and how are you lifting and amplifying their voice?

Absolutely. So as I said, before that I was I did a short stint as a paralegal, right? So I definitely use my investigative skills. And LinkedIn is a phenomenal tool, right? So you can kind of investigate, you know, what people do, then we do like a call. And we kind of go through, like what our values are. And that is a really great thing. We collaborate with purpose, right? So our our mission is, we love God, we love people. And we love business, right? So whoever we work with nonprofits or the consultants, they have to share those same values. And we are unapologetic about it right? Because that is very, very important to us. So I'm a great investigator, I said all that to say that I'm nosy and I got people online,

I think you bring up a really good point. And I think this is why we need to have these conversations. And I understand that they can be uncomfortable for a lot of people. But I think we need to sit in the discomfort just for a little bit. You know, if this is making you uncomfortable, then to me, that's an opportunity and a trigger for you that we need to be listening more, we need to be seeking out more information. Why does that make us feel uncomfortable? Because On the flip side, I'm thinking rashanna has felt uncomfortable for years, and I've had no knowledge of that, or the restaurant is of the world. And this is an important conversation. And I and I have to tell you, I'm very, I keep thinking about you saying that seeing a picture of someone of color, you know, on their advertisement or something like that. And that doesn't necessarily represent the mission is really, that's triggering to me, because john and I were both in marketing and and it's just not enough to throw a person of color on your mailer or on your website and say that's who we are if you're not doing the work inside. And so I really appreciate this conversation, because we need to be asking ourselves, and I don't think it's just about our African American friends. I mean, you bring a great point about our Hispanic friends, our Asian friends in this sector. And I think it's also about diversity of thought. And, and and I'd love for you to talk a little bit about that, because I think there's people that are probably listening saying, I want to do this. I don't know where to start, what would you recommend to them?

Absolutely. So I'll give a really funny story. I love animals. I love dogs. And I, at one point in my life, I couldn't trust people who didn't like, I know, that is very important to me, because my I have a 15 year old son, I have two dogs, right. And I was having a conversation at work because I always talk about my dogs. And one of our really, she's very quiet reserved. And she came up to me and she said, You know what? I hear you talk about your dogs all the time. And that's awesome. And she says I want to like dogs. But when I was younger, I was walking for my grandmother's house and I heard a big dog barking and then I heard the chain pop, and the dog attacked her. And I said, oh my goodness for Shonda. Like, what insensitive jerk you have been bringing that back to diversity and nonprofits is that every what we don't have the same experiences you have to, like I said, meet people where they are right. And I don't expect you that he's john or Julie to understand, but I appreciate the openness, the wanting to understand, right. So that that's the first step having a platform like this. This is amazing, right? And then just have an open conversation. She works at a national nonprofit organization. And they had diversity and inclusion training, right? And she's like, Oh, my God, the whole time everyone was complaining about how this man gave this presentation. It should have his she should have did it like this, he should have did it like that. And I mean, she was heartbroken because she worked with these people for a long time, right. And then in that moment, although she could relate to this gentleman giving this training, they couldn't relate to it. So in essence, they are rejecting her. Right? Like you are rejecting who I am. Not just this is not just about this guy is and I had to tell her, like, you know, sometimes people just don't know what they don't know. Right? Just like I didn't know I was being insensitive jerk about this snouts. Right. You didn't know what you didn't know, but only when someone came to me with their story. And I was open to listen and put myself in that, like, I'm a mother, you know, like, in that moment is like dog or my baby. You know what I mean? Like, I understand that, right? So meeting people where they are and looking to understand is not just check a box, because that organization obviously didn't care about the diversity inclusion training, they wanted to just check the box right.

Taking a quick pause from today's episode to thank our sponsor, who happens to be one of our favorite companies virtuous, you know, we believe everyone matters. And we've witnessed the greatest philanthropic movements happen when you see and activate donors at every level. And virtuous is the platform to help you do just that. It's so much more than a nonprofit CRM. virtuous helps charities reimagine generosity through responsive fundraising. And we love it because this approach builds trust and loyalty through personalized donor engagement. Some, like virtuous may be a fit for your organization, learn more today@virtuous.org Follow the link in our show notes. rashanna I love this story. I love the relating it to just the dog too, because I think we all kind of walk through that with you. And then you all of a sudden feel like oh, my gosh, how could I be so cruel? Two minutes ago, right. But I think you know, and something that I am reading and really thinking a lot about right now is just how does leaders create that safe space? And how do they create a place for people to be authentic and share their experiences? You know, like, how are you opening that door so you can understand the different perspectives on your team, so you can make a more safe place, because people are going to thrive if they feel safe if they feel like they can do themselves. So I'm drinking the rashanna Kool Aid, what are your dreams? I mean, down the road, what would you love to see collective impact do?

I would love for, like you said, a safe space, right? I would love for people who have great hearts, right? Because we're phenomenal people to do nonprofit work, have awesome consultants build their esteem, right? Because you can't really bribe in an environment. When you feel like you're being watched, like, Am I too black? Is my hair too black today? Or, you know, am I being too? You know, whatever, fill in the blank. I mean, you can that goes for gender, too, right? Same thing, right? Um, and to help them to like, know that they're awesome at what they do. And you're not just, I'm not just the black woman, graphic designer, I'm not just the black woman, accountant, I am an accountant. So helping them to be the best them that they can be not to limit to what society says because you begin to internalize that right? If I am constantly, they call it a stereotype threat, right? I'm constantly worried about how I'm presenting myself. I don't want to lose myself. Right. And then that's going to hinder my creativity. That's going to hinder my confidence to be like, Okay, this sounds crazy. Like you said, six months, and you got an app like this sounds crazy. But you know what? Let's go for it. Right. And so and then on the other side of that, to help nonprofit leaders of color, who have the most amazing stories like, oh, my goodness, I think anyone who starts a nonprofit usually has a close connection to whatever that causes. We do a leaders of color interview series once a month on our platform, and we just had a gentleman on there who had a kidney transplant, right. And as he was starting having dialysis and all of that, then he started his nonprofit, because he saw all these children in the same position. He was older man, but he was 1920 when it happened, but he was just so moved by these babies with these missions. Have donum. So it inspired him to start a nonprofit, right? So helping them to understand that, yes, you have the passion, but this is a business, and you need X, Y, and Z people to do it, you cannot do it all alone. And you kind of understand your turn off. Because when you go to get training, no one looks like you, you feel like you can't relate to anyone, nobody cares. So I'm helping consultants and professionals of color feel safe, and just Aspire in their industry to see themselves as that instead of just a black person that does that, right. And then nonprofits led by people of color to really impact the communities because they are the closest to those communities, right? They know they live in those communities, right? So it shouldn't be about color, it's about our community's collective. Right. So helping to improve your community, improves the nation, and changes the world. Right. So staying focused on the bigger picture.

rashanna just gave us the key to life. It really I mean, I just think you you have such a, a wonderful point here. And you said it at the very, the very beginning. When you improve community, you improve the world. And this is about hearing stories to your point. Because if we create the time we create the space to gently just sit down from another human, hear their story. And to our credit, they hear ours, you know, there it's got to be a symbiotic relationship, because we are both going to grow each other's worldview, just by virtue of listening and having human compassion for what you've been through and what I've been through. And it's about making a seat at the table for everyone. And I love the story that you bring about community and the human connection to story, which is a great transition into my question, which is, we want to know a story from you. What is a story that you have experienced in your career in your life, a moment of philanthropy that has deeply moved you and stayed with you?

There's so many I've been on the receiving end. I've been the facilitator of it. There's so many but I was not too far from you in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Oh, been there? Well,

yeah, Sheppard, Air Force Base. Oh, yeah. And I was there for three months. And it was very character building rate. And it was the Texas pit crew, though. Yeah. The bet. They came onto the base, and they had like truckloads and vans of snouts. Right. And you should have saw all these military people just eating it up, like, you know, like, Oh, she looks like my dog back home. And some of these guys and gals have been in training for a year, a year and a half, you know, because that's the maintenance the aircraft school in Wichita Falls, they literally brightened so many airman's day,

so rashanna, we ask all of our guests, what's their one good thing, and it's something that could be practical that you pass along to our audience, something you could do today, to make a difference.

This week, where they are, don't make assumptions. And then understanding like you guys were saying, How do you act when you're uncomfortable? Why am I uncomfortable in this situation? And then when you're uncomfortable? Do you like lash out? Do you become a bully? Do you get under your desk and cry, like, you know, whatever. But just be aware of that. And when it happens, if you need some affirmations, you need some music, coffee, whatever that is. Just be aware of why you're feeling what you're feeling envy people where they are.

I love this idea of just check yourself. Because if that is the thing you can take away from this conversation. It's if you feel uncomfortable, the next move that you make is going to say everything about who you are as a human. Are you going to go toward anger? Are you going to go towards judgment? Are we going to lean into it a little bit and ask some questions. And I just encourage everybody and including myself, because I think all of us are tired, we're worn down. You know, it would be really easy to go toward that I'm upset about the situation. But if we can just take a hot minute and really ask ourselves, how do I want to move through this life? Try to go down that path, you know, less traveled, because I really think that that is going to make all the difference again, so rashanna How can people connect with you? How can they connect with collective impact? Were you on social? Yeah. Tell us about the app to?

Oh, yes. Oh, so the app is available Collective Impact app is available for download in the Google and Apple Play Store, Google Play and Apple Store. There we go. And it's filled with resources are consultants, they provide content, educational resources, we're going to have a course a full course coming April caught impact Academy that will be available to our app subscribers as well. Because I know when I get on Facebook, or whatever, I'm like, looking at cats and dogs. I'm like, What did I do? So we wanted to make it super easy. It's a one stop shop for other nonprofit means. You can connect with me if I haven't found you yet. Because you know, that's what I do. On a collective impact is rashanna Williams. You can follow us on Facebook at collective impact and also Instagram at collective impact for one night, visit our website, www dot collective hyphen, impact. dot HPP.

Love it. Well, we're saying that this conversations been so helpful and so good, and you're such a good person. So thanks for hanging out with us today.

Thank you so much for having me.

Thanks for listening to today's conversation with Shonda, we hope it's inspired you to look around your organization ensure everyone is brought to the table. Remember improving your community ultimately improves our world. You probably hear it in our voices but we love connecting you with the most innovative people to help you achieve more for your mission. Every Monday we send a weekly roundup of our best content and resources to our good community. Sign up for free we are for good, calm backslash. Hello. One more thing. If you love what you heard today, would you mind leaving us a podcast rating and review? That means the world to us and helps more people find our community? Our production heroes the person who's always looking out for the little guy, Julie Confer Hello. Our theme song is sunray by Rumi force. Boom.