The Power of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Who Is in Your Network?

by Lakeya Cherry, MSW

Who’s in your network?

What do they look like?

Is your network diverse?

     If you’re wondering, “Why?” The answer is, “Because it matters.” Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are important buzzwords in today’s society. Our increased diversity as a country and heightened political climate has elevated conversations around diversity.

Who belongs and who doesn’t?

And again, “Why?”

Who makes these decisions?

What is the intent?

     Men are paid more than women. Why?

     A racial wealth gap exists that disproportionately favors White people over all others. Why?

     People of color face adverse physical and mental health outcomes. Why?

Again, is your network diverse?

     Longstanding societal norms have contributed to how we live, who we associate with, decisions we make, and even those we connect with.

     Many of the decisions we make are unconscious. We make these decisions naturally and without a thought over some of the consequences. We do what we feel is right or have been conditioned to believe is right. Unfortunately, some of these decisions are biased. Because they are biased, some of our decisions negatively impact others.

     Did you know that nonprofis are the third largest workforce in the U.S., after retail trade and manufacturing? Although the third largest employer in the US, the sector disproportionately favors White nonprofit leaders for executive and board of director positions. Are people of color less qualified?

     A racial leadership gap exists in the nonprofit sector. This gap has been known about for more than 20 years.

     A recent study by the Building Movement Project revealed three field level problems.

1. Executive recruiters are not equipped to identify potential candidates of color for top-level nonprofit positions.
2. Boards are predominantly White and often do not support the leadership of staff of color.
3. Nebulous concepts like “fit” are great hiding places for implicit bias.  (Suarez, 2017)

     This Social Work Month, I challenge you to look at your network. Who’s in it and why? How does the composition of your network impact how you make decisions? Are you biased and if so (we all are, btw), what are you doing about it?

     Can you be more intentional about DEI in your personal and professional roles? Does your network need work?

     How might we as a profession increase our likelihood of eliminating grand challenges if our practices were more diverse, more equitable, and more inclusive?

     It’s time we elevate the conversation around race equity not just outside our sector but within our sector. I invite you to join me in this important work of not only understanding your networks but broadening your networks.

     Join me as an equity ally! Let’s not only address the racial leadership gap in the nonprofit sector. Let’s close it.

Lakeya Cherry, MSSW, is CEO of the Network for Social Work Management.