Somebody said we may be able to have courage without leadership; however, there is no leadership without courage. Earlier this week I talked about nonprofit leadership as a process, not a position and that anyone with a vision can push for social change even without a big fancy title. The first step in the leadership process I highlighted was developing a vision of what you want to see in the world. I write about this today because I have been going through this first step of determining the elements of my personal vision and trying to develop my own leadership skills to move it forward. It ain’t easy. I talk about many things I strongly believe in on this blog, but I never really saw myself as a megaphone for dialogue on those issues until now. I have found that if you speak, sometimes people will actually listen. I’ve been living these sentiments since posting about racial disparities within the nonprofit sector on the SSIR Opinion Blog.
I wrote the piece with trepidation of how people would perceive my words and whether people within my organization would change their perception of me. It was a challenging decision for me to submit a piece purposely titled “Philanthropy Doesn’t Care About Black People” rather than anything nice and fluffy and non-controversial on any other topic because 1) it was on a topic that is intensely personal to me, and 2) it was on a topic that people have issues talking about in all sectors and areas of life and generates all sorts of angst in various ways. But what made the difference for me to be able to click “send” to the editors of SSIR was the fact that I knew what I had to say was authentic to me and I felt strongly that it needed to be said. That personal obligation was so strong that it turned into a leadership learning moment for me. What I learned right at that moment before I submitted my post to SSIR is that having the courage to speak out about anything is a challenge, but when it is especially personal or compelling to you is when it most needs to be done. Our most authentic and inspirational leaders were able to move people to social change because they pulled the courage to speak out and act on what they believed was right from the very belly of their being.
All week I have received many emails and comments on the SSIR blog (some positive, some negative, some with ideas and solutions, some with a tone of despair or hope) about things I’ve said about the need for more racial diversity in the nonprofit sector and the necessity of simply having the discussion. For a moment, I actually wondered, why the hell did I open this Pandora’s Box? Who am I to be speaking out about these issues? I haven’t done any scientific studies. I’m not a PhD of anybody’s university. I haven’t written any bestselling books. I’m not an expert on anything. I’m just a young Black woman who is passionate about change and wants to improve the nonprofit sector.
But what has been affirming for me in my leadership process is that even though I don’t have a big leadership position, I am fulfilling my vision for change by simply talking about what I believe in. I think we all can do that, and if we are passionate about real social change, we should also see it as an obligation. Many people who work in nonprofits are afraid to speak up for what’s right, even when they work in organizations that work toward social justice or citizen engagement or community empowerment. For young people, I think it’s even harder, as it is for me. But it is something that we all must do if we ever expect things to improve. John Mayer made it into a great song, but we CANNOT sit here just waiting for the world to change. Nothing can be changed with a sector full of silence.
I want readers to know that I may often come off as an “expert” on issues I discuss here on this blog, but at the same time I’m going through a very useful, but clumsy process of defining what my own life is for. This blog has helped me to meet a lot of interesting people who are inspiring me to merge my work life with my personal mission and speaking out for what is right for social change as it relates to communities in need. In fact, these past months have been one of those neverending ‘aha’ moments…figuring out what I really need personally to be a good nonprofit leader, and how not to make everything so damn complicated and JUST DO IT when I feel it’s right.
I say all this to say that my nonprofit journey is indeed a very personal one and I’m grateful for all of you who are helping and inspiring me along the way. I have not, and may never arrive at the perfect summit of leadership, but I’m beginning to realize what it takes to step outside of the status quo.
Rosetta,
If there is one thing that I have learned from the civil rights movement it is that there is no progress without personal sacrifice. If change were that easy would would live in a fair society with no disparities. I appreciate that you were willing to put yourself out on the limb that we all need to be on because diversity in the sector needs to be talked about and its not going to happen if we all sit around hoping and wishing.
Keep up the good work,
Trista Harris
http://www.newvoicesofphilanthropy.org
Rosetta:
You say “I’m not an expert on anything. I’m just a young Black woman who is passionate about change and wants to improve the nonprofit sector.” Then you post your Real Talk piece.
For sure, I don’t know what could qualify you more…you bring to us your life experiences interpreted by intelligent perspective wrapped in a spiirtual heart.
That’s why I, and many others I trust, keep coming back to hear what you have to say. Keep on keepin’ on!
Trista and Russ – thank you for your comments…it truly the kind of encouragement I need to continue to let go and step out into that space of courage and uncertainty.