Open Thread Thursday 2.4.10

I have a question regarding nonprofits. I read the above posts and wanted to expound on something you stated. While I think working together and pooling resources is great, those opportunities are not always there. I recall your comment about the title of GCN's leadership program for minority candidates. I actually went to the site and checked the requirements. Even though I am now in the non-profit sector, I do not have 3 years experience so I cannot apply to the program. It would have been very beneficial, as I am still developing this organization and could use some training, resources, and access to a network. Quality Education and access to the arts, for low-income and minority students, are my passions. These two things only happen in public schools when parents have the money to live within a certain zip code. I had planned to open a Visual and Performing Arts charter school, but even that arena requires you to come to the table with money or no one takes you seriously. I have been contemplating whether my efforts are being wasted trying to change a system (and people within) that does not want to change, especially if it means providing disadvantaged groups with a level playing field.

So this is where I am: I have restructured the board; we are down to 3 members instead of 7. This is better because the former members were not productive. We do not have an operating budget because fairly new orgs rarely get funding. Most (local) foundations require you to be in operation for at least 3 years before they will consider yours or they only contribute to pre-selected organizations. If you do not have oeprating funds and are exempt from consdieration, how do you raise money to move forward with successfully implementing your vision?

There are only two ways to go, I think: government grants and individual contributions. Pounding pavement for $5 donations isn't fun, but especially if the private foundations aren't even considering you, government grants and individual contributions are the only ways to go.

Hi Rosetta,

I'm an admirer of your work. Thanks for being so dang cool! :) Currently, I live in Chicago and was recently promoted to "Business Development Officer" . All that means is, i'm a corporate fundraiser...woohoo!! Anyways, I've decided to start a blog about my new position and the journey of my career in fundraising. My intent is to share my experience from the standpoint of a person of color in the fundraising world. I started my wordpress account, picked my layout, but I'm having a hard time figuring out what to say in my first post and it has been holding me up! lol. Do you have any suggestions?

Congrats on starting your blog! I think it would be interesting to share a post about "a day in the life of a corporate fundraiser" or maybe something like 5 things you've learned so far in your new position. Looking forward to reading!

Hi Rosetta,

Just wondering what you think about the use of the N-word in the black community, particularly among young people. For some reason, it's something that's been on my mind today. I'm a 26-year old African American man originally from Baltimore, MD and I oftentimes find myself conflicted on the subject. However, I just posted the following on Twitter about it and am interested in hearing your comments:

"Use of the word "nigga" is a symptom of a "crabs-in-a-barrel" mindset. Those who struggle seek identification w/ others in the same condition. The more dignity and respect we have for ourselves, the less we'll use the word. Uplift the people and their language will be uplifted."

Thanks!

I think the N-word has no place in the community, black or otherwise. It's not just an issue with young people, though. My grandfather called us his "little niggas" all the way up until he died a few years ago. I think the reasons that certain people use the word are more complex than a "crabs in a barrel" mindset. Most folks who do use the word do not believe that they are disrespecting themselves. I do think that language is one of our most powerful tools for uplift, and I do agree that the N-word is not uplifting to anyone.

I'm new to your blog. I told a Twitter friend that I have interest in starting a non profit/foundation and she referred me to your site. It's been interesting so far.

I'm reading a novel by Victoria Christopher Murray entitled "Too Little Too Late" and I've been reading W.E.B. Dubois' "The Souls of Black Folk" since the end of last year.

The issue I have right now is landing a job in the field of public administration. I really have an interest in education administration. I have a passion for HBCU schools.

The topic I would like to discuss deals with fairness and opportunities for HBCU graduates. Do you feel that African American graduates would get better opportunities if they graduated from a predominently white institution than a history black institution? If so, why? And how can the playing field be more spreadout? Do you think HBCU institutions as a whole need improving or do the hiring managers need to pull the racist shades off their eyes and allow more opportunities for African graduates from these colleges?

Thanks.

Thanks for reading! I do think that new leadership is needed in many of the HBCUs, not just at the executive level, but in the departments as well. My sister attends Howard U and we've had to fight tooth and nail for things that should have been a given for an institution of higher education. That's not to say that I think HBCUs are bad. I'm a huge proponent of the idea that you can get a good education anywhere if you put a little extra elbow grease in. I went to a cheap(er) state school that was about 1/3 black, 1/3 white, 1/3 other and I still had to go the extra mile to get a good educational experience. That said, I really don't think you would need to start your own nonprofit to address these issues. If you end up landing a job at an HBCU, your impact as a leader could help transform the entire school!

@ Rosetta: The purpose of my non profit/foundation wouldn't only address the issue above. My organization would address life skills & spiritual awareness while focusing on preparation for college & career opportunities, as well as encouraging enrollment in HBCUs. This will allow me to work with HBCU presidents to help provide a better product to students, the youth in their transition to college, and corporate America with hiring HBCU graduates. Do you still believe my organization would be of need?

@Monise You may be right, it may depend on the location of the grad. I'm in NC. I think over all that hiring managers don't value applicants of HBCUs. That's my personal opinion, but I think if I did the research the numbers would prove it. I think this issue has he same kind of effect that "black names" get on resumes. If the person when to "X" university they may not get an interview, but if they went to "x" college they may. I understand that the economy has been on a spiral for a while, but companies are steadily posting new job opportunities. In my case, I believe I have a good resume, and a bangin' cover letter. I should have at least gotten an interview since 2008. I'm not saying that other graduates from non black institutions aren't experiencing the same issues, but there has to be a way to level the playing field. By the way, I wasn't a traditional student. I received my degree at 33 and with work experience. Thanks for your reply.

Can I add to your comment? I have actually been thinking the reverse is true for my current location: Georgia. This area is saturated with HBCU grads and they are the ones with the better jobs, especially in Education. When I first moved here, the first question people would ask is 'Where did you attend school?' When I asnwered (non-HBCU) they looked at me like I was crazy, then proceeded to ask me why I didn't attend an HBCU. I think it has to do with location and professional area. I never had a problem getting a job back home but I have been unemployed 3 years now. I guess I (and my degree) do not have tie 'right' connections. This same argument could be made for anyone who did not attend one of the Ivy League schools, especially Harvard, since out president is a grad and doors are being taken off the hinges for other alums now.

This is what has been on my mind: So everyone agrees that whites discriminating against minorities is wrong. Why do minorities lack self awareness when they discriminate against each other? Are there ways of uniting people without creating a common enemy?

Adding into this conversation, I think prejudiced comments come because we all have certain ideas about something and the fear of being misplaced. I think if we can stop worrying about getting stolen from and work on not stealing from our own communities and selves, we can do better.

I think it's about self-awareness and letting people know that we are not all that different. I live in south Texas and am white. I am a majority that lives a minority (so the roles are reversed). Throughout my short non-profit career I have only worked with minorities in low income areas (just my direction for some reason).

Finding common grounds that you can all discuss about the community that are not controversial that will stir the pot to create even more problems are good areas to start. Schools? Your kids? The past and how things have changed (to a point...because that can open new wounds too). What has brought you together to start out with? For my organizations it was children and foreclosure prevention. Again, we can all come together in some way not as white, not as black and not as hispanic, but to change things.

I often wonder the same thing. My grandmother has always had this bias against Mexicans from a perception of "them" taking over our neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio. To this day, she makes snide comments and truly doesn't think they are racist because she is a "minority" herself.

Unfortunately, I think there will always be a human tendency to "other" certain groups of people so we can have a sense of superiority. I don't know that complete unity will ever be possible, but I am hopeful that we will be able to help each other shift our mindsets, one person at a time.

I was curious to know what social areas should we be focusing on? Many individuals mention they'd like to start a Nonprofit which is ok but should we be coming together and utilizing our resources more effectively? Everyone has a passion but I think some things are more pressing than others. I personally have a passion for young girls and women in the African American community as well as homelessness.

Jaime

That's a tough question! I think everyone thinks their cause is the most important of all. Personally, I have a passion for lots of different causes and I'm starting to see how they are all intertwined. For instance, you can't really solve homelessness without dealing with hunger, mental illness, job training and affordable housing issues. So I try to keep my toes in every arena of social change. I don't, however, think everyone needs to start a nonprofit for their cause! There are such limited resources for funding new projects that it's much better to join an existing effort.

I am involved with an organization, The Peace Alliance, whose main mission is advocating for the creation of a Cabinet Level of the Executive Branch, Dept. of Peace (to work alongside the Dept. of Defense). The Dept. of Peace would research, articulate and facilitate nonviolent solutions to domestic and international conflicts. Too much detail to give you here as to HOW this will be done. I just wanted to make the point that this Cabinet, once it comes into existence (currently the bill is HR 808) will address the ROOT CAUSES of violence and utilize evidence-based policies and programs to eradicate it, over time. Why this is a historical piece of legislation, if it's not obvious, is because, as Rosetta mentioned, everything is connected in some way. One of the main endeavors of the Cabinet is to introduce curriculum in the schools, such as NonViolent Communication, Character Building, etc... programs that will inspire critical thinking, socially responsible human beings. I used to feel overwhelmed, wondering how I could possibly make a difference to the homelessness situation, animal abuse, school bullying, elderly abuse, domestic violence, et al and now, through focusing on the passage of this miraculous piece of legislation, I now believe I am on the pulse of helping most of society's ills.