Greetings! Last month I wrote about why I care about racism. It sparked interesting conversations with colleagues and some work in this area, which has me excited to tell you about what's happening this month. Thank you for reading the newsletters.
I believe that if we're going to condition leaders for today's world, we must be confident and competent to lead in lieu of equity, inclusion and power. Powerful, effective 21st century leaders are skilled to navigate these interpersonal and structural dynamics ensuring equitable policies and relationships no matter the work sector in which one travels. This month I want to highlight a client of mine doing cutting edge work in the area of racial healing and reconciliation,
Coming to the Table (CTTT). As quoted on their website, CTTT provides leadership, resources, and a supportive environment for all who wish to acknowledge and heal the wounds from racism rooted in the United States' history of slavery. Their approach involves four interrelated practices:
1. Uncovering History: researching, acknowledging,
and sharing personal, family and community
histories of race with openness and honesty.
2. Making Connections: connecting to others within
and across racial lines in order to develop and
deepen relationships.
3. Working toward Healing: exploring how we can
heal together through dialogue, reunion, ritual,
ceremony, the arts, apology and other methods.
4. Taking Action: actively seeking to heal the wounds
of racial inequality and injustice and to support
racial reconciliation between individuals, within
families, and in communities.
Their vision is for the United States to be a just and truthful society that acknowledges and seeks to heal from the racial wounds of the past-from slavery and the many forms of racism it spawned.
In the words of Jim Collins,
this a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) of the highest order. Spending two days with their board this past Spring was inspiring. The love in the room, the humor and ability to have tough conversations in a mixed race group addressing the legacy of slavery is rare at best. CTTT has figured out how to help people drop into their center and dialogue about painful pasts and undiscovered futures. They host a conference every other year for anyone who wants to learn about racial healing and learn how to do reconciliation work. It has been an honor to help them develop their next three year strategic plan. Be sure to check out their website
here.
There are a number of other exciting efforts happening in my professional circles as well. Here's a few of note:
Action for Regional Equity's Equity Summit will be held on December 5 and 6th in Dorchester, MA. Come and explore the intersection of race and class with a variety of issues: public housing, health inequities, low wages, environmental hazards, etc.
Leadership New England Survey: An initiative of Third Sector New England Are you a nonprofit executive or board member? You are invited to participate in a
regional study of nonprofit leadership in New England. Third Sector New England, in partnership with foundations and other nonprofits, is compiling a new report on the state-of-the-state of leadership in our region.
Click here to take the
Leadership New England survey and learn more about the initiative. Don't miss your chance to take part in this initiative that will provide an important analysis of the current reality and shifting leadership needs of the sector. Go to
here today and fill out the survey by November 26th.
Finally my colleague, Maura Wolf, at
Inbalance Coaching has just completed her second book.
What Matters Most: Everyday Leadership at Home, at Work, and in the World. It's inspiring to read. You can buy it
here or at
www.amazon.com.
I hope that your Fall includes healing and reconciliation in any aspect of your life and organization where it matters most. We will all benefit.
Happy Halloween.
Best,
