At their core, nonprofits exist to build community around important missions. That community needs to be one defined by equity and belonging, where everyone is welcome and seen. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah talk with Roo Qallaq Ramos about racism and nonprofits and what we can do to build equitable communities.
Roo Ramos is an equity consultant based in Spokane, Washington. She is Iñupiaq (Alaska Native) and a survivor of the educational system, the juvenile justice system, and the child welfare system. Tara works on racial equity in the very systems she experienced. In 2020, Tara opened her own consulting firm called Redfox Consulting to help organizations across the spectrum build their cultural and racial awareness.
Questions to reflect on before you listen:
How does equity and racism connect with your mission and the community you have around that mission?
Discussion questions:
- What resonated with you about this conversation? What would you like to take back to your organization?
- Roo defines some key words: racism, implicit bias, and other terms. How would you define those words?
- What can you do to see more diversity around you?
- How could you bring this conversation to your board or staff to further conversation?