Giving Compass' Take:

• Stanford Social Innovation Review discusses how best to acknowledge privilege and power imbalances in our society, then gives us some steps to change things in a more permanent way.

• One of the key steps here is an emphasis on collaboration, not domination. We must examine and push back against any tendencies at seeing ourselves as the "saviors."

• Here's more about exploring power and privilege in the funding landscape.

Acknowledging intersectionality — the reality that we live within a system of overlapping and interdependent privileges and disadvantages — is a first step toward truly addressing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). But how can we make acknowledging intersectionality a practice, and not just a conversation? We can start by making relatively simple changes that center our work at the intersection of race, gender, sexual orientation, ableism, and implicit bias. Here are some practical ways to begin.

  • Start with systems, not individual responsibility.
  • Understand that not every space is for everyone.
  • Use power and privilege to challenge bias.
  • Collaborate, don’t dominate.
  • Follow new leaders.
  • Say no so that others have the opportunity to say yes.

Read the full article about practical ideas in improving equity at nonprofits by Emily Teitsworth at Stanford Social Innovation Review.