Giving Compass' Take:

• Jeff Raikes, co-founder of the Raikes Foundation, discusses how white people need to understand their privilege and power in America and pursue more open and honest conversations about racial justice. 

 • How are philanthropic leaders dismantling systems that are oppressive toward people of color? Are there opportunities in your area to address racial justice issues? 

• Learn more about how a color-blind approach hinders progress toward social equity in schools. 

Jeff Raikes, Co-Founder of The Raikes Foundation, on getting uncomfortable, listening, and what leaders in philanthropy need to do to advance equity and justice.

Jeff Raikes: This is a quick talk to white people. Now let me, explain. I first met Darren Walker, right after he became head of the Ford Foundation when I was still CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. I felt an immediate connection, but our deeper friendship developed a few years ago when we shared the stage with Michele Norris at the Aspen Ideas Festival. Darren, Michele and I were talking about race, and in particular, philanthropy needed to ditch this color-blind approach that was and is still so prevalent in the field and more broadly in society. It was really a fascinating conversation and toward the end of the conversation, Darren said something to this effect," when I see a bunch of guys that look like Jeff, driving around in a golf cart in Dallas, having this very same conversation that we're having on the Aspen stage, I'll know that we've won."

The crowd cracked up. But that comment stuck with me. And Darren has repeatedly reminded me since then, that if we are to have an open and honest conversation about racial justice that will lead to healing and inclusive prosperity, white people like me have a big role to play, and we cannot be coy about it. I needed to get over my fears of saying the wrong thing or saying the right thing in the wrong way and just jump in. And I still have a lot to learn.

Read the full article about racial justice by the Ford Foundation.