AWAKE to WOKE to WORK: Building a Race Equity Culture

In a sector focused on improving social outcomes across a wide range of issues, we need only look within our own organizations to understand why we have not yet achieved the depth of change we seek. Throughout the social sector, there remains a glaring omission of a fundamental element of social impact: race equity. While issue-specific dynamics play an important role in driving social impact (e.g., public policy around affordable housing or the elimination of food deserts to create access to nutritious foods), the thread of structural racism runs through almost every issue faced by the U.S. social sector. Race equity must be centered as a core goal of social impact across the sector in order to achieve our true potential and fulfill our organizational missions.

Supported by the Annie E. Casey, W.K. Kellogg, Ford, Kresge, Hewlett, Packard, and Meyer foundations, the report identifies seven "levers" that can help build momentum at every stage toward a race equity culture: senior leadership, management, board of directors, community, learning environment, data, and organizational culture. The report also outlines steps for getting started, including establishing a shared vocabulary, identifying advocates at the board and senior leadership levels, and naming race equity work as a strategic imperative and opening a continuous discussion around it.