Growing up, service wasn’t just a value in my household — it was baked into every part of my life. My dad served our country in the military, and my mom was a nurse who taught us the importance of giving back through her volunteer efforts at church and in our community. Being raised and mentored by an incredible Black woman taught me the meaning of resilience, service, and how to lead with purpose. This is why I stand in the gap for people, especially those who are working every day to make the world a better place. And it’s why I’m immensely proud to be a Black woman in leadership.
As chief diversity officer for Bonterra, I’m proud to exist in this time, at this place — a tech company still committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We serve the social good organizations that drive world progress, many of them run by people like me — who thrive despite the barriers the system enforces. But imagine the progress we could create if we all supported the people driving the social good ecosystem. If allies concentrated efforts toward BIPOC-led and Black women-led organizations, we could move mountains.
Despite the persistent barriers we face as a demographic, we continue to thrive. Black women are among the most educated demographic in the U.S. Black women are consistently shaping progress and building inclusive systems for others. In fact, while we only make up 1.6% of executive leadership in Fortune 500 companies, BIPOC women account for 14% of executive leadership in large nonprofits.
When elected officials choose to slash social programs that protect and uplift the most vulnerable, it’s on us — the communities — to support each other and maintain the foundation of human dignity. This means that nonprofit organizations, and the people that run them, need extra momentum in the next four years and beyond.
Here’s how I plan to support them, and how you can, too.
3 steps to assisting Black women on the road to progress
For allies of Black women, there are myriad organizations you can support to help us thrive. But if you want to support the women doing the work within nonprofits to elevate the social good space, here are my top three pieces of advice:
1. Prioritize unrestricted funding
Let nonprofit leaders do their job. Give them the autonomy to allocate those resources where they’re most needed and when they see fit. The Nonprofit Finance Fund found that white-led nonprofits were almost twice as likely to receive unrestricted grants than BIPOC-led organizations. This is why trust-based philanthropy matters, so that funding may be more accessible to organizations that may not fit the typical model that is more often awarded funding. The Trust-Based Philanthropy Project provides great tips for funders, like streamlining paperwork and providing multi-year funding to foster innovation. This practice also works to address systemic barriers that keep deserving and needed organizations from receiving the resources they need.
2. Amplify their work
Use your platforms and networks to spotlight the impact that Black women in nonprofits are having and invite others to join that cause. What missions matter the most do you, and where do you feel called to support? Kimberly Woodard is the executive director of the Stillman Foundation at Stillman College, a Historically Black College (HBCU). Her team recently had great success with their annual fundraising campaign in large part to those in the community amplifying, sharing, and participating in their outreach. This will have positive impacts on students for years to come. “Amplifying the transformative work of Stillman College is essential because we help students achieve dreams that might otherwise be out of reach,” she says. “For young Black women aspiring to leadership, this means breaking barriers and inspiring others. As a Black woman in leadership and vice president of institutional advancement, I’m committed to ensuring Stillman’s story creates a ripple effect that fuels bold action and investment in education.”
3. Advocate for change
Work for and vote for policies that are going to positively impact the communities that Black women serve. Your advocacy leads to improved outcomes for the issues that affect many marginalized communities. Kimberly Gray is the director of strategic partnerships for Maternal Mental Health Now in Los Angeles. Their work has positively impacted hundreds of healthcare workers and parents. Advocates help accelerate their efforts. “Working for and voting for policies that support Black birthing people is essential to addressing health inequities in Los Angeles,” says Kimberly. “By advocating for systemic change and investing in the expertise of Black birth workers, we can create a healthcare system that truly serves marginalized communities with culturally responsive, holistic, and equitable care.”
Let’s rise together
In the past few decades, we’ve witnessed firsthand how technology can power social good. But we’ve also seen how misinformation and hate can spread faster than ever before. As we move forward, tech leaders must be stewards of how these tools are used ethically — and social good leaders can use them to make waves of change.
On the road to progress, we must stay the course. Continue to champion the marginalized groups. Celebrate the doers of good. Look for the helpers, but don’t just see them- support them. In the years to come, we will rely on the grit that has sustained us from our country’s very founding — knowing that mutual support and community are the foundations for our ability to thrive. But enduring, impactful change requires that all of us work together, regardless of how we identify. Like Maya Angelou said, “Nothing will work unless you do.” In honor of all those who set the path, let’s keep up the work.
