WHAT THE FUNDRAISING
130: Board Transformation from Resistance to Inclusion with Christal Cherry and Renee Rubin Ross
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“And so if we want to change, we actually need to realize that it’s often on the subconscious level.”
– Dr. Renee Rubin Ross
Episode #130
Overview
In this episode of What the Fundraising Podcast…
In this episode of What the Fundraising, we get to talk to consultants Christal Cherry and Dr. Renee Rubin Ross who tackle the pervasive racism and white supremacy culture within nonprofit boards.
Christal M. Cherry is an accomplished board consultant and the driving force behind The Board Pro. Based in Atlanta, Christal is passionate about assisting nonprofits nationwide in building stronger, more effective boards. Her work in the DEI space led her to collaborate with Dr. Renee Rubin Ross, a strategic planning facilitator, and the person in charge of Cal State East Bay’s Nonprofit Management Certificate program.
With their shared passion for fostering diversity and inclusion, Christal and Renee tackle complex DEI issues within nonprofit boards. In this conversation they share how they often navigate resistance from board members uncomfortable with discussing white supremacy culture and biases. However, through patience and open dialogue, they witness transformative shifts in mindsets and behaviors. Christal and Renee emphasized the importance of transparency and personal reflection within organizations. Their approach encouraged boards to recognize their individual and collective responsibilities in creating diverse and inclusive environments. Through these experiences, the duo are powerful advocates for change within the nonprofit world, displaying the power of empathy and genuine understanding in making a real difference.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
- Introducing Christal M. Cherry and Dr. Renee Rubin Ross
- The Problem with Board Diversity
- Overcoming Resistance
- Setting Expectations for Change
- Embracing Uncomfortable Conversations
- Building Trust and Honesty
- Establishing Safety in Unsafe Environments
- Tokenizing People of Color
- Early Warning Signs
- Formal Practices, Informal Practices, and Equity
- Pushback Against DEI Efforts
- Addressing Uncomfortable Conversations
- Setting Attainable Goals
- Bridging Across Different Backgrounds
- Changing Board Leadership Practices
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Christal M. Cherry
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Dr. Renee Rubin Ross
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- The Ross Collective
- Our Board Training
- What we’ve learned
- Practices for equitable board recruitment
- Importance of talking about race
- Many thanks to our sponsor, Givebutter for making this episode possible. Our friends at Givebutter really understand what it takes to be a magnetic fundraiser. Their fundraising platform empowers millions of changemakers to raise more, pay less, and give better every single day. To learn more about them, head on over to givebutter.com/mallory.
- If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link.
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TIPS AND TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT TODAY
- Prioritize building a culture of equity and diversity within your nonprofit by implementing new practices and approaches, such as active listening and open, caring conversations about race and other identities.
- Practice self-care during uncomfortable conversations and know that it's okay to take a break if needed.
- Use group agreements to set the tone for respectful and judgment-free conversations.
- When faced with resistance or discomfort, remember that it's an opportunity to learn and grow, and to push through with responsibility to repair any mistakes.
- Model honesty and respect in cross-race team collaborations to create a positive impact outward to the group.
FAVORITE QUOTES
- "You can't change without some discomfort." - Christal M. Cherry
- "And so if we want to change, we actually need to realize that it's often on the subconscious level." - Dr. Renee Rubin Ross
- “We need to build an antiracist society that we don't yet have.” - Dr. Renee Rubin Ross
- “We want you to be a great listener and not a great knower. You think you know everything, but be respectful of other people's experiences, even if they're not your own.” - Christal M. Cherry
- “Research has shown that if you are able to talk about race or disability or whatever identities people might have that are outside of power and you're able to have an open, caring, affirmative conversation about people's differences, people feel more seen.” - Dr. Renee Rubin Ross
- "We don't promise people that as a result of working with us for three to six months, that after the six months, in one day everyone's going to be completely changed." - Christal M. Cherry
- “How do we hold this vision where people of all different backgrounds can thrive? That's really it.” - Dr. Renee Rubin Ross
- "We have two different, very different backgrounds and very two different ways of thinking and seeing the world. But we respect each other's ways." - Christal M. Cherry
- "Doing your own work and reflection as an individual [is critical], either before or while you're working with your board." - Christal M. Cherry
- "If you're really serious about this, if you're really committed, you're going to have to be willing to eat losses." - Christal M. Cherry
RELATED CONTENT
Get to know Christal M. Cherry:
Christal M. Cherry, The Board Pro, worked 23 years as a nonprofit fundraiser serving higher education institutions, seminaries, and human service organizations. Now as a board consultant for nonprofits, she equips and empowers boards to support their missions and change the world. Her services as Principal and CEO of the Board Pro, include recruitment, governance, fundraising, conflict resolution and diversity, equity, inclusion, access and belonging.
Get to know Renee Rubin Ross:
Dr. Renee Rubin Ross is a nationally recognized strategic planning and board development consultant. Committed to racial equity in the nonprofit sector, Dr. Ross supports organizations and individuals in practices that celebrate and amplify diverse voices and perspectives.
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I teach nonprofit fundraisers to bring in more gifts from the RIGHT donors… so they can stop hounding people for money. Fundraising doesn’t have to be uncomfortable.
- CEO & Creator of the Power Partners Formula™
- Disruptor in the funding sector, changing lives everyday
- Relentlessly committed to the movement of money into the nonprofit sector
- Focused on win-win partnerships that allow fundraisers to be authentic and empowered in their work
- Over 15 years working in nonprofits (managing director and ED of multiple fast-growth organizations)
MALLORY ERICKSON
