|
|
PRG Hero Story Special Feature - East Bay Center for Performing Arts
|
|
|
PRG's monthly newsletter provides updates, practical tools, resources and information for our valued community.
|
|
|
What. A. Month.
An election where the stakes were never higher has epitomized our country’s diversity and inequity. We repudiate white supremacy yet vote against furthering affirmative action. We restore dignity to the bully pulpit yet question the morality of the “other side.” And were it not for communities of color, our election outcome would have been decidedly different.
This month our newsletter features the third in a series on DEI – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – by PRG’s DEI specialist, Amira Barger. Why is PRG, a fundraising consultancy, focused on DEI? Because the nonprofit and public sectors have fallen behind in DEI work when we actually should be leading. After all, PRG’s client agencies (and nearly all organizations!) exist to address fundamental inequities in our communities. Being more diverse, equitable and inclusive makes for better, more effective organizations. If that weren’t enough, it’s simply the right thing to do.
Plus, this month we spotlight below yet another organization doing heroic work in the COVID era and introduce one of PRG’s newest associates.
And this month especially – we give thanks!
Elliot Levin, PRG Founder
|
|
|
PRG Featured Article - 3rd in the DEI Series
|
|
|
|
DEI - What is the Measure?
by Amira Barger, PRG Associate
“In the years I have been here, nice has not translated into upward mobility, pay equity, or new opportunities.”
We are the “nice” sector. Nice nonprofits, made up of nice people, doing nice things and putting nice into the world. I’m sorry to be the one to tell you, but “nice” simply isn’t enough. It doesn’t move us towards the change we need. There is no accountability in nice. It is not the measure.
Incremental change is nice. It is gentle and slow. But incremental change by nice people, no matter how well-intentioned, will not overcome the deliberate harm and exclusion wrought on the communities that we as a sector exist to serve – and even the harm being done within our own organizations. I am saddened, though not surprised, by the number of conversations that I have had of late regarding experiences that people are having where nice is not getting the job done. A few examples from my network across the nonprofit sector:
- My boss is nice and says nice things about me. But…In the years I have been here, nice has not translated into upward mobility, pay equity, or new opportunities.
- My advocacy group has fought for the rights of Black residents in our city and encountered opposition from nice folks who deem our efforts to be futile and divisive. They did not shout or call names, because we are a nice city. But…nice has not translated into safety for Black residents, a seat on city council, or opportunity to be in “the room where it happens”.
- I had a nice board member ask how I managed to make my way into my current role. They were nice in their tone and mannerisms, nice enough to not stir a reaction from others in the room who heard it. But…nice has not translated into action from our board on crafted DEI programs, intentional understanding of the communities we serve, or any ounce of belief that someone young, gifted and Black could have actually earned their way.
Read more about the five steps we can each take to work towards our organizations being more than nice – and truly accountable.
|
|
|
PRG Special - Heroes Among Us
|
|
|
Hero Highlight - The Show Must Go On!
The East Bay Center for the Performing Arts ( the “Center”) in Richmond, CA has long been a client of PRG. The Center provides access to the arts to over 4,000 kids ages 3 – 18 through instruction in dance, music, theater and digital arts. Historically, instruction is done in both in the schools in Richmond, as well as at EBCPA’s beautiful site in the historic Winter’s Building in downtown Richmond.
Reaching nearly 9 months into COVID, we are thrilled with their abilities to support their many student families and their move to a virtual instruction model to keep the youth in Richmond performing and dancing, maintaining their expressive outlets to inspire during these difficult times. During this unprecedented year, the Center also went above and beyond to find support for basic living essentials.
Rapid Program Pivot
When COVID hit, the Center recognized quickly staff had to rethink their approach in order to continue their services. Miraculously, within a week or so, 90% of their programs and services were converted into a virtual educational platform. It was a steep learning curve for the staff and faculty with regards to technology, and the transition, while short, was not without its bumps. The team worked diligently to get faculty set up to be able to work from home, and students were supported and educated on how they were going to receive instruction from home. The local schools did their best to get laptops to students in need, and the Center set up times for students to safely pick up instruments they would be borrowing for the foreseeable future.
|
|
|
|
Please welcome Ashley Atkins as PRG’s newest addition to our team. Ashley enjoys helping organizations find their voice, create conversation around stories with impact, and foster change through intentional communications that drive action.
Read Ashley's Bio
|
|
|
|
|
|
