Just as I was transitioning to my new role as vice president of programs at Independent Sector, I also had the privilege to attend the Community Development for Liberation Gathering in Charleston, South Carolina, in October. Hosted by the CEO Circle of Color, this convening brought together nearly 60 community development leaders of color from across the country to share knowledge and build capacity — connecting those who seek to build safe, healthy, and affordable communities and foster equitable outcomes for all, even in the face of increasing political and cultural attacks.
Over two days, I and other attendees discussed the current political landscape, addressed key issues in housing and equity, and shared ideas for innovative approaches the charitable sector can use to uplift the communities we serve.
As we navigate political and cultural environments that devalue the voices of people of color, it is more important than ever to build strong bonds and networks among those who seek local change to uplift historically disinvested communities. This is one of the driving forces behind the CEO Circle of Color convenings. They are more than just conferences — they’re opportunities for leaders of color to receive peer support, share success stories, and build knowledge in the community development field.
Together, we can do more — which is why Independent Sector and its member organizations will be crucial in advancing racial equity by leveraging the charitable sector’s collective influence and resources to drive systemic change.
A focus on housing justice
Charleston sits at the intersection of a history rich in the Black American experience and a future full of opportunities for growth and revitalization, making it the ideal place to gather and discuss the past, present, and future of community development.
One of the pillars of developing an equitable community is promoting homeownership. Historically inequitable structures make it difficult for Black and Hispanic households to own a home — and build generational wealth in the process. In the opening plenary session, “Scenario Planning Around the Election: Working Now to Prepare for What’s Next,” leaders from a wide range of organizations discussed the political landscape and shared opportunities to advance racial equity in an uncertain future. Panelists discussed how equitable community development will require concerted efforts that lift up the people and communities left behind by historical policies and systemic discrimination.
And on the second day of the convening, Namon Freeman of Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consulting group, discussed housing goals set by the City of Charleston to address the rising cost of living and close the racial homeownership gap. The city’s goals, supported by Bloomberg Associates, include creating 3,500 new affordable homes, catalyzing $800 million in affordable housing investment, and reducing homelessness by 25%. For the city to succeed, it will need to build the necessary coalitions and the political will to enact policy change to properly resource its housing initiatives.
New tools, shared goals
While many of the obstacles to achieving housing equity are decades, even centuries, old, we also turned our attention to newer issues at the convening. Artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay, and we spent time looking at AI and its uses through the lens of equity, justice, and inclusion.
We discussed how organizations are using AI to further their missions, such as the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA), which uses AI to find — and litigate against — violations of civil rights laws. The potential for AI to positively impact the charitable sector is high, but it will be necessary to advocate for smart policies and regulations at the state and federal levels to ensure it’s used ethically. This includes protections for data privacy and implementing programs that prevent bias in AI algorithms. By engaging with policymakers and other stakeholders, Independent Sector can lead the national conversation on the impact of AI in the social sector through several key avenues: advocacy and policy development, education and capacity building, research and thought leadership, and strategic partnerships.
We also looked to the future in a panel entitled “New Economies: Reimagining Economic Models for America.” Many nonprofit leaders share an understanding that today’s economy prioritizes growth and profit over human well-being, a priority that must shift if we want to achieve an equitable future. Panelists discussed how a shared economic policy agenda can help orient the sector around a “north star.” In a time when many nonprofits are struggling to execute their missions, having shared goals and priorities can help the charitable sector do the most good.
One of the most important roles we at Independent Sector can play in making some of these systemic changes happen is advocating for equitable policies and practices at the national level. Using our platforms to influence public policy, we can help ensure that legislation and regulations affecting nonprofits help to promote fairness and justice for all communities.
Building power through community
The CEO Circles of Color convening wasn’t just an opportunity to discuss solutions to pressing challenges in the sector: It was also a chance for leaders to recharge and be in community with each other. It can be lonely at the top for Black and brown leaders. When we establish strong connections and support networks to lift each other up, we improve our collective ability to serve our communities and take care of our organizations. Especially in a time when one in five nonprofit workers struggle financially, it’s more important than ever to support the development and well-being of the people who power this sector, including those who lead it.
The event also underscored the urgency of addressing community development challenges, especially in underserved areas. All attendees were firmly committed to working toward sustainable solutions and advocating for policies that support community growth and resilience — and the innovative approaches shared demonstrated that there are many ways to tackle complex issues effectively.
Overall, I left the event feeling a strong sense of optimism and inspiration. The discussions highlighted the incredible potential for positive change when communities come together with a shared vision. There was a palpable sense of empowerment among participants as they shared stories of successful community initiatives and the impact of grassroots efforts, and it was clear that people and organizations can drive significant progress when they collaborate.
I’m eager to see how the ideas we discussed in October play out in organizations nationwide in the months and years to come, and I look forward to the next opportunity for passionate, committed leaders of color to come together and catalyze change.
Dr. Rashid Mosley is Independent Sector’s vice president of programs.
