If you are not familiar with the blue avocado blog, here is a good reason to get to know it. This article was published back in May. When I finally got to it, I realized it was a treasure. Jan Masaoka brings points forth of real value, even if you are not a woman executive of color. It also created some controversy but that indicates the issues are real.

I like the very first paragraph of her list of “ten things”:

“1. Note to funders: Give us (unrestricted) money. Give us the chance to experiment, to make mistakes, to sleep at night, to take the time to nurture leaders within our organizations. At one meeting of about 30 women executive directors of color, we talked about what we might ask for as a group. Should we ask a foundation for a special speaker? For a weekend at a retreat center? For a facilitator? For tuitions to expensive leadership development programs? After a long pause, one woman spoke up: ‘Give us money.’”

This blog is about trends in funding social justice work but it is also how we live in a context of relationships. 

I am going to tantalize you with one more paragraph title from the blue avocado article:

“9. Cultural competency includes working successfully with obnoxious people from privileged backgrounds and positions...” 

Read the whole article “Ten Things I Learned About Leadership from Women Executives of Color” and the comments that followed.  

Posted by Walter Davis, Executive Director, National Organizers Alliance