The Time Is Now
Over the past few years, months, and weeks prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have filled our lives with the busyness of various things that compete for our attention. We have sleepily navigated life, glossing over what has been bubbling to the surface for quite some time.
These past few days, our country has been fiercely shaken out of our slumber. It took us all “sheltering-in-place” to become an undistracted, captive audience member viewing the continued senseless loss of Black lives to be awakened. Everyone’s attention has been reframed to these pressing events and issues.
The time is now.
I compel us all to commit (and recommit) our duty to do better within ourselves, our neighborhoods, the nonprofits we represent, and those we are responsible for serving. We are obligated to authentically learn about our history, to learn how to have uncomfortable conversations around race with one another, and within our organizations. Having these conversations in the workplace is absolutely appropriate and necessary. It’s the absence of these discussions that has led us to where we are in this present moment. For as long as there is systemic racism, sexism, ageism and countless other “isms” within our nonprofits, we are called to intentionally response to their painful outcries and have these tough discussions.
The time is now.
We cannot and will not miss this moment. We must make a hard pivot from just talking about diversity but towards implementing just, practical strategies that dismantle inequities for our staffs and those we serve. It’s time we do the tough work. I urge you all to no longer be silent. We cannot continue to operate within the perimeters of our comfort zones. The sector needs us all to be better!
The time is now.
Leadership Consultant | Pharmacy Educator | Coach
3yLove this! The time is NOW! What is living under the surface must be brought into the light! It takes real COURAGE to do the tough work, BOLDNESS to call it out, and FAITH to grow through it because to do so will require a sacrifice. #growinthroughit #blacklivesmatter #humanizebeingblack #antiracism #diversitymatters #endthesilence
Director, Operations and Leisure Travel Programs at Vai Travel
3yThis is not a cause; this is a revolution. When I was growing up in the 1960s I heard the words of Robert F Kennedy to the youth of South Africa in 1966. Even as a child it unknowingly guided my career to international development. Salima, your moral leadership is needed at this time in this place. I paraphrase RFK here..."The future does not belong to those who are content with today, apathetic toward common problems and their fellow man alike, timid and fearful in the face of bold projects and new ideas. Rather, it will belong to those who can blend passion, reason and courage in a personal commitment to [their] ideals.”
National Associate Director of Program, Year Up, Inc. | Agile | ScrumMaster | DEIB Practitioner
3yOpportunity!
Ms. Black USA 2020 & 2021 at Miss Black USA Scholarship Organization
3yThank goodness for professional Black women like yourself who have the knowledge base and expertise to be leaders in the field. May your voice be amplified!
CEO | Attorney | Board Member | Board Consultant | Certified in VUCA Leadership | Working to B-IDEAL (DEI+) Startups & Scaling
3yI’m definitely looking at action items for this time. I’m helping a youngster in my town start a Black Lives Matter chapter and strategizing on how to make demands of our government officials that will result in greater equity, equality, and quality of life for Black people (and thereby other PoC). What steps are you all committing to?