It's Time for White Women to Step Up for Racial Justice
White women everywhere are finally hearing the call of their BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) sisters to step up for racial justice. But joining book groups, amplifying Black voices on social media, and teaching their kids to be anti-racist is not enough. It’s time for white women to step up at work for BIPOC women who are far more likely to be paid less, silenced or discounted by men, and suffer abuses such as sexual harassment. From developing authentic relationships to sharing insider knowledge only available to them, “woke” white women have inordinate power to create change through the advocacy and support of BIPOC women. In this session, participants will explore the legacy of white supremacy in women’s relationships, unpack the barriers that keep white women from supporting Black women, and identify specific actions that will move beyond performative to true activism.
Contributors
ALEXIS KANDA-OLMSTEAD
Alexis Kanda-Olmstead serves as the Director of Advancement Talent Management at Dartmouth College where she helps people maximize their potential to achieve organizational priorities. Alexis believes people should be engaged by their work and have the opportunity for continuous growth and development. Her responsibilities include shaping the overarching strategy for talent management, coaching leaders and supervisors, and designing training and professional development programs for more than 250 staff.
During her 20+ years of experience in higher education, Alexis has delivered educational experiences to hundreds of staff and students, led award-winning diversity and inclusion initiatives, and started two talent management departments. She is the founder of the Amplify Women and Gender Initiative, a professional development program for women in Advancement, and AKO Collective, a women's leadership development company that offers training to women and girls. Alexis presents internationally on topics of gender inclusion and equity, including as a TEDx Speaker.
Alexis holds a bachelor's degree in organizational studies from the University of Michigan, a master's degree in college student personnel from Bowling Green State University, and a certificate in organization development from Colorado State University. She is a certified StrengthsQuest Educator and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Practitioner.
BRIANNA BOGGS
Brianna Boggs is an independent coach and consultant focused on supporting executives and boards of directors through leadership challenges. She focuses on racial equity (dismantling white supremacy culture, supporting leaders of color in white-founded organizations, helping white leadership build tolerance for racial stress, preparing organizations for transition) and fundraising (building skills, confidence, and creative strategies; responsibly transitioning funding relationships from founders to new leaders)
As co-founder and co-facilitator of the Racial Equity Leaders Learning Circle, Brianna developed the curriculum and facilitates a 10-month cohort for nonprofit senior leaders seeking to dig deeply into the personal side of leadership on racial equity and implement new practices to improve their organizations.
Prior to her coaching and consulting work, Brianna’s career focused on fundraising and communications in social justice organizations including GLAD (GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders) where she is currently Director of Development at the 40-year-old impact litigation organization. As Director of Development and Communications at Trinity Boston Connects, she led public-facing strategies for the organization’s work to unlock opportunity for youth of color in Boston. As Development Manager for StreetSafe Boston at The Boston Foundation, Brianna led fundraising for a gang violence intervention strategy aimed at reducing homicide amongst the most active gangs in the city and, through counseling and job training, providing young people a way up and a way out.