Defending and Advancing Democracy and Equity in Collective Impact Work

Collaboratives based in the U.S. that are working to solve for and reduce disparities in their communities are facing compounding challenges with the current chaotic sociopolitical climate, including sudden funding cuts, mass job losses, mis- and disinformation campaigns, demoralizing messaging from national leaders and those they have deputized, and vigorous attacks on both equity and democracy.

When everything seems to be coming down at once—overwhelming by intention, it feels like a tsunami of Executive Orders, department directives, and social media missives that range the spectrum from unprofessional to potentially illegal (or “extralegal”). The current context feels confounding. What do we do? What can we do?

In a candid and grounded podcast conversation that is both sobering and hopeful, Collective Impact Forum senior advisor Junious Williams talks with Erika Bernabei and Theo Miller (Equity & Results) about this current chaotic time for U.S. collective impact initiatives.

Together, they discuss:

• What it means to assess and mitigate risks right now—individually and organizationally;
• How organizations with more power or flexibility can provide cover and protect others, and how important it is to not “obey in advance.”
• The need for honest conversations amongst partners, including if you have a shared understanding around organization ethics and mission;
• The critical importance of storytelling to counter misinformation and support vulnerable communities;
• How to analyze the current context amidst overwhelming noise;
• How to identify both defensive and offensive strategies to protect and advance equity within the work. (Even if you can’t say “equity” right now at your job.)

Resources and Footnotes

• Equity & Results
• Junious Williams Consulting, LLC
• Responding to Threats and Changes Planning Tool
• Reckoning with the U.S. Election: 10 Reflections and Recommendations for Collective Impact Networks
• Core Principles to Support Anti-Racism in Collective Impact
• DEI, advocacy, and legal resources collected by Junious Williams

More on Collective Impact

• Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
• Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0. 

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/