130: Board Transformation from Resistance to Inclusion with Christal Cherry and Renee Rubin Ross

In this episode of What the Fundraising, we get to talk to consultants Christal Cherry and Dr. Renee Rubin Ross who tackle the pervasive racism and white supremacy culture within nonprofit boards.

Christal M. Cherry is an accomplished board consultant and the driving force behind The Board Pro. Based in Atlanta, Christal is passionate about assisting nonprofits nationwide in building stronger, more effective boards. Her work in the DEI space led her to collaborate with Dr. Renee Rubin Ross, a strategic planning facilitator, and the person in charge of Cal State East Bay's Nonprofit Management Certificate program. 

With their shared passion for fostering diversity and inclusion, Christal and Renee tackle complex DEI issues within nonprofit boards. In this conversation they share how they often navigate resistance from board members uncomfortable with discussing white supremacy culture and biases. However, through patience and open dialogue, they witness transformative shifts in mindsets and behaviors. Christal and Renee emphasized the importance of transparency and personal reflection within organizations. Their approach encouraged boards to recognize their individual and collective responsibilities in creating diverse and inclusive environments. Through these experiences, the duo are powerful advocates for change within the nonprofit world, displaying the power of empathy and genuine understanding in making a real difference.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Grasp the crucial role of DEI in fostering robust and effective nonprofit board leadership.
• Identify micro- and macro-aggressions in board environments that hinder a respectful and inclusive culture.
• Explore innovative approaches for achieving diversity and inclusion on boards, leading to enriched decision-making.
• Recognize the importance of listening to and validating all board members for a more cohesive and functional organization.
• Embrace change and challenge the status quo to facilitate progressive board transformations.

Get all the resources from today’s episode here. 

Many thanks to our sponsor, Givebutter for making this episode possible. Our friends at Givebutter really understand what it takes to be a magnetic fundraiser. Their fundraising platform empowers millions of changemakers to raise more, pay less, and give better every single day. To learn more about them, head on over to givebutter.com/mallory.

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