Our Collective Call to Action for Race Equity
Recognizing the Covid-19 pandemic’s disproportionate impact on minority communities and our current awakening around the issues of racial and social injustice, Together SC is undertaking an aggressive approach to educating, empowering and equipping nonprofit leaders to tackle systemic racial inequities, within their communities and within their organizations.
Building upon our successful 2020 Summit…Facing Race Together…Together SC is offering a variety of programs in order to target individuals wherever they are on their race equity journey and to allow for safe-spaces for authentic conversations.
In designing our programming we recognize that the heavy burden of this work, personal and institutional, should not be placed on our Black colleagues. Many of our white colleagues have much to learn before they can take effective action on race equity, This is the reason Removing Our Blinders and the Racial Equity Lens Cohort are specifically iintended for white nonprofit leaders.
However, we also recognize that in order to be successsul with our Facing Race Together efforts, we ultimately must work together. Together SC plans is to hold an Equity Gathering in 2021 to bring together leaders who have participated in one of our programs along with others who are already actively engaged in racial equity and social justice work across South Carolina. If in-person events are determined to be safe in 2021 this gathering will be held in Spartanburg in May. Details will be released later this year.
In addition, Together SC's flagship Summit of 600 - 800 leaders will return in Spring of 2022 with Spartanburg as the host city. Mary Thomas (Spartanburg County Foundation) and Molly Talbot-Metz (Mary Black Foundation) will lead the planning efforts which will include all audeineces and will build upon our ongoing Facing Race Together work.
Sponsored by:
Removing Our Blinders - Monthly Calls
A monthly zoom conversation to engage Together SC allies who would like to expand their understanding of racial equity.
Each session will be led by a white nonprofit leader who will facilitate a discussion about a book, video, article or personal experience that has impacted his or her understanding of racism and white privilege. Come prepared to be challenged and exposed to new ideas. All attendees are encouraged to read or watch the selected resource beforehand.
Participants will leave each conversation with answers to the following questions:
- What did I struggle with most when considering today’s topic? Why?
- How does today’s topic relate to me, my organization and/or my community?
- What will I do differently as a result of today’s topic?
- How did this topic help me better understand racism and white privilege?
Our regional partners are invited to join in and host local calls that build upon these conversations.
- Leaders can sign up for individual sessions,or the entire series.
- Sessions will be free and open to all.
- Sessions will run from 9:00 until 10:00 am.
- September 3 - Discussion of Dr. Phillip Atiba Goff's TED Talk "How We Can Make Racism a Solvable Problem"
- October 1 - Discussion of Dr. Jennifer Eberhardt’s book Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think and Do
- November 5 - Discussion of a White CEO's Personal Journey After George Floyd.
- December 3 - Discussion on Why White Leaders Must Listen and Learn
Racial Equity Lens Cohort
As a follow-up to her powerful 2020 Summit keynote and workshops, Dr. Heather Hackman will return to Together SC to lead this eight-month program, which is specifically designed for white CEOs, whose organizations are ready to invest in their understanding of racial equity and how it applies to their work. Through her seven-step process, she will offer research-based, experience-informed, and practical approaches to intentionally embedding equity into nonprofit practice.
We recognize that the burden of the work, personal and institutional, should not be on our Black colleagues, but that it is our white colleagues who have much work to do before they can take effective action on race equity.
Watch this short video by Dr. Hackman that describes this program (and the Taking Immediate Action Network) and who will most benefit from participation.
- The cohort of approximately 40 white CEOs will meet virtually each month. Only a few slots left!!!!
- Registration:
- The fee for the 8-month program is $125 for Together SC members. If space allows, the not-yet-member fee is $225.
- Participants will be accepted on a first come first serve basis.
- Participants are required to attend the entire series. Please save these dates:
- August 21
- September 18
- October 16
- November 20
- December 4
- January 22
- February 19
- March 19
- All sessions will run virtually from 9:00 to 10:00 am, except December 4 that will be run from 9:00 to 10:30.
- All participants will be invited and encouraged to attend a small in-person equity gathering in May 2021 if health and safety can be ensured.
- Sponsorship Opportunity:
- Together SC is seeking sponsors for the entire Facing Race Together program. Please email Madeleine@togethersc.org to learn more.
Taking Immediate Action Cohort
This peer-to-peer action group is designed for organizations that are poised and ready to lead racial justice efforts now. Nonprofit leaders of color are encouraged to register and actively engage in this cohort. We recognize that your leadership and voices are critical to this work.
Dr. Heather Hackman will facilitate two virtual sessions to present a framework for change and to set the context for particiapnts to develop their pland and work together on implementation. Following this orientation, Together SC will host this network.
Watch the short video above by Dr. Hackman that describes this program (and the Racial Equity Lens Cohort) and who will most benefit from participation.
- This program will be offered if at least ten organizations are ready to do this work and sign up.
- Nonprofit leaders of color are encouraged to register.
- Registration:
- The fee for the 7-month program is $75 per person for Together SC nonprofit members. Two people per organization may participate.
- If space allows, not-yet-members can register for $175.
- Priority will be given to nonprofit leaders.
- Save the dates:
- September 10 with Dr, Heather Hackman
- October 8 with Dr. Heather Hackman
- November 12
- January 14
- February 11
- March 11
- April 8
- All sessions will run from 9:00 until 10:00 am.
- All participants will be invited and encouraged to attend a small in-person equity gathering in May 2021 if safety and health can be ensured.
- Sponsorship Opportunity:
- Together SC is seeking sponsors for the entire Facing Race Together program. Please email Madeleine@togethersc.org to learn more.
Black Nonprofit Leaders Group Network
Together SC's Black Nonprofit Leaders Group seeks to create space for its Black members to increase their impact within the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, while being affirmed, supported, and encouraged. Culturally humble learning opportunities, convenings, and workshops offered through the Black Nonprofit Leaders Group will equip individuals to secure leadership roles, while embracing their cultural heritage as their most important asset.
The peer-led effort provides a safe space for Black professionals to share, find support, learn, network, and take timely action together. The group plans to expand membership, begin offering culturally sensitive and culturally humble learning opportunities, workshops and trainings, and create a sector-wide recruitment pipeline by partnering with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Expect the following from the group:
- Tailored programming during the month of August, which is Black Philanthropy Month
- Quarterly symposiums will be held virtually until in-person events are considered safe
- Culturally sensitive and culturally humble learning opportunities, workshops and trainings
- Creation of a racially diverse, sector-wide leadership pipeline through an intentional partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Outreach to Leaders of Smaller, Rural and Faith-Based Organizations
Through periodic outreach and zoom calls, we will work to identify, reach out to and engage often overlooked nonprofit leaders to offer capacity building and professional development tailored to their specific set of needs.
FAITH BASED: The new realities of the Coronavirus pandemic have caused a great strain on churches and faith institutions. Together SC wishes to help by providing a platform wherein faith leaders are able to intershare and discuss best practices for recovery and growth.
RURAL: Opportunities, resources, and monetary aid are often scarce in many rural areas, and the pandemic has further exacerbated that disparity. Together SC very keenly understands the unique needs of rural organizations as they represent 15% of our membership. We stand with you and are working to identify ways we can best serve you and your communities.
JOIN Rural & Faith-Based Peer Network
Future In-Person Events
Together SC’s 24-month action plan includes a variety of powerful, virtual learning opportunities that will culminate with in-person events in 2021 and 2022 when our health and safety can be ensured.
- 2021 Equity Gatherings - If small group gatherings are determined to be safe, in May 2021 Together SC will hold an equity gathering in Spartanburg for up to 50 – 150 nonprofit leaders who have participated in the Racial Equity Lens Cohort, the Taking Immediate Action Network, Black Nonprofit Leaders Group and other leaders who are actively engaged in this work. More details will be provided as plans develop.
- 2022 Nonprofit Summit - Our flagship gathering of 600 - 800 leaders will return in Spring of 2022 with Spartanburg as the host city. Mary Thomas (Spartanburg County Foundation) and Molly Talbot-Metz (Mary Black Foundation) will lead the planning efforts. Programming will be coordinated with and build upon Facing Race Together.
Complementing these efforts, we will also work to:
Amplify Critical Voices
Together SC aims to support members in their efforts to speak up on efforts to advance racial equity and other critical issues. We will do this by offering editorial support and by sharing their words.
Members will be invited to share on Together SC’s Facing Race Together blog and in For Good Connections.
Email us if you wish to share your story
Advance an Equity Focused Public Policy Agenda
Together SC will identify and advocate for critical state legislative efforts that address inequities
We will work in partnership with our Advocacy Allies and others.
Our goal for this aggressive program is to move the racial equity and social justice needle forward in South Carolina.
Please join us on this journey!