image

A new study commissioned by the D5 Coalition (a five-year initiative to advance philanthropy’s diversity, equity, and inclusion) explores the career pathways of professionals of color in the philanthropy sector. The study, based on semi-structured interviews conducted over the course of five months, analyzes the perceptions, analyses, and career histories of 43 philanthropic professionals of color. It asks three main questions:

  1. What are the career pathways of people of color in philanthropy in terms of how they enter the field and advance to higher levels of seniority?
  2. What factors do philanthropic professionals of color view as posing the greatest barriers and contributors to career advancement in the sector?
  3. What is the perceived value of and challenges to achieving greater leadership diversity in foundations from the perspective of professionals of color in the field?

Prominent in the study’s findings was the discovery (not all together new) that institutional culture plays a tremendous role in contributing to career advancement. More specifically, “an institutional commitment to diversity on the part of the board and leadership at hiring foundations was perceived as a critical factor in facilitating career advancement for people of color.” Interviewees also expressed the importance of mentors and identity-based groups that create opportunities for networking and visibility.

Emphasis was also placed on the value of “authentic inclusion,“ in which “racial and ethnic diversity is not merely present, but valued with equal power given to diverse voices.” In other words, numbers aren’t the only important factor at play.

For a more detailed account of the study’s findings, you can read the full report here or visit the D5 website and watch the accompanying webinar.

Image courtesy ktikeda

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *