A Transformative Shift for Philanthropy and Our Communities
Historically, philanthropy has perpetuated the white supremacy myth by funding white-led organizations that claim to "save" Black and Indigenous communities. This approach sustains a deeply ingrained colonized white savior complex and allows our white peers to profit greatly from the U.S. education system. This model prioritizes their gains over the well-being of marginalized communities.
The consequence is that philanthropic actions perpetuate the wealth and opportunity gap while our communities bear the burden of pain, trauma, and even the loss of our children. Among the root causes of racialized outcomes, this funding gap and savior complex—exacerbated by the challenges of the pandemic—tokenizes and traumatizes the very communities philanthropies aim to support.
Regrettably, education has been a prime testing ground for such philanthropic experimentation. This has resulted in generations of teachers steeped in white savior mentalities, contributing to systemic inequities, subjecting Black, Indigenous, and Brown students and teachers to emotional, academic, and physical harm, financial disparities, and capitalization upon GM communities' intellectual and financial health.
The U.S. educational system remains a colonial hierarchical structure, replicating systemic oppression and perpetuating trauma across generations. Only 13% of teachers in our home state of Washington are GM; in 2018, the percentage of Black school principals in WA "rounded to 0." Only 2% of WA schools in the charter sector have GM executive leadership, while ()% of Global Majority scholars are served. Without GM leadership, schools bleed out innovative, brilliant GM teachers who dare to speak up. They implement racist policies that harm teachers, scholars, families, and communities. Furthermore, schools continue to enact the root causes of racialized harm through their financial decisions, failing to recognize how community assets can forge the path to justice.
The urgency to address this crisis and dismantle the deeply ingrained structures that perpetuate it is undeniable. We must confront the systemic issues in philanthropy, education, and white supremacy that have maintained this crisis for generations and strive for a future where equity and justice prevail.
The consequence is that philanthropic actions perpetuate the wealth and opportunity gap while our communities bear the burden of pain, trauma, and even the loss of our children. Among the root causes of racialized outcomes, this funding gap and savior complex—exacerbated by the challenges of the pandemic—tokenizes and traumatizes the very communities philanthropies aim to support.
Regrettably, education has been a prime testing ground for such philanthropic experimentation. This has resulted in generations of teachers steeped in white savior mentalities, contributing to systemic inequities, subjecting Black, Indigenous, and Brown students and teachers to emotional, academic, and physical harm, financial disparities, and capitalization upon GM communities' intellectual and financial health.
The U.S. educational system remains a colonial hierarchical structure, replicating systemic oppression and perpetuating trauma across generations. Only 13% of teachers in our home state of Washington are GM; in 2018, the percentage of Black school principals in WA "rounded to 0." Only 2% of WA schools in the charter sector have GM executive leadership, while ()% of Global Majority scholars are served. Without GM leadership, schools bleed out innovative, brilliant GM teachers who dare to speak up. They implement racist policies that harm teachers, scholars, families, and communities. Furthermore, schools continue to enact the root causes of racialized harm through their financial decisions, failing to recognize how community assets can forge the path to justice.
The urgency to address this crisis and dismantle the deeply ingrained structures that perpetuate it is undeniable. We must confront the systemic issues in philanthropy, education, and white supremacy that have maintained this crisis for generations and strive for a future where equity and justice prevail.
Proposed Solution:
It's time for a transformative shift led by Black and Indigenous leaders deeply committed to dismantling our country's institution of racism. Our holistic and comprehensive approach uses education as the point of access to catalyze change. We aim to create sustained conditions for our communities to thrive. Our solution involves several key components:
1. Representation and Leadership: We ensure that both GM and white scholars and families see Black and Indigenous leadership at the forefront, dispelling myths and viewpoints that have devalued our communities and people.
2. Cultivating Anti-Racist Leaders: We nurture leaders who will build anti-racist schools and ecosystems while establishing pipelines for educators and entrepreneurs from within our communities.
3. Removing Financial Barriers: We work to remove financial barriers by leveraging GM leaders' motivation to protect our children and ensure that critical gaps are closing.
4. Community-Owned Businesses: Community-owned businesses provide essential services to the education sector, channeling funds back into our communities.
We gauge our impact by measuring direct and indirect support to ensure a nationwide network of abolitionist leaders is equipped to initiate transformations. Success is quantified by participants completing our programs, securing sustained positions, and the economic resources flowing back into our communities through services and contracts with GM vendors. We also measure success by the community's engagement in preventive health measures, school attendance, and the development of sound financial habits.
In aligning resources, expertise, and collective action, we are building a future where philanthropy serves as a force for positive change, nurturing thriving communities and dismantling the legacy of systemic racism that has persistently burdened our people.
1. Representation and Leadership: We ensure that both GM and white scholars and families see Black and Indigenous leadership at the forefront, dispelling myths and viewpoints that have devalued our communities and people.
2. Cultivating Anti-Racist Leaders: We nurture leaders who will build anti-racist schools and ecosystems while establishing pipelines for educators and entrepreneurs from within our communities.
3. Removing Financial Barriers: We work to remove financial barriers by leveraging GM leaders' motivation to protect our children and ensure that critical gaps are closing.
4. Community-Owned Businesses: Community-owned businesses provide essential services to the education sector, channeling funds back into our communities.
We gauge our impact by measuring direct and indirect support to ensure a nationwide network of abolitionist leaders is equipped to initiate transformations. Success is quantified by participants completing our programs, securing sustained positions, and the economic resources flowing back into our communities through services and contracts with GM vendors. We also measure success by the community's engagement in preventive health measures, school attendance, and the development of sound financial habits.
In aligning resources, expertise, and collective action, we are building a future where philanthropy serves as a force for positive change, nurturing thriving communities and dismantling the legacy of systemic racism that has persistently burdened our people.
Services Rendered:
Anti-Racism
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Contracted Services Offered
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Conference/Convention
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