Today, January 22, is the National Day of Racial Healing. It provides an opportunity for people, organizations, and communities across the United States to call for racial healing, bring people together in their common humanity, and take collective action to create a more just and equitable world. In support of this day, BoardSource issues the following proclamation:
WHEREAS, BoardSource envisions a world where every social sector organization has the leadership it needs to fulfill its mission and advance the public good, and
WHEREAS, we believe that a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity is essential to making this vision a reality; and
WHEREAS, boards of directors guide the way that their organizations articulate and uphold the organization’s purpose, values, and responsibility to advance the public good; and
WHEREAS, social sector organizations are better able to fulfill their missions and understand and embrace the full diversity of their communities and the social realities that affect all of us when they are led by boards that are intentionally diverse in their composition, inclusive in their culture, and equity-focused in their development of strategies and solutions to deepen their impact, relevance, and advancement of the public good; and
WHEREAS, divisions along racial and other lines have created an increasingly polarized society in need of healing; and
WHEREAS, nonprofit organizations are uniquely positioned to bridge these divides, bring together communities, and work to change longstanding systems and policies that benefit some groups while marginalizing, excluding, or harming others;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Anne Wallestad, president and CEO of BoardSource, in conjunction with others throughout the United States of America, do hereby proclaim that BoardSource honors and recognizes January 22, 2019 as the “National Day of Racial Healing” and recommits to our work to inspire and support nonprofit boards and executives to be a part of change that unleashes the full potential of the social sector to be a force for a more just society and world.
Learn more about BoardSource’s commitment for itself and the social sector to diversity, inclusion, and equity.
Learn more about the National Day of Racial Healing.
