Arts & Business Council

Over the last three years, I have had the pleasure of serving as project manager for the A&BC’s IMPACT (Inclusion of Multicultural Perspectives in Art, Culture and Theatre) Project.  With primary funding from the Joyce Foundation, and additional support from Chicago Community Trust and The Boeing Company, this program works to increase the cultural diversity on the boards of institutions with budgets of $5 million and above. 

For the IMPACT project, I researched diversity initiatives in both the nonprofit and for profit sector.  I also had candid conversations with institutional leadership and board trustees of diverse backgrounds about their personal experiences.  This process was enlightening and though I learned many lessons, there is one that I would like to focus on in this article.

Organizations that see diversity as an intrinsic value—and essential to their success—are the organizations that are effectively achieving diversity among their leadership in a meaningful way.

This is a critical point to ponder especially when most organizations are “battening down the hatches” and making tough choices about where to focus energy and resources.  Because in times like these organizations look to what is most important to them, I encourage you to see where diversity falls on your list of priorities.  As stated by Michelle Boone, Cultural Program Officer with the Joyce Foundation:

“The current economy has forced many to trim budgets as they grapple to do more with less.  Unfortunately, too many organizations view diversity as an “extra” and not the necessity. Diversity isn’t something to be implemented based on budgets.  It should be at the core of an organization’s mission—regardless of resources—and reflected in every aspect of operations in order to be truly successful.”

What does this mean? It means that some of you may know that diversity is valuable, but may be tempted to let it fall by the wayside during tough times.  I urge you not to do this, but instead reaffirm your commitment to diversity for several reasons.

• Diversity is essential to the success of any organization, and will only become more vital in the future. 
• An organization with diverse voices and different perspectives and insights among its leadership is better equipped to adapt to our changing landscape, to meet challenges and maximize opportunities. 
• It is easier to develop strategies to interest diverse audiences in your mission, when your organization itself reflects the audience you seek to attract. 
• Current and potential board members from diverse backgrounds will recognize the authenticity of your commitment to diversity if it is consistent and supported with actions.

Given the above, I encourage you to count having an inclusive, diverse organization among the goals that you continue to work for and prioritize. Yes, we need to respond to current conditions, but we should never lose sight of our organizations core values, nor what will make it strong, vibrant and financially stable over the long term.