YW Boston

🚨 Why Donors Should Prioritize Racial Justice & Gender Equity This Year 🚨 As 2024 winds down and we head into the busy season of holiday giving, donors are facing an overwhelming array of choices when deciding where to direct their charitable contributions. This time of year, nonprofits are sending appeals through emails, social media, and direct mail campaigns, hoping to capture the attention of generous individuals who want to make a positive impact. But with so many options, it can be hard to know where to give. So, why should you consider supporting organizations that prioritize racial justice and gender equity, such as YW Boston, especially this year? The Urgency of Supporting Racial Justice and Gender Equity Now: Racial justice and gender equity are urgent, ongoing issues that require consistent, long-term commitment—not just a one-time donation after a high-profile event or tragedy. In recent years, we’ve seen spikes in charitable giving following pivotal moments in the news, such as the Black Lives Matter movement or the #MeToo movement. As Robin Whitney, Vice President of Advancement at YW Boston, notes, there’s often a rush to support causes when they are front and center in the media, but true, sustainable change requires ongoing investment in organizations like YW Boston that are in it for the long haul. “The work doesn’t stop just because the headlines do,” Robin says. “When there’s an unfortunately horrific event that happens, people want to put their money where their values are. While that’s important, they need to continue to give, even if something isn’t being shown on the news because the work is still happening, the work still needs to be done.” Robin believes that this year, more than ever, it’s crucial to support organizations working to advance racial justice and gender equity. She explains that many nonprofits working on racial justice and gender equity, like YW Boston, as well as nonprofits that support immigrant rights, are bracing for certain funding challenges. The incoming administration and changes to federal funding policies will directly affect organizations that rely on government grants and corporate donations focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This is why individual donors have a particularly important role to play—because the stability of these organizations depends on support from people who believe in their mission. The Power of Individual Giving: While many foundations and corporations provide critical funding for nonprofits, there are limitations on what they can support, especially as DEI efforts face political pushback... 💡 Read more: https://buff.ly/4fWLfIV #RacialJustice #GenderEquity #YWBoston #HolidayGiving #TakeAction

In alignment with our values of people and liberation, YW Boston is closed the final week of the calendar year: Today, December 23rd through the 27th. This organizational closure allows all staff to spend time collectively away from work and institutionally supports rest, being with loved ones, reflecting on the year we've had, and looking ahead to 2025. We are excited to continue our vital work to eliminate racism and empower women in the new year in partnership with the incredible communities we belong to. Thank you and take care!

For over 30 years, YW Boston has been led by women of color whose experiences mirror the communities we strive to uplift. As we embark on the search for our next President & CEO, we remain steadfast in our commitment to diverse leadership and our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. This transition is more than just a change in leadership—it's a pivotal moment to strengthen our work and ensure we continue to make a lasting impact. We invite you to support us in this critical moment by contributing to our Transition Fund, which will help: 🌟 Launch a strategic planning process to align with our community's evolving needs 🌟 Strengthen our team to continue advancing equity and inclusion Your gift will sustain our vital programming and help us find the right leader to guide YW Boston into the future. Donate today: https://buff.ly/3OZVst6

Save the date! Join us on January 29, 10-11AM for Leading with Inclusion: What Now? — the first webinar in YW Boston’s ongoing series on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. In this webinar, expert panelists will share practical strategies for navigating these turbulent times and offer an inspirational roadmap for DEI leaders. Together, we’ll explore: 💡 How to drive meaningful DEI outcomes in a climate of political and social resistance, including potential legislative actions and executive orders. 💡 Ways to strengthen your organization’s commitment to inclusion amid competing pressures. 💡 How to lead with intention, fostering a culture of belonging and resilience. Stay tuned for more details! This webinar is part of Leading with Inclusion, a series designed to explore how we can move DEI work forward, even in the face of growing challenges. This series will provide insights and strategies to help you lead with clarity, focus, and intention, ensuring that DEI efforts continue to thrive. #ywboston #webinar #professionaldevelopment #inclusiveleadership #dei

Request for Proposals: Strategic Planning Consultant for YW Boston! 📢 YW Boston is at a pivotal moment in our journey. As we prepare for a new CEO in early 2025, we are seeking an experienced consultant to guide us through a strategic planning process that will shape the next 3-5 years of our mission-driven work. Our focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has never been more critical, and we need a partner who is committed to equity and inclusion, capable of facilitating an intentional and collaborative process. This is an exciting opportunity to help us map out the future of our impact in Greater Boston. Key Goals: ✅Develop organizational goals and strategies for the next 3-5 years ✅Align programs to community needs and market demands ✅Engage staff, board, and community voices in a collaborative planning process ✅Ensure financial sustainability and organizational health Proposals should be submitted by January 10, 2025. Full details can be found here:

We recently sat down with LeadBoston alum Jarling Ho (LB ‘22), Program Manager at Massachusetts Office of Public Collaboration, who shared her experience in LeadBoston and the path her life has taken since graduating from the program. Read more here 👉 https://buff.ly/41Ft5Yc #ywboston #leadboston #inclusiveleadership

🎵'Tis the season to be... RESTED! Eric Nguyen, Director of DEI Consulting and Training here at YW Boston, shares some insightful tips for ending toxic productivity as the year comes to a close. Check out his post below!

In a recent article written in Forbes, Julie Kratz sat down with Rhodes Perry, MPA (he/him), CEO of Rhodes Perry Consulting, LLC, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) today. As Rhodes noted, “We need to put the DEI backlash in perspective. This is a moment. We have been here before. Anti-DEI proponents are just finding new and more sophisticated ways to distract us from being successful. Let’s not concede to the perceived backlash. There are more allies than there are antagonists to DEI. To combat the backlash, the DEI community needs to paint a better picture of what a more inclusive future will look like for all people.” As Rhodes further explained, measuring belonging through trust, psychological safety, and reducing microaggressions is essential to achieving organizational success—because when people feel like they belong, they perform at their best. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gjCDUF3g

From accessible tech to non-alcoholic happy hours, companies in the Boston area are setting the standard for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Here’s how some are leading the way: CarGurus redefines office socializing with inclusive happy hours that feature non-alcoholic drinks and alternative events like martial arts classes and first aid training. Everyone is invited to feel welcome, no matter their background or personal choices. Entrada Therapeutics makes tech accessible by redesigning presentations and websites to accommodate colorblind employees and those with disabilities. They even stock their offices with snacks that are easily accessible to workers in wheelchairs! Ultragenyx makes sure every job candidate's name is pronounced correctly by having them record their names in the application process—showing respect and promoting inclusion from the very first contact. These small but powerful initiatives highlight how DEI isn't just about policy—it's about creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. ✨ 👉 Read more about how these companies are making DEI work in real, impactful ways, and get inspired to create a more inclusive culture in your own organization: https://lnkd.in/ecMkMkAk

2025 marks the 30th anniversary of our Academy of Women Achievers Celebration, honoring bold, unstoppable women who are making an incredible impact in Boston. We are proud to recognize the contributions of these five extraordinary women who are transforming our community: 🏆 Petrina Martin Cherry, VP, Community Engagement & External Affairs, Boston Medical Center (BMC) 🏆 Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell 🏆 Lisa Hayles, Director of International Shareholder Advocacy, Trillium Asset Management 🏆 Melissa Hector, MS MBA, Director of Equitable & Strategic Initiatives, Boston Public Health Commission 🏆 Allison Picott, Executive Director, The Lenny Zakim Fund We invite you to join us in honoring these inspiring women as a sponsor. Your sponsorship will not only celebrates their achievements but will also help supports the continued growth of YW Boston’s critical leadership programs. Learn more about our exclusive benefit for sponsors here: https://buff.ly/4giq6IZ