As communicators in foundations and nonprofits, our power lies in storytelling. We choose the narratives, messengers, words, and images that shape the realities of our communities and society. With that power comes a responsibility to resist perpetuating racist systems and do better. Or, as we say, do good.

In the Spring of 2019, The Communications Network set out to assess what expert practitioners and academics could tell us about applying equity-driven best practices to foundation and nonprofit communications. We did not find the perfect guide, but what we did find were illuminating insights and helpful feedback from practitioners in the field that, together, offer us a sense of where we can begin to do better.

Describing our work as “communications for good” is a directive to use communications to drive changes in attitudes, belief systems, policies, norms, behaviors, and biases. Surface-level messaging with vague mentions of diversity and equity is not going to cut it anymore. The voices, ideas, needs, and priorities of Black, Latinx, Native American, and other people of color deserve to be deeply embedded within our communications and organizations. Advancing racial equity in communications is not just about changing what we say to others; it’s also about changing the way we think.

As one person said during an interview, “From my perspective, I don't see a world in which just handing someone some phrases or strategies is going to move the needle very much… I think it’s really about the individual’s understanding, skills, and practice around equity.” 

 It takes courage and vulnerability to talk about race and racism honestly. Let’s keep pushing each other to do better in our work of doing good.