CHANGEMAKERS OF COLOR
People of color are underrepresented in leadership roles in the healthcare sector, undermining the quality of care provided.
People of color who seek leadership positions in the healthcare industry often lack the personal and professional connections necessary for upward mobility. In addition, they often do not have access to training opportunities.
As a result, our industry is not reflective of the diverse communities we serve and represent, to the detriment of all involved. A diverse and inclusive workforce would produce more innovative strategies to addressing racial and ethnic health disparities. By increasing the number of diverse leaders in the health and human services sector, we can:
IMPROVE ACCESS TO CARE IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES
INCREASE PATIENT CHOICE AND SATISFACTION
IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES
ENHANCE HEALTHCARE QUALITY FOR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS
The CoC Model was piloted January 2019 – January 2020 with 8 leaders of color in California thanks to generous support from The California Endowment. Join us on Monday, July 27, 2020 for Changemakers of Color: A Model for Racial Equity in the NPO Sector Webinar.
You will have the opportunity to learn more about the nonprofit racial leadership gap presented by Dr. Lakeya Cherry. A panel comprised of changemakers and mentors will talk about their experience during the one-year leadership development program. A Q&A session will invite participants to engage in an open discussion with the panel.
Benjamin Nguyen, MSW, ASW, CPH
“Anthropology strengthened my appreciation for cultural humility to better understand the unique psychosocial stress and adversities experienced by less advantaged minority Groups. My professional journey and commitment to incorporating more diversity, equity, and inclusion in health, human, and social services has been intertwined with and driven by my personal identity challenges as a gay, effeminate, first-generation, Vietnamese-Chinese American.”
Mayra I. Ramírez, MSW, ACSW
“The disparities and barriers that communities of color face need to be acknowledged to create substantial work. To help people of color achieve their greatest potential we need to work towards giving them the infrastructure needed to thrive. Only then will people of color be motivated and willing to participate in the sustainability of health care outcomes while being inclusive, interconnected and financially stable.”
Joyce A. Thompson, MSW, LCSW
“I entered the field of social work in order to be an advocate for equality for those who could not do it on their own. I have been in the field of social work for over 20 years, crossing many different sectors. Through my personal and professional experiences, I have learned the importance and need for equal access to what should be basic fundamental human rights: food, shelter, education, and healthcare.”
Cherie Fowler, MSW
“As a double minority, an African American woman, I have experienced many of the challenges of trying to establish connections, network with other professionals in the healthcare sector, and frustrations with being overlooked for training and leadership opportunities.Because of this, I often take opportunities to educate the forensic center team on the specific needs of clients and advocate for cultural change within our agency that recognizes, addresses, and actively working towards meeting those who are underserved in our community.”
Christina Boatwright, ACSW
“More so now than ever before, my passion for social justice, equity, inclusion and representation is at the forefront of how I operate in my profession, and in my private life. Female, Latina, Jew, Social Worker, Mother, Wife, Daughter, even while I live my truth, my intersectionalities bring light to others around racial equity, diversity and inclusion.”
Sheia Goff
“Having worked in the healthcare industry for over ten years, I’ve seen very few people of color obtaining leadership roles. I believe that many organizations should support trainings on diversity in the workplace and being able to explain and understand the difference. Organizations may say ‘We are working to diversify our upper management,’ instead of saying ‘We’re ensuring to diversifying our upper management.”
Alycen Chan Hall, MSW, MSPA
“Leaders must seek input from individuals with different experiences and backgrounds who bring with them varying perspectives. They must collaborate to review policies and make decisions that consider short and long-term effects. This means having open conversations about race, unconscious bias, internalized and externalized racism, and how they can participate in building shared practices to build trust.”
Nidia Hernández, LCSW, MSW, MPA
“Throughout my educational and professional experience, I have lacked insight on ways to seek a managerial and leadership role that I can thrive in. I believe this is due to the fact that in my experience I have yet to see a diverse person in a position I strive to attain. It is this lack of diversity and representation that continues to drive my passion to rise up and continue to pave my own way.”
To level the playing field, we have developed the Changemakers of Color (CoC) pilot program. CoC was created in an effort to improve the ability of people of color to compete for managerial and leadership positions in the health care sector in California, and to prepare them for success by enhancing their leadership skills.
CoC is an intensive, one-year leadership development training program targeted at innovative, visionary, and emerging leaders of color.
PROGRAM FEATURES
◦ Facilitated peer coaching twice per month
◦ One-on-one mentoring every month
◦ Two-hour management training sessions every other month
◦ Opportunity to connect with local leaders in government and the nonprofit sector
◦ Admission to the NSWM Annual Management Conference
◦ An invitation to present your work at the Annual Management Conference as part of a panel
◦ Certificate of Completion and HSM Certificate
◦ Recognition on our network website and in promotional campaigns
◦ Access to our exclusive network of thought leaders
Support Changemakers Of Color!
Partner with The Network for Social Work Management and its Changemakers of Color Initiative to bridge the racial leadership gap. If you or anyone at your organization is interested in supporting the Changemakers of Color Initiative, please complete the interest form below.
CoC APPLICATION
REQUIREMENTS AND PROCESS
◦ A minimum of a Bachelor of Arts degree (social work degree not required)
◦ Currently employed with a health organization
◦ Currently, a manager, and/or demonstrates the capacity to move into a leadership role (as shown in a letter of recommendation from a current supervisor)
◦ CV/Resume
◦ Letter of recommendation from current employer
◦ Professional headshot (Note: if accepted to the program, we intend to use it for the NSWM website & campaigns)
◦ Description of:
● Why you are interested in the CoC program and hope to accomplish it.
● Your career aspirations.
● A biography
◦ A personal statement on race equity and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)
◦ Member of The Network for Social Work Management. Membership is free! Join here.
◦ Academic credentials: MSW or other Master level degree
◦ 10+ years of executive leadership experience in the human service sector
◦ Availability to participate through the length of the program
◦ Access to equipment (internet and telephone)
◦ CV/Resume
◦ Cover letter
◦ Professional head shot (Note: if accepted to the program, we intend to use it for the NSWM website & campaigns)
◦ Mentors will receive a complimentary registration to the NSWM’s Annual Management Conference.
◦ Mentors are volunteers and will not be offered any additional remuneration.
◦ Mentors are expected to meet with their Changemaker once per month for a minimum of one hour.
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