Michele Liu Baillie’s Post

If you work in a city and are interested in advancing racial equity work, but aren’t sure where or how to start, check out the conversation below with Shawna Davie, director of the Race, Equity, and Leadership department at the National League of Cities. Davie shares actionable, concrete ways to do this work no matter the size of your city or the amount of resources available.

We've always considered him responsible, but now the world is taking notice. Congratulations to David Bronston for being named to City & State's 2023 Responsible 100 list! Every year, City & State spotlights 100 exceptional individuals who work quietly to tackle New York's biggest challenges. These leaders from various sectors, like business, government, nonprofits, and advocacy, combine idealism with practical dedication to bring about real and lasting change. See all of this year's honorees: https://lnkd.in/gDPNUwJ4

Carmita Semaan is truly a gift! Thank you for this article! Thank you for being you always in all ways! "When new leaders of color are not given the support they need, we collectively miss out on perhaps the most fundamental and far-reaching gift these leaders have to offer: the ability to re-envision organizations so they can more holistically serve their communities today and develop approaches to combat root causes of social injustice for a better tomorrow." https://lnkd.in/ga7X5CKR

#ListeningSession 3 - GCF leaders Matthew Randazzo and Rasheda Malcolm-Cromwell met with a group of Black-led and Black-serving nonprofit leaders at the Hollomann Center for Social Justice at the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio to discuss the challenges and innovative ways of doing racial equity work in today's environment. Some of the common challenges our partners are experiencing include the balance between trust-based philanthropy and data-driven reporting that defines community impact; the depth and breadth of inequity and the lack of quick solutions that address root causes; the need for more human stories that speak to the impact of this work and a narrative shift that can bring more people to the table. These leaders also see the need for greater collaboration among key stakeholders across sectors and exploration of successful nationwide solutions. What are your thoughts on how our region can become a more vibrant and equitable place for all? How do we maintain momentum and sustainability for racial equity work? What ideas do you have to address the root causes of inequity?

Does Data Science and Spatial Analysis on chemicals and their facilities at the neighborhood level count as addressing health disparities? Answer: Yes Applying Data Science and Spatial Analysis to chemicals and their facilities at the neighborhood level could be a significant step toward addressing health disparities. By mapping and analyzing the distribution of these facilities, we can identify communities with disproportionate exposure to potential chemical hazards - exposure that can lead to various health issues, from acute respiratory problems to long-term effects like increased cancer risk. By bringing these disparities to light, we can advocate for more equitable zoning policies, improved emergency preparedness, and targeted public health interventions. In this way, UrbanDataLabs, LLC could contribute to reducing health disparities and improving the well-being of Latino communities. How's that for a pitch? #chci #healthdisparities #innovation #datascience #spatialanalysis #pitchcompetition

Team Talk As I have travelled around the region campaigning I have often been asked the question if given the current ‘dis-Unity’, whether I think a team is really the best approach for council. People raise the fact that they are disillusioned with the factions and petty in-fighting that has been associated with council business in recent years. My answer is this. Not all teams are the same and neither are all leaders. The last non-team Council in Cairns was the Schier Council.  It is no secret that this Council struggled to get things done and as a result, only Linda Cooper and Rob Pyne were returned in 2012.   Teams are a feature of councils in Cairns, Townsville and Mackay and in fact, most of the major cities in the State.  With quality teams leading their councils, Townsville and Mackay have delivered impressive results for residents in recent years while Cairns has notably struggled.   It is often pointed out that Jenny Hill (Townsville) ran as an independent in her first term (2012) but as she was always in the minority she was able to have little impact. The following election and every election since, she has run a team. Before the 2016 election she posted signs around her city saying 'give me a team I can work with'.  And the people answered her call — all members of her team were elected in 2016.   It is also worth noting that Cairns Council is broken up into divisions - nine to be exact. This differs from other FNQ Council areas where there are no divisions and it adds a layer of complexity when it comes to gaining the necessary traction required to get things done. It is also an important distinction that lends support to the value of fielding a quality team.   Finally and most importantly, there is no doubt we need change. The question here is what is the real problem — the lack of independents or the current team’s leadership and lack of direction?   I joined the Unity Team in 2020 believing it had the leadership and numbers to get things done. While Unity had two good terms — eight years where a number of worthwhile initiatives were delivered for Cairns, over the last four years this team has lost both its Captain and its direction. It has left councillors like myself completely disillusioned and wanting to jump ship, and the community understandably disappointed, cynical and demanding change. So let me be clear, I want to build a strong new team, and am willing to put my hand up to lead from the front. I want to work with the very best people to represent the interests of our city and region. In forming Team Eden I have carefully selected a group of diverse, independent thinkers who bring different skills and perspectives to the table. What unites these individuals are their collective values of transparency, accountability and engagement. #amyedencairns #teameden #cairns #deliveringforcairns #localgovernment #teamwork #itstime #renew Authorised by Gary Kerr, 5-7 Arlington Esplanade, Clifton Beach.

Redesigning the Justice-Committed Organization - Part Two Last month we argued that justice strategies--and thus justice-committed organizations--are not well-served by a traditional nonprofit organizational design. By a design that is overly vertical when so much of justice work and practice require horizontality. The reality is that most justice-committed organizations have gone through an evolution in purpose and/or core strategies over the last 3-5 years. We cannot assume that everyone in leadership, on staff, on the board has truly reckoned with the implications of newer strategies for the way the organization is structured. Indeed, it’s likely that you drafted new strategies and sent them back to a legacy structure not created with them in mind. This is a primary source of conflict and ineffectiveness in our organizations. We lay out an alternative in Blog Two here: https://lnkd.in/gR6_WrS9 #socialjustice #organizationaldesign #strategicalignment

Amidst a gathering of bright minds and diverse voices, the CaLD Young Leaders Round Table proved to be an intellectual melting pot of information, insights, and inspiration. The event brought together a captivating panel of distinguished individuals, each contributing their unique perspective to the Yes23 campaign, leaving an indelible mark on the CaLD Young Leaders' understanding of the campaign for the Voice to Parliament. We had the amazing Senator Fatima Payman MC’d the event with finesse. Her skillful moderation included thought-provoking questions posed to the panelists, adding an engaging layer to the discussions. Reverend Tim Costello AO ignited discussions on the pivotal Campaign for the Indigenous Community's Voice to Parliament referendum. With his humanitarian expertise and global perspective, Tim emphasized the campaign's potential to empower indigenous communities, bridge generational gaps, and shape a more inclusive future. His insights bridged global perspectives, championed marginalized voices, and highlighted the transformative potential of inclusive leadership. Tim's contributions resonated deeply, uniting diverse viewpoints and underscoring the urgency of amplifying Indigenous voices in our democratic processes. Hon Ayor Makur Chuot MLC, with a background enriched by her service in the legislative realm, injected practical insights into the dialogue. Her involvement underscored the tangible changes a the Voice could bring about, elevating the conversation beyond theoretical considerations. Jade Thompson a shining star with an eye for innovation, emphasizing the role of youth engagement in steering the trajectory of change. Jade Thompson is a driving force behind the scenes as the project lead with Reconciliation WA. She lent her expertise in fostering collaboration and innovation. Her presence highlighted the importance of experienced leadership in driving meaningful transformation. Against the backdrop of the campaign for a Voice to Parliament, these panellists engaged in insightful conversations that resonated with the CaLD Young Leaders, sparking a renewed sense of purpose. The discussions revolved around issues of political representation, and the need to ensure that the voices of indigenous communities are reflected in the decisions that shape our nation's future. The CaLD Young Leaders Round Table transcended conventional discourse, epitomizing the essence of inclusive leadership and collaboration. As the conversations continue to reverberate, the impact of this gathering promises to be enduring, catalysing a ripple effect of positive change in our society. 🗨️🌟 A huge thank you to the young leaders who organised such a successful round table. #InclusiveLeadership #DiverseVoices #FutureForward #Changemakers #VoiceToParliament"

Signal boosting for one of our valued partners: A Compass Minnesota spotlight on Teresa Kittridge and 100 Rural Women in Minnesota. This nonpartisan, nonprofit, grassroots organization is committed to building leadership and confidence through networking, mentoring, education, and civic engagement. In Teresa’s words, they are “making sure that rural women have opportunities to thrive and lead.” Read the profile in Minnesota Compass here: https://lnkd.in/ekisEMxK #RuralWomen #WomenLeaders #LocalPolitics #WomenInPolitics

It’s a hard time for Jewish organizations. There are thousands of Jewish nonprofits in the U.S. and Canada, with tens of thousands of employees and board members. The good these organizations are doing every day cannot possibly be measured. And the reason Leading Edge exists is this: How effective those Jewish organizations are depends on the people — leaders, board members, and employees — who are the field. Read our new report on the State of the Jewish Workplace 2023: #JewishWorkplace