Naming Race: One Foundation’s Path to a Strategy of Structural Inclusion and Self- Determination

· Common wisdom tells us that by placing people of color in leadership roles in philanthropy, there will be a greater emphasis on issues of racial equity and attention to solutions that are rooted in the experiences of people of color. While diverse leadership is a critical component of inclusion, attention must also be paid to the dynamics of power inherent in the relationship between a phil-anthropic institution and the community it seeks to serve. Foundations must put in place practices that address the inherent inequities in our sector if we are to contribute to systemic change. · The Edward W. Hazen Foundation, a small na-tional foundation with a focus on youth of color, provides an instructive case study of an institu