WOC Symposium Key Takeways
By: Development Guild DDI
One of the largest and most important events of the year for Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy (WOC)® is its annual Symposium, where thought leadership and action converge in a powerful day of community. The 2023 Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy (WOC)® Symposium took place on November 14th. Nonprofit consulting firm Development Guild DDI was a proud sponsor of the event. Three members of their team attended both the virtual sessions and the in-person reception: Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Guirlaine Belizaire; Senior Executive Search Consultant Sajana Blank; and Senior Consultant Mary Plum.
Below is an abbreviated version of their key takeaways, which, while noted at the end of last year, remain relevant for this year. So, as we begin 2024, we wanted to share their insights with you.
What were your top takeaways from the Symposium?
Belizaire: The importance of community—be it virtual or in-person. Following that, the importance of mentorship and representation of historically marginalized identities in the nonprofit sector cannot be overstated.
Emotional labor, self-care, and boundary-setting are important choices for women in general and women of color in particular.
Plum: Allies are members of this community, too. It’s important for allies to actively listen to people from underrepresented groups, to invite folks to the table or into the room who might not be there, and, when appropriate, to speak up in spaces they may not yet be in.
Blank: WOC is an exemplary professional network that offers a safe and uplifting environment for women in the field to champion and inspire one another in their personal and professional lives and serve as a resource for each other. These spaces are not common in the field of fundraising and development and can also be difficult to find in other industries, yet they are crucial as we work towards a more just and equal world.
Your organization can create a seat at the table for women of color and other underrepresented voices. An investment in diverse perspectives and talent can, in turn, help shift the field of fundraising and development and the nonprofit world to be more impactful.
Emotional labor, self-care, and boundary-setting are important choices for women in general and women of color in particular.
What role does mentorship play for women of color working in nonprofit development? How can organizations more effectively facilitate mentorship?
Belizaire: From the WOC Symposium, observations of our Development Guild clients, and personal experience, mentorship is indispensable at all levels of professional development. To have the privilege of trusted guidance, different perspectives, thought partnerships and a network of peers has a significant impact on professional trajectory—especially for groups (including women and people of color) who have been systematically and deliberately excluded from professional opportunities.
Plum: The Symposium also emphasized sponsorship and partnership in addition to mentorship. For everyone, whether a peer or a senior colleague, it’s important to be an advocate and use your social capital to help others advance in their careers.
Blank: No matter what stage of life or career you are in, mentorship—especially, for BIPOC, LGBTQIA, and other historically marginalized communities—is important. And representation in leadership as well. I could have benefited from a network like WOC when I transitioned into fundraising a few years ago, especially during the pandemic. It is a gift that WOC exists. If you are a leader in your organization (or even if you aren’t), use your privilege to make these resources and opportunities available to your colleagues.
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