Removing our Blinders: Why White Leaders Must Listen and Learn
Join Melanie Huggins, Executive Director of the Richland Library and Immediate Past Chair of the Together SC Board of Directors on Thursday, December 3 at 9:00 to discuss why white leaders must listen to and learn from their staff of color.
As a white leader of a very diverse organization that prioritizes racial equity internally and in all of its community work, Melanie realized over the past months there was still much to learn. This candid conversation will focus on how white leaders must engage their staff of color and truly listen. With this knowledge, these leaders must then acknowledge their blindspots and commit to strengthening their understanding of racial and social justice. This session will focus on why these steps are critical in order to effectively take personal, organizational and community action.
In preparation for this conversation, please read these pieces:
"Your Black Colleagues May Look Like They're Okay - Chances Are They're Not" by Danielle Cadet
Moving Beyond Diversity Toward Racial Equity by Ben Hecht
You will leave this conversation with answers to the following:
- What did I struggle with most when considering today’s topic? Why?
- How can I apply today’s topic to me, my organization and my community?
- What will I do differently as a result of today’s topic?
- How did today’s topic help me better understand racism and white privilege?
Richland Library offers an extensive list of resources (books, videos, podcasts, articles, websites, social media, events, etc.) on its website for individuals to use to start an honest internal dialog and conversations with others about race, equity and inclusion. The Library encourages community members to get to know themselves, their neighbors and the community at large by using the many tools that have made available at www.richlandlibrary.com/race
Sponsored by:
Attendees (111)
Yolanda Anderson
Development/Donor Manager
Midlands Mediation Center
Caprice Atterbury
CEO
Origin SC
Stephanie Barrow
Relationship Manager
Trio Solutions Inc. (TRIO)
Stephanie Benjamin
Director of Programs and Communications
Lourie Center
Mandy Black
Executive Director
Little Steps
Ellen Blake
Director of Operations
Lowcountry Land Trust
Steven Burritt
Regional Executive Director
Mothers Against Drunk Driving SC
Mary Butz
Administration & Office Coordinator
Tri-County Cradle to Career Collaborative
Crystal Campbell
Executive Director
Dorchester County First Steps
Anita Case
Executive Director
Affinity Health Center
Debbie Cooper
Director of Community Impact
Community Foundation of Greenville
Beth De Santis
CEO
Fact Forward
Cathleen DeCourcy
Executive Assistant
Real Champions Inc
Oakley Dickson
None
Youth Corps
Shannon Farro
Executive Director
Long Bay Symphony
Erin Fisher
Global Engagement - South Carolina
The Boeing Company
Walter Gary
Owner
Upper Echelon Sports & Performance
Scott Gibbs
Beaufort Arts Council
Andy Hall
CEO
AID Upstate
Jessica Harrell
Managing Director, Programs & Services
USTA South Carolina
Quinn Hayes
Program & Grants Manager
Harvest Hope Food Bank
Tamara Herring
Executive Director
Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage
Vanessa Hill
Assistant ED for Operations
University of South Carolina Alumni Association
Dodi Hodges
Executive Director
Palmetto Literacy Council
Melanie Huggins
Executive Director
Richland Library
Carl Humphries
CEO
HopeHealth Inc
Lynn Hutto
HR/Management Consultant
Greater Columbia Community Relations Council
Kathy Jackson
New Business Development
Heurista
Maggie Kalergis
Donor Relations Manager
Lowcountry Land Trust
Karen Kuse
Head of School
Montessori School of Columbia
Peg Lahmeyer
Executive Director
The ARK of SC
Lenora Lefew
Volunteer and Development Coordinator
Harvest Hope Food Bank
Terri Lottchea
Operations Manger
Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation
Kimberly Martinez-Ward
CEO
Compass of Carolina
Britney Mazyck
Operations Manager
Community Initiatives, Inc.
Kati McArdle
Grants Manager
Coastal Conservation League
Sally McClellan
SC Association for the Education of Young Children
Tish McCutchen
Director
Jolley Foundation
Armilla Moore
Executive Director
Family Promise of Pickens County
Wanda Newkirk
Executive Director
Nazareth House Inc.
Karen Oliver
ECAC Program Manager
United Way of the Midlands
Donna Ortega
Founder and Owner
NETTLESOME PROBLEM SOLVER
Kevin Patten
Chief Financial Officer
Central Carolina Community Foundation
Amelia Phillips Hale
Creative Manager
Engaging Creative Minds
Catherine Puckett
Program Director
Nonprofit Alliance
Holly Raines
Volunteer and Development VISTA
St. Luke's Free Medical Clinic
Ashley Redmond
Executive Director/Chief Development Officer
Roper St. Francis Foundation
Megan Reilly
Development Director
Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services
Helen Rogers
Director of Operations
Lowcountry Land Trust
Allison Safford
Strategic Initiatives Officer
Hollingsworth Funds
Katy Smith
Executive Director
Piedmont Health Foundation
Cindi Solomon
Board Member
Operation Sight
Paige Stephenson
President & CEO
United Way of the Piedmont
Carole Swiecicki
Chief Program Officer
Dee Norton Lowcountry Children's Center, Inc.
Leigh Thomson
Executive Director
Dorchester Seniors, Inc.
Pam Toney
Executive Direcotor
Bluffton Jasper Volunteers in Medicine
JoAnn Turnquist
Retired April 2024
Central Carolina Community Foundation
Ann Warner
Interim CEO, International Center for Research on Women
WREN
Rodney White, Jr
Social Work Intern
Together SC
Megan Wildebour
Managing Director
PURE Theatre
Judy Wilson
Director of Development
Greenville Tech Foundation, Inc.
Gabrielle Yarborough
Development Director
East Cooper Habitat for Humanity, Inc.
Greta Young
Executive Director
The Parenting Place
