I Am Somebody

Conversations about inequity tend to veer towards bleak appraisals of what is broken in American society. We wanted to make Twice as Good and the other entries in the Black CEOs, In Their Own Words series after meeting leaders like Kimberly who both bear witness to persistent societal shortcomings, yes, but also invite us into a more optimistic vision of what is possible for future generations. The reason why Kimberly and the other subjects in this series have achieved local success is the reason why they deserve a larger platform to share their animating ideologies – they are great storytellers capable of rallying communities around a brighter tomorrow. This brand of diverse and hopeful leadership is urgently needed in a landscape dominated by so much fear and recrimination. Twice as Good also says something simple but profound about our ability to make change in the communities that shaped us: that deep relationships are key. Kimberly and leaders like her bring a contextual understanding of and connection to the populations they serve through their non profits that is a powerful differentiator. Their stories are compelling arguments against a resurgent push for “color blindness” – they affirm that yes, the identity of those involved in social impact work does matter. Communities impacted by philanthropic groups should be represented at the highest levels of those groups to ensure, as the adage goes, there is “nothing about us without us.” Kimberly's story reminds us why “diversity” is more than a corporate buzzword deployed in an era of increased sensitivity – it’s a necessary part of building any movement whose goal is to make a positive difference in people’s lives.