Institutional Change and Accountability

Introduction Unconscious bias training is based on the methodology in social psychology that an individual’s response time when presented with 2 images reveals how closely the viewer unconsciously connects the two. By using two sets of images — one of people with different racial/ethic backgrounds and one of negative or positive attributes, prior researchers have…

Introduction In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the quantity and variety of content-based resources available to foundations and nonprofits choosing to address issues of racial equity. Many of these resources, whether workshops, blogs, or books, have contributed to critical discussions on the role and impact foundations and nonprofits have in the…

Introduction Throughout the history of the United States, government institutions at the local, state, and federal role have played a key role in designing and implementing policies that created and sustained racial inequities. These policies and practices have contributed to the chronic inequality of opportunity and outcomes that continue to adversely impact communities of color.…

Introduction The Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services employed approximately 3,400 individuals to provide housing, mental health, and other services to low-income members of the Jewish community. As the organization’s community grew increasingly diverse, it needed to embrace multiculturalism as a way to better serve its community. That process underwent numerous phases, each of…

Introduction This study responds to the public debate on why some white people oppose large-scale government programs. Several researchers argue that “old racism” may influence some white Americans’ policy attitudes. This theory holds that some white people oppose race-conscious policy, or any policy explicitly intended to benefit Black people because they perceive Black people to…

Introduction The authors of this study examine the role of racial affinity groups or caucuses in understanding institutional racism and transforming an institution towards antiracism and racial equity. They trace the development, execution, and operation of a white antiracism caucus that was facilitated by the two authors at a social service agency. They found that…

Introduction Corporations around the world have recognized the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workforce. A diverse workforce not only strengthens productivity, creativity, employee engagement, and profits, but also helps maintain company reputation. In this article, Frank Dobbin and Alexandra Kalev examine why traditional diversity programs are not successful in increasing equality and diversity…

Introduction In this conceptual article, lead author and Afro-Latina doctoral student Samantha E. Erskine and Dr. Diana Bilimoria explore how white allyship can support the career development and leadership advancement of Afro-Diasporic women in the workplace. Afro-Diasporic women, or Black women from across the African diaspora, are critically underrepresented in corporate and senior leadership roles…

Introduction Despite the wide ranging accomplishments earned by historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), narratives regarding HBCUs often use deficit-oriented framing that erase their achievements. This context of pervasive institutional anti-blackness is rooted in the historical marginalization of HBCUs that continues to reinforce itself through less favorable depictions of HBCUs in the media and ultimately…