Respectability Politics in Nonprofits

Does natural hair or purple braids impact an African American woman’s work performance?  Do your program manager’s tattoos impact your her ability to get things done?  Does a teenager in your afterschool program have to wear a collared shirt in order to succeed at life? (Spoiler alert: no to all of these!)  In this episode, we’ll talk about respectability politics and how policing our staff and clients’ physical appearance and behaviors can be oppressive and harmful to the work environment.  Rhonda Broussard, Founder and CEO of Beloved Community, joins us to discuss how allowing our staff and clients to bring their whole selves to work creates an inclusive and affirming environment for all of our stakeholders.