The Nonprofit Sector Has a Ferguson Problem

Most of us are alarmed by the almost unbelievable disparity in Ferguson’s civic life that is fueling the protests. African-Americans are two-thirds of the city’s population, but whites serve as mayor, five of six city councilors, six of seven school board members and 50 of 52 police officers.

However, are we alarmed at the nonprofit sector’s own lack of representation? Despite groundbreaking efforts by the Center for Diversity and the Environment, the D5 Coalition, Green 2.0 and New Generation of African-American Philanthropists, the glaring disparity in nonprofit leadership bears a striking similarity to Ferguson.