My concern with social equity and diversity was sparked by my involvement with the Center for Ethical Leadership. The staff and board members who have served the Center throughout its twenty-year history have left examples that teach and inspire me. They underline the paramount importance of maximizing fair and equitable life outcomes for all residents of the United States.

 

We at CEL carry out our work with refugee communities and communities of color by fostering leadership capabilities among people who often experience marginalization and doubt their own social influence. We recognize that, in American society, leadership tends to be authority based and limited to privileged groups and types of individuals. CEL creates an alternative kind of leadership. We cultivate leadership that is collective, egalitarian, and available to all who would contribute. Our trainings and community engagements help build a society whose members feel included, empowered, and equipped to assume roles of leadership.

 

My first contact with CEL came with participating in its racial healing circles, based on the peacemaking circle model. The objective in racial healing circles is to intervene in the racialized norms that constrain institutions and organizations. Through its circles, CEL has created venues where meaningful, honest, supportive relationships can be built—relationships capable of holding the important healing dialogues necessary for the diminution of racism. Racial healing circles gather together people who are committed to personal and interpersonal healing and interested in learning how to bring conversations about race to their communities. 

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