Great mission undermined by white supremacy culture
Pros
Excellent mission focused on building power for low-income people, especially low-income people of color. One of the few national intermediary organizations that focuses on community organizing strategies. Really talented and passionate staff at every level of the organization. Well funded. There have been internal efforts at organizational change for a number of years. Staff union formed to improve alignment between stated mission/values and actual operations.
Cons
Management models many of the characteristics of elitism and white supremacy culture as identified in Dismantling Racism: A Workbook for Social Change Groups such as a constant sense of urgency, paternalism, opaque and undemocratic decision making, power hoarding, excessive use of memos and devaluing other ways of thinking and developing strategy. More of a commitment to maintaining the institution's standing than to using its resources to meaningfully support social justice and liberation movements. Clear pattern of promoting and supporting white staff, less flexibility and support for equally qualified staff from marginalized backgrounds.
