TW: racism
Let’s try this again, but with context #fundraising.
On July 13, the interim president of Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Greater Toronto Chapter, Mide Akerewusi, B.Sc., M.Sc. (Econ), CSR-P, CDEP. sent an update on the issue of anti-Black racism out to the membership.
You can find that update here: https://lnkd.in/eK4JKQfr
It is extremely important to note that this report was written on the heels of the racism that Mide Akerewusi, B.Sc., M.Sc. (Econ), CSR-P, CDEP., Nneka Allen, CFRE, COC, PCC, and Múthoní Karíukí HBSc, MPNL, CFRE experienced, but that their feedback and input was not included in this process. See the quote below from his update:
“As you read the report, please note that it states that, “Black Board members who recently resigned from the AFP Toronto Board were offered an opportunity to be interviewed but all declined”. In fact, Múthoní Karíukí, Nneka Allen and I did not decline to be interviewed, but rather, when we were approached, we requested clarification regarding the objectives and the outcomes of Dr. Massaquoi’s IDEA Audit report. Our request for clarification was in fact ignored.”
The report was released to the AFP-GTC board and then a very condensed, and frankly sanitized, version was released to the larger membership and public. In an effort to be as transparent as possible, Mide has released this report after carefully reviewing the contractual obligations and ensuring that the report meets the requirements of confidentiality. This report was also released in 2022 by the former board and therefore is already in the ecosystem, just not easy to find.
There is no room for secrecy or gatekeeping when it comes to combating racism, bigotry, sexism, or other forms of oppression. Sunlight is the best disinfectant.
People are welcome to disagree. People are welcome to question. But what I will ask, is why are people more concenred about the relase of this report than the harm that was caused to Black, Indigenous, and people of colour at AFP-GTC for decades? Where was the outrage then? Why are people more vocal about this report’s second release than the harm caused to our peers for years?
Update from AFP GTC’s Interim Board President – AFP Toronto