Becoming Advocates for Equity

credit: Flickr

In June, the Supreme Court ruled that colleges and universities can take into account a student's race in decisions about scholarships and grants.

Now, the head of a national membership organization for nonprofits is speaking out against the ruling in an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times.

Akilah Watkins, CEO of Independent Sector, says that while the court's decision "highlights a disconnect between nonprofit sector's intentions and its actions," it's not a time to retreat from the fight for racial equity.

"This is not a time for us to retreat, but rather for us to lean into our collective and power," she writes.

"It takes courage to talk explicitly about racial equity; to educate policymakers, boards, and the general public about racial equity; to advocate for policies that advance equity and racial justice; and to provide the resources for their grantees to advocate for policies that advance racial equity."

Watkins says the Supreme Court's decision "has caused concerns about how we award scholarships and grants, and about how we collect and apply demographic data."

Independent Sector filed an amicus brief with the Council on Foundations in support of a group called the Fearless Fund, which backs women of color in venture capital funding.

"We believe that philanthropic organizations and individuals have the

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