On Saturday, June 1, 2024, SBAN hosted an interactive dialogue to inspire meaningful, measureable, collaborative action among SBAN members and the greater Swarthmore community regarding equity. The following is a summary of the key points discussion and notable points of consensus.
When asked, the concept of equity is extremely important and urgent to those who participated in this conversation (4.6 out of 5). When asked why, participants shared the following:
Regarding an issue the group clearly considers urgent and important (4.6 out of 5), twenty SBAN Town Hall participants expressed a strong dissatisfaction with the pace of progress in solving for equity (1.8 out of 5).
This brings up some questions worth discussion as SBAN:
Why is there not greater progress on solving for equity?
If we take ownership of our dissatisfaction as SBAN, what impact is possible?
Is it worth the effort, collectively as SBAN, and as an individual?
To address these questions, I would like to share a few insights and convictions I have accumulated developing and leading a stakeholder mobilization platform that enables leaders to overcome obstacles at the intersection of climate, health, energy and equity commitments made by large US cities, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
Forget about equity and focus on inequity.
Inequity is asymmetric human suffering. Inequity can be mapped and measured which means it can be addressed, yet it is not; in fact, inequity continues to grow. Inequity is systemic exploitation enshrined in physical and social infrastructure.
Don’t bring flip flops to win a marathon, bring cleats.
There are two options to lead systemic change - either in reaction to great tragedy (ie COVID) or proactively as a high performance team sport. Systemic change regarding equity requires stakeholder mobilization based on focus, measurable progress and inclusive outcomes that inspire the will to win. As Americans, we love to play to win, especially if the game is about greatest measurable progress against all possible odds in 15 minute intervals. More than 70% of Americans identify as football fans. This year, the NFL holds the top 1, 2 and 3 spots for television programming in the US. Unity is spelled N-F-L in US. While the childhood communities of many, NFL players will experience greater and greater asymmetric suffering, the NFL has committed to double its annual revenue to over 30 billion in the next 6 years.
Given the power of winning, how do we, as SBAN, play to win at what matters most?
Define the win. Establish SBAN’s credo of winning on inequity.
Make it measurable with the right North Star metrics.
Call out geographic locations based on urgency and need to ground our efforts.
Establish a game clock. For example - 12 months with four 90 day quarters.
Give winning currency. Reward those who get on the field and play to win effectively.
Per the graphic below, there are several aspects of asymmetric suffering that inspire our community to action. In the next 12 months which aspect would mobilize the greatest number of us to collective action?
Without clear and compelling success metrics to validate progress and needed (vs prescribed or assumed impact) we will not have sufficient motivation to get on the field as a team of change makers. Below are some of the suggested metrics participants shared during our session that could inspire us to action:
> Rate of defaults on debt
> # of college admission among Black students
> Debt to income ratio
> # of homeless
> # below the poverty line
> Per capita travel costs
> # and size of saving accounts year over year
> # of hospitalizations
For examples of successful, motivating metrics think back to COVID. What metrics best inspired collective and individual action? What metrics occupied the front page of the NYT?
Inequity can be measured and mapped. Inequity is community based. Solving for inequity is a commitment to localized, needed relief validated by those suffering. Which led to our last question. Where would you choose to show a definitive win on inequity within 12 months?
Chester was the most suggested specific location where SBAN should focus on delivering a win on inequity within 12 months which led to a dialogue on the pros and cons of prioritizing Chester. Tim Harrison pointed out that picking a location, whether Chester or elsewhere, is a decision to listen and earn the trust of the community to ensure any efforts are welcome and aligned with true needs.
Where do we go from here?
On September 16, 2024, either in the afternoon or evening, we invite interested SBAN members and allies to a next steps call to align on the following:
What specific aspect of inequity should we commit to make greatest measurable progress within 12 months, prior to the SBAN 25 Town Hall?
Where specifically will we focus to make this impact?
What will be our metric of progress?
“I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” - Michael Jordan
Imagine if SBAN, based on our efforts playing to win in 12 month timeframes, developed the Equity Action League composed of similar Black Alumni organizations and networks challenging one another to win at what matters most.
- HG Chissell