Because diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are so critical to the success of any nonprofit or other organization, Resourceful Nonprofit offers DEI training and strategy, including for boards of directors, as well as STEM and tech inclusion strategy. If you are looking to learn more, here is a recent presentation we did with some key high-level information on DEI for organizations.
One good starting point is to review your website, collateral, and other materials to see if the imagery is overly homogenous, or if it is inclusive. There are a number of free photo and video resources for nonprofits, and the information from TechSoup below highlights some great options.
Diverse and inclusive images are just one small point in a larger diversity, equity, and inclusion conversation. If your organization has diverse images but not a diverse staff or board, it will be a challenge to hire and keep diverse staff, who will want to feel free to bring their whole selves to work in an inclusive manner. And, it may be challenging to be as authentic as desired if there is a large mismatch between the composition of your staff and board and the people you serve.
Resourceful nonprofits take advantage of all resources possible to be as diverse and inclusive as they can, knowing that equity and belonging are the ultimate goals.
Google has a helpful site dedicated to inclusion in marketing, All In. Google’s insights and tips on inclusion, avoiding stereotypes, building the right teams, embedding inclusion in strategy, making inclusive creative choices, and holding each other accountable are all important to authentically creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment – and can help your organization authentically let others know you care about it.
A quick note about diversity and inclusion in imagery in materials. For anyone without a specific diversity background, it can be very easy to simply select images that capture the idea of the content or a message, without intentionally considering whether the images convey the inclusive, diverse feeling of your nonprofit, its board of directors, its staff, and its clients.
Below are things to consider regarding diversity of all types.
John Hopkins Diversity Wheel from http://web.jhu.edu/dlc/resources/diversity_wheel/
Be mindful of conveying diversity of all types in imagery, including considering:
- Who is placed in a position of authority in group photos
- Whose arms and hands are holding things
- Suggested status, authority, knowledge, etc.
- Suggested family dynamics
- Specific (non-inclusive) religious imagery vs. inclusive seasonal
- Not perpetuating stereotypes
- Diverse body types
- Disabilities
- Age