Why Building Representative Boards (BRB)?

Diversity is an essential component of board effectiveness, yet nationally we still see significant over-representation (84% Caucasian) in board demographics while people of the global majority and people with disabilities, to offer two examples, each represent less than 10% of nonprofit board members nationally. This is unacceptable.

As nonprofit leaders and board members, we have a responsibility to do more, starting with an examination of the cultures and oppressive structures within our own organizations and dismantling old systems. Too often, when organizational readiness is not addressed, programs designed to increase board diversity ultimately cause harm and/or tokenize participants and newly-seated board members. 

CEN’s Building Representative Boards program is built on a comprehensive and intentional approach that engages both the potential board candidates and participating nonprofit organizations in training and support to build and maintain an IDEAL board culture. 
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Nonprofit boards that authentically embrace and encourage diversity have the undeniable capacity to deepen their understanding of constituents and community needs and increase their overall effectiveness and impact. We hope this program will act as a catalyst for change in the Silicon Valley (and beyond!), resulting in nonprofit boards that foster belonging and represent a variety of perspectives, experiences, abilities, and cultures. 

Meet the participants! Cohort 1 | Cohort 2 | Cohort 3