Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, & Liberation
The Center for Excellence in Nonprofits (CEN) is an anti-racist organization committed to centering race equity in all we do. We believe strongly that centering race results in practices and outcomes that will address the structural and institutional issues the nonprofit sector has as a whole. We are an organization that centers inclusion, diversity, equity, access, and liberation (IDEAL) principles in all that we do. We believe to do this effectively we must practice and continue to grow in shared community - that fosters truth, inclusion, and belonging.
Why IDEAL?
Historically, diversity efforts in organizations (if any) consisted of only a few hours of training and fell drastically short. Often, work in this area is limited to "DEI" content, whereas CEN expands our focus to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, and Liberation (IDEAL) principles. The added element - Access - exemplifies a commitment to foster attitudes, behaviors, and procedures that facilitate access; it promotes equity and diversity, advances inclusion, and allows people to maximize their contributions. The second element - Liberation - is the gaining of full social or economic opportunities for a particular group and is ultimately freedom from oppression, allowing one to be their whole self. Liberation and Access are integral steps that are often overlooked and excluded which tends to undermine DEI efforts. Below we further define each of the IDEAL principles:
Inclusion
CEN believes it is a universal human right. It moves beyond diversity and toward creating an equitable environment, where the richness of ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives is harnessed. Inclusion is the act of creating space where each person is authentically valued, respected, and supported.
Diversity
Our different identities such as age, race, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, physical/mental ability, sexual orientation, spiritual practice/beliefs, employment status, geographic location, or other characteristics.
Equity
When a person or group receives the unique opportunities needed to reduce or eliminate barriers, equity is demonstrated. It is a process that begins by acknowledging an unequal starting place and works to correct and address imbalance. Equity ensure that people have the opportunity to grow, contribute, and develop, regardless of their identity.
Access
Also referred to as accessibility, this refers to the equitable right, engagement, or entry for everyone, regardless of human ability and experience. For organizations, it refers to how they encompass and celebrate characteristics and talents that each individual brings. It is about representation for all.
Liberation
The gaining of equal rights or full social or economic opportunities for a particular group, including the protection from abuse or exploitation. It is ultimately freedom from oppression, allowing one to be their whole self.
Inclusion
CEN believes it is a universal human right. It moves beyond diversity and toward creating an equitable environment, where the richness of ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives is harnessed. Inclusion is the act of creating space where each person is authentically valued, respected, and supported.
Diversity
Our different identities such as age, race, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, physical/mental ability, sexual orientation, spiritual practice/beliefs, employment status, geographic location, or other characteristics.
Equity
When a person or group receives the unique opportunities needed to reduce or eliminate barriers, equity is demonstrated. It is a process that begins by acknowledging an unequal starting place and works to correct and address imbalance. Equity ensure that people have the opportunity to grow, contribute, and develop, regardless of their identity.
Access
Also referred to as accessibility, this refers to the equitable right, engagement, or entry for everyone, regardless of human ability and experience. For organizations, it refers to how they encompass and celebrate characteristics and talents that each individual brings. It is about representation for all.
Liberation
The gaining of equal rights or full social or economic opportunities for a particular group, including the protection from abuse or exploitation. It is ultimately freedom from oppression, allowing one to be their whole self.
