From Guilt to Responsibility: A white nonprofit leaders journey into equity work with Cat Lazaroff

In episode 127 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton speaks with Cat Lazaroff. They talk about her work around engaging white-led and majority-white organizations in meaningful culture change to more inclusive, diverse and equitable cultures.

They explore:

• how nonprofit leaders, especially white leaders, can begin and sustain their own equity learning journeys.

• Privilege, identity, conflict, organizational culture, and the necessity of holding multiple truths.

• how culture transformation isn’t about quick fixes, but rather long-term commitments, courageous relationships, and collective learning.

Episode highlights:

[010:20] Starting with the personal

[14:50] Identity and Bias: What’s Seen, What’s Hidden

[19:50] Lived Experience, Assumptions, and Honoring Multiple Truths

[27:20] Managing Conflict and Holding Space

[31:20] Navel Gazing or Doing the Work?

[36:50] Nuance, Polarity, and Organizational Culture

[42:20] Community, and Expanding Belonging

[45:50] Guilt, Blame, and the Journey for White Leaders

[51:20] Final Advice: Don’t Do This Alone

Guest Bio:
Cat Lazaroff

Cat Lazaroff (she/they) is a white, queer consultant who supports anti-racist culture change at nonprofits and small companies. She specializes in helping other white folks center equity, inclusion, justice, and diversity in their work and their lives.

Important Links and Resources:

Cat Lazaroff

Cat Lazaroff, LLC

Deep democracy: https://deepdemocracyusa.com/

Liberatory Design: https://www.nationalequityproject.org/training/liberatory-design-for-equity

White supremacy culture characteristics: https://www.whitesupremacyculture.info/

Resource Media: https://www.resource-media.org/

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