September 19, 2002 | Read Time: 2 minutes
Q. I am a first-generation college-educated, African-American male. How can I turn my background –which includes growing up in Chicago, attending Catholic schools, and serving in the U.S. Air Force –into a plus for nonprofit employers? How do I get my co-workers and supervisors to embrace cultural nuances when they champion the idea of mainstreaming everyone?
A. A lot depends on what, specifically, you did while you were in the Air Force, says Paul Spivey, president of the Edwin Gould Foundation for Children, in New York, and chairman of the Association of Black Foundation Executives. If you were an officer, you could emphasize your experience in managing people, for instance, or if you worked in technology, that could also be a plus for a charity. But you needn’t worry about “spinning” your background. Based on the information you’ve provided, nonprofit employers are likely to be impressed. “He’s clearly a giving person, a hard worker. He completed college first generation, went into the military. He has a lot of personal qualities that could likely benefit an organization,” says Mr. Spivey.
In fact, you’ll want to emphasize your experience working with many different groups of people by explaining how you worked to solve problems and manage interpersonal differences between groups, a matter of key concern to many nonprofit organizations, says Yolanda Nunn, a diversity consultant for nonprofit organizations in Culver City, Calif. “The experiences you bring will be important in assisting nonprofit leaders in responding to individual and community needs in culturally appropriate and sensitive ways,” says Ms. Nunn.
Your question on diversity is trickier. Most nonprofit organizations are aware of the need for diversity — at least, in theory. “There are many organizations that, in fact, embrace diversity, but there are some that are not quite as good at it,” says Mr. Spivey. Since it sounds like you’re in a situation where you feel diversity isn’t being adequately addressed, he recommends that you create a support system for yourself, both inside and outside of your organization. Mr. Spivey suggests that you check out service organizations like 100 Black Men, which has chapters located around the country, and also consider your college alumni office, your church, and your state’s nonprofit association.
