By Janelle Williams, Ph.D.
This year has been marked by relentless attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion, adding severe strain to an already disinvested racial and economic justice ecosystem, particularly, in the South. Abrupt federal program closures, selective funding retrenchment , and the absence of a coordinated legal defense have left critical work vulnerable. Partners across the sector have been forced to cut essential programs, reduce staff, and temper their messaging to avoid fall out. Meanwhile, the economic exclusion of Black communities persists, underscored by the malicious removal of 300,000 Black women from the labor force and intensifying threats to democracy itself.
We find ourselves at a critical crossroads … One that we’ve arrived at because we have historically avoided some hard, necessary conversations. America’s persistent commitment to racial hierarchy is not an accident of history; it was intentionally built into the fabric of our economy, our policies and our institutions. Anti-Blackness, sexism, classism and colorism are not mere relics; they continue to thrive, actively nurtured within our politics, businesses and civic structures.
My heart is heavy with reflection. Our collective journey toward freedom has been neither linear nor solitary. Shackles of oppression have not vanished; they’ve simply evolved — from plantations to prisons, from burning crosses to coded language attacking justice-oriented movements as “woke!”
These contemporary manifestations reinforce economic chains, maintaining stark inequalities. Black households today possess a median wealth of only $44,890. According to recent Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis data, although Black wealth has grown by 66 percent since 2019, the Black-White median wealth gap has ballooned to $242,000, the largest since records began.
Yet amid deliberate oppression, the undeniable magic of Black communities shines brightly — our resilience, ingenuity and innovation undiminished. Black-owned businesses generate more than $200 billion annually, sustaining more than 3.5 million jobs. Imagine what we could achieve if equitable access to capital were a reality — an estimated additional $13 trillion in GDP by 2050. We are living in a civil rights moment, fighting for our democracy and safeguarding hope and justice for future generations.
But we cannot meet this moment with cautious incrementalism, respectability politics or outdated strategies. We don’t need martyrs; we need victories. This moment calls for bold dreams, expansive thinking, swift action and strategic investment. It demands action from every sector committed to justice. We must anchor ourselves unapologetically in the full dignity of our humanity, refusing to compromise it and instead demanding returns on investments that translate into tangible, transformative progress.
Supremacy thrives in chaos and scarcity; our response must be rooted in abundance, solidarity and collective leadership. Our power lies in unity, strategic partnerships and mutual support. No single organization can dismantle systemic racism alone.
This is our moment to trade abstract ideals for the concrete tools of liberation. We cannot afford further delays or incremental gains. There are actionable opportunities to invest to win:
Invest in Impact, Not Just Missions
Fund collaborative, cohort-based initiatives designed to produce measurable, scalable outcomes. Prioritize partnerships that advance shared, results-oriented agendas.
Build Bold Infrastructure
Strengthen organizations that serve as ecosystem builders, resource brokers and visionary innovators, which will mobilize resources for greater community impact.
Rethink Capacity Building
Critically evaluate traditional notions of “capacity” — often aligned with oppressive frameworks — and commit to equitable, transformative approaches that authentically enhance organizational effectiveness and sustainability.
Amplify Advocacy and Narrative Power
Increase investments in policy advocacy, strategic narrative campaigns, and ecosystem resilience initiatives to shape public discourse, influence policy outcomes and bolster community strength.
Collaborate for Strategic Impact
Forge strategic partnerships with complementary organizations to maximize impact and resource efficiency.
Embrace Agility and Adaptability
Replace traditional, rigid strategic planning methods with agile, emergent learning tools, adaptive strategies and decision-tree modeling to respond dynamically to community needs and opportunities.
Today’s sobering realities underscore that we are not living in “business as usual” times. They demand that we remain grounded in our mission and strategic in execution, advancing economic justice with both courage and clarity. At Kindred Futures, we have chosen not to succumb to narratives of retreat. Instead, we have sharpened our value proposition and stood firm in our race-explicit and unapologetic commitments that are not exclusive. We need each other!
This clarity has positioned us as a trusted and resilient partner. Our work is both soulful and strategic. And as a “think and do” tank embedded in the Southern economic justice movement, we are determined to challenge entrenched barriers while building new pathways for community wealth.