Introduction to Perspectives
My professional life as a practitioner and teacher of organizational culture and financial management as a vehicle for storytelling has fueled my desire to document and talk about the lessons I have learned over the years as they relate to management (of both systems and people). My personal story as a Black gay man committed to social justice, as a lover of the arts, and as a believer in the importance of “being present” in living your life has led me to writing about all that I have experienced and all that I have accomplished over the years…basically my journey and insights.
The craft of writing — as a storytelling narrative — has been swirling around in my head for a number of years. I finally feel as if I have “been present enough in my own life” to comment on how I see the world around me — both professionally and personally. Even though I have written a few short pieces in the last several years, this next chapter of my life represents a commitment to sharing my insights and telling my story. Through a series of articles, essays, and blog posts, I will be sharing observations and examples of organizations’ grappling with and building sustainable, inclusive cultures and infrastructure. My writings will be infused with my experiences working in the nonprofit sector over thirty years and the spaces I have occupied and thrived in as a Black gay man dedicated to justice and equity.
I have three primary topics to explore. These topics can be interrelated in discussing what makes an organization be sustainable and thrive. The first two topics are organizational culture dynamics and leadership development as the DNA of — or core to — successful organizations. The third topic is the importance of sound financial management (also known as the strategic allocation of resources), as both a technical skill and storytelling strategy. Putting together all of these topics is important in achieving a 360 degree perspective in organizational management.
My hope is that my writing will serve to illuminate how my intersectionality of identities has shaped my life and helped me to be the person I am both professionally and personally. I also believe that this series of articles, blogs, and essays will be a helpful blueprint for the next generation of nonprofit professionals, especially Black and Brown LGBTQ+ folks who are often left with a sense that “they are alone” or trailblazers standing firmly in their space as nonprofit leaders. My journey is one of the many journeys out there and I have come to believe that if we do not document our stories, the most important contributions to the social justice and equity movements will not be acknowledged or celebrated.