S04E02 - Actioning Antiracism

Conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are essential in every organization. They are also just the beginning of important antiracist work.

Today we are spotlighting one charity that goes beyond DEI workshops and is expecting all their staff to join them on an antiracist journey – everyday.

At the Downtown Boxing Gym in Detroit, Michigan Founder Khali Sweeney and their Executive Director Jessica Hauser discovered that while their organization had grown, racist practices started to creep in.

Khali and Jessica quickly realized that they needed to go beyond a workshop and their DEI policies and protect their staff and the 200+ boys and girls they serve from letting white dominance take over.

Today I am joined in conversation with Jessica about what that looked like, what they did and how they continue the work with all their staff and consistently ask themselves: Are we centering the most marginalized voice in this conversation?

The Downtown Boxing Gym (DBG) is a nationally recognized, Detroit-based nonprofit organization breaking down barriers and providing vital resources to help students thrive. Now in its 15^th year, DBG serves approximately 200 students ages 8-18 with continuing support through age 25, the first years of college and careers. The free, out-of-school time program has a 100% high school graduation rate since its inception.

DBG knocks down barriers like food insecurity, transportation, and the digital divide, and provides a holistic, personalized learning plan for each student, enrichment programming, college and career readiness, social-emotional skills building, basic needs support, and so much more.

Jessica Hauser is a passionate nonprofit leader and as Executive Director of DBG continues to navigate significant growth enabling the program to serve a diverse and growing group of amazing young leaders. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Oakland University and completed coursework in International Children’s Rights at the University of Michigan.

Jessica is a member of the Michigan Afterschool Partnership, a coalition that champions statewide access to quality and equitable out-of-school time programs. She also serves as a board member with the Detroit chapter of Women in Sports and Events (WISE).

Over the last several years, Jessica has spoken on panels for Dreamforce Leading for Change, Crain's 40 Under 40, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative's Whole-Child Convening, We Work, and the Detroit Regional Chamber. She has presented DBG's work to graduate students at Cornell University, led a convening about COVID-safe re-opening with the YDRC (Youth Development Resource Center), and led a discussion about the digital divide with Salesforce.

Jessica’s partner, in life and work, Khali Sweeney is the founder of the Downtown Boxing Gym and had planned to join us in conversation. However, at the time of this recording he was recovering from a concussion and while unable to join us was certainly cheering us on from the sidelines.

Every single day Khali and Jessica expect all their staff – just like the kids they serve – to become the next best version of themselves. As you listen, I’m sure you will agree with me that Khali, Jessica and all their staff are having a massive impact in their community.

DBG is a fabulous example of an organization that takes care of each other so that they can work together to ensure that every child and staff member who walks into their doors they are treated with kindness, compassion and respect.

Links:

The Downtown Boxing Gym: https://dbgdetroit.org/

 Olaudah Kindness Speech https://dbgdetroit.org/videos/#uael-video-gallery-55ebad5-3

Thank you for making this conversation a priority in your day. We are so glad you are part of our community. Please remember to share, review, subscribe to this podcast. And if you have more examples of organizations that you think we should spotlight next season please do let us know.