Another One?

Happy New Year! It's hard to believe another year has passed and as I get older, it does seem to be passing much faster.

Awhile back I read a short article in the Providence Monthly exulting over new leadership for Trinity Rep, the Anthenaeum and Rhode Island NPR. So, is it just me but did anyone notice that all three leaders (although coming from "outside") are White and male? Perhaps I shouldn't be so surprised considering that Rhode Island is majority White and non-Hispanic, and actually increased its number of Whites since 2010 from 80% to 85%. Providence is definitely an anomaly in the Ocean State with people of color outnumbering White Non-Hispanics.

However, these institutions are located in the heart of Providence and yet seemed unable to recruit and hire capable and talented women or people of color for these leadership positions. Is there really a dearth of such candidates? No, there isn't but institutions get stuck in the cycle of hiring those who is familiar to them in likeness and network in the same way. It takes tremendous intentionality and a willingness to re-define leadership that both increases diversity and success in a world that demands nimble innovation and cultural agility.

Rhode Island, we can do better...


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