The Ethical Rainmaker

Rewind: White Women as Gatekeepers w/ Fleur Larsen

Episode Summary

“A lot of us, white women, are coming to our work with some deep martyrdom as the motivator. And this equation of ‘my worth is dependent on how helpful I am…’ well, helping is just the sunny-side of control.” We're on spring break! And since so many new listeners have joined us lately, we’re going to air our most popular episode from Season 1: White Women as Gatekeepers, featuring Fleur Larsen! With white women as the primary demographic of the nonprofit workforce, this episode begins addressing white women in their role as gatekeepers. In this episode, Fleur Larsen, a DEI consultant and a white woman, talks with Michelle to answer questions like: Why are there so many white DEI consultants making money off of racism? What does gatekeeping look like? How do you know you are gatekeeping and what should you do when you are called out? How do you call out a gatekeeper?

Episode Notes

While many awful DEI practices exist, Fleur has built a reputation of accountability and truly showing up. She mentions many great assets in this episode, which we've linked to below. Check out her upcoming workshops here.

• Michelle talks with Fleur Larsen, a facilitator and DEI consultant with a great rep
• Fleur’s next workshop is Power With Not Power Over for white women, starting May 2020
• She is one of the founders of Skate Like a Girl (est. 2000) and comes from the therapy, education and nonprofit spaces

References:

• WOAH she does 60% of the work for 40% of the pay when she works with BIPOC folx. Did you hear that? Just wanted to point it out.
• adrienne marie brown and Emergent Strategy - learn more about emergent strategy!
• We mentioned Lola’s Ink, a new podcast by Jenna Hanchard which also features a great story from Jenna and guest Jodi-Ann Burey => In A World Full of Karens Be An Elizabeth...check it out!
• Fleur talked about The Crown Act, created in 2019 to ensure protection against discrimination based on race-based hairstyles by extending statutory protection to hair texture and styles like braids, locs, twists, and knots in the workplace and public schools. Yes, this is still happening.
• Fleur mentions Resmaa Menakem, therapist and author of books like My Grandmother’s Hands
• The Power of a Fundraiser: is an article I wrote, that was referenced...
• Fleur gives props to Aparna Rae, Ligaya Domingo, Jodi-Ann Bury, Regent Brown, Tami Farber and Michelle Gislason
• Gratitude to Falon Sierra  for letting us use her new song “Sprained Ankles" throughout this episode - its so good right?

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