The challenges and opportunities for Black leaders in global development

“[O]ne of my most heartbreaking things in my CEO role is just the real acknowledgment and like the disappointments … my arrival, as the CEO does not signal an organization that's all of a sudden, perfectly inclusive,” said Tjada D'Oyen McKenna, CEO of Mercy Corps. McKenna and other Black leaders in global development spoke to Devex Executive Vice President and Executive Editor Kate Warren and Senior Reporter Stephanie Beasley about the challenges they have faced in climbing to the top of organizations that have historically had white leadership. Internal support from board members and colleagues is critical for Black leaders who often are dealing with unique pressures and stress, especially when they are the first Black person to hold that position, they said during this month’s Leader Roundtable event, which took place as part of Black History Month. “The more senior you get, the lonelier it is,” McKenna said. “And we have all been in these situations where we were the only.” Still, it is critical that even if they are the only ones, Black leaders speak up and voice their opinions because “if you are there and you’re not representing what you believe and what you can contribute to the organization, then that’s not a very beneficial contribution to the organization nor to promoting diversity within the organization,” said Aaron Williams, former director of the United States Peace Corps. For that to happen, Black leaders must feel safe, and many, particularly in the United States, are feeling unsafe lately amid a growing backlash to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, said Loyce Pace, assistant secretary for global affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Safety can look like making sure Black team members aren’t shouldering the bulk of equity work, she said. “I don’t need to be the only person in the room talking about health equity,” Pace said. Editor’s Note: Devex holds monthly Leader Roundtables for our Pro members. This special edition for Black History Month was free to access. To join future conversations with leaders from across the global development sector, sign up for Devex Pro.