By: Temma Pinkofsky, Project Manager, Chanel Grenaway and Associates Inc.
Most of my career has focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and advocating for anti-racist, anti-oppressive practices. EDI also shapes my academic work, and as a queer, Black woman, it’s deeply rooted in my personal life. Despite years of experience, I still struggle with doubt—questioning whether my efforts are making an impact, especially without immediate results. These uncertainties have often dampened my spirit, and are discouraging and exhausting.
To reignite my fire and to stay motivated, I’ve embraced a Contribution Mindset, a concept I’ve reflected on since joining Chanel Grenaway & Associates Inc. A Contribution Mindset is the belief that we all have valuable skills, experiences, and insights to share toward advancing EDI. It’s about recognizing both our strengths and those of others, fostering collaboration, and trusting that small actions can lead to meaningful change over time.
Embracing a contribution mindset has helped me reflect on my strengths and how they actively support change. It has also reconnected me with my theory of change, inspired by adrienne maree brown’s concept of emergent strategy. brown describes emergent strategy as a “strategy for building complex patterns and systems of change through relatively small interactions.” I view this approach as aligning closely with a contribution mindset, emphasizing the ripple effect of change even the smallest actions can create in advancing EDI.
This perspective gives me hope, highlighting the potential in every effort I make, no matter how small. It also motivates me to keep moving forward step by step, while encouraging others to contribute, whether in small or big ways. Together, these individual contributions can spark collective action that leads to greater and lasting impact.
So, if you’re feeling discouraged in your EDI journey, try adopting a Contribution Mindset. Reflect on the strengths, skills, and knowledge you and others bring to the table. And remember, even the smallest contribution can inspire others and build momentum toward collective action and greater change.
Chanel Grenaway & Associates Inc. is committed to helping leaders, staff teams and boards align with their anti-racism and inclusion goals through continuous learning and practice change. Do you need support to start or accelerate your equity practice and outcomes? Happy to hop on a call with you to see how I might help. Let’s chat.