July 2020 — In Service: The Column of the ADRP President

Michal Shaw
AVP of Donor Relations
Oklahoma State University Foundation

It was a balmy Monday morning in Washington, D.C. I had just taken what would be the first of many trips to work on the Metro. It was my first day, so of course I had worn a suit not knowing what was expected of interns at National Geographic. They hadn’t covered this in my phone interview. After my 45-minute transit I had finally arrived at the corner of 17^th and M and I was wet from head to toe. Was the amount of sweat pooling in my shirt obvious, or could I hide it somehow? As nervous as I was about my soaked blouse, I was reassured when I saw her bright smile and heard her contagious laugh. I immediately identified Meredith as another intern, just as lost and bewildered as me…and drenched with perspiration (she had worn a suit too). From that moment on, we were inseparable.

Weeks later, as Meredith and I were returning from lunch laughing about the previous evening and making plans for the weekend, an older man who appeared to be homeless caught my attention. His eyes were wild, and he was pointing at Meredith and yelling expletives at the top of his lungs. Between spouts of profanity, he shouted the words, “Half breed! Half breed!” Meredith, clearly distraught quickened her pace. When we finally reached the office, I asked my friend “What did that crazy man mean? What was he talking about?” That was the day I, for the first time, began to understand the disparity that still exists in our world. You see, Meredith came from a bi-racial family. Her father was white, and her mother was black. I suppose I just assumed she was black, not knowing or understanding the difference or that she might be perceived differently because she came from a mixed background.

That summer I received an education. Yes, I learned about cartography and heard fascinating stories from National Geographic explorers and photographers, but the biggest learning came in race and diversity. I came from an all-white town in rural Oklahoma. I was ignorant to the racial tensions and inequities still existing in our country. I had read about the race riots in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Los Angeles, California, but Tulsa was ancient history…and I was twelve during the riots in Los Angeles. During the summer of 2002, on the corner of 17^th and M, my eyes were opened to a world I didn’t know existed.

Since that summer in D.C., I’ve been committed to learning and better understanding ethnicity, diversity and inclusion. As a Cherokee tribal member, I’ve also sought to learn more about my own history and ancestors. Professionally, I’ve wrestled with what this looks like in fundraising and philanthropy. Valerie Harris, one of this month’s HUB contributors writes about her personal experience and how she built a team “diverse in ethnicity, gender, life experiences and skills” and how doing so reaped rewards of excellence recognized throughout her organization. And don’t miss Suzanne Bellanger’s article, “A Workplace that Works for All,” where she provides honest and thoughtful approaches to incorporating equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

As I mentioned in my June 8 letter to the membership, I encourage each of you to reflect on what you can do to be part of the solution, and how you can personally strive for equity, diversity and inclusion at your organization. In the meantime, know that ADRP is committed to cultivating a safe environment where all members from all walks of life are valued.

With much respect and appreciation,

Michal