When ‘Progressive’ Workplaces Protect the Status Quo

Sometimes it’s not you, it’s the system.

In this episode, we’re calling out the deep dysfunction inside nonprofits, institutions, and “progressive” spaces that claim they want change but quietly resist it at every turn. From the myth of meritocracy to the hollow rituals of “inclusion,” we’re asking: What happens when the mission sounds right, but the culture stays wrong?

We dig into:

• How to spot when your org is resistant to change, no matter what it says publicly
• Why white leadership often escapes accountability while clinging to the optics of DEI
• The emotional toll of advocating internally, especially when you're met with “we’re a family” energy instead of real standards
• What it could look like to professionalize nonprofit leadership with real accountability: transparency, ethical hiring, and oversight

Key Takeaway: Black leaders don’t owe loyalty to broken systems. You have every right to ask hard questions, and to walk away when the answer is silence.

RESOURCES

Are you a woman leader who is depleted, exhausted and looking for a way out? Check out Trenia's 5-part limited series podcast The Burnout Rescue Plan. Click here to listen.

Want to schedule a 1-1 consultation with David? Visit https://strivequity.com/

 

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