on @WILDinnovators's upcoming Women in Global Development Leadership Forum on 5-6 May 2021.

To WILD's leaders including @F_Macaulay - this is in the spirit of accountability. It will not be comfortable but is necessary b/c it's 2021 and we shouldn't have to make these asks.

What we are detailing below includes our comments and suggestions on the panels that have been put together for your upcoming forum in May starting with the plenary with USAID on "Our Journey to Bold and Inclusive Leadership." @CharitySoWhite @nomorewanels @NonprofitAF

1. Your plenary session is by @F_Macaulay and @USAID. USAID's journey to 'bold and inclusive leadership' has included causing incredible harm to BIPOC staff: Pay disparities, disparities in promotion & racism to name a few systemic issues within USAID. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/usaid-staff-demand-action-agency-leaders-over-systemic-racism-n1230316

1a. Having a plenary session hosted by one of the largest development agencies in the world who have not only promoted and upheld white supremacy culture within their organization but on the ground working with local communities is harmful. You could make a different choice!

2. Another panel: "WHERE DO WE BEGIN? TACKLING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION" Your description of the work of EDI is harmful. Equity is not a destination - it is a journey. Your trivialisation of the immense disparities and issues that BIPOC people in development face is violent

3. The description on the panel: SERVING AS A CHIEF OF PARTY: NAVIGATING POWER & EMPOWERING OTHERS - is not ok - esp this part, "...the significance of locally led responses mixed with world class expertise..."

3a. We see the framing in a panel talking about power as deliberate. To frame 'locally led responses' as not being THE experts is white supremacy. Additionally, we are far from reaching a post #AidToo world given the immense harm perpetually caused by this sector.

4. "What is Feminist Leadership" The fact that we even have to say this NOW in THESE times is .

YOU HAVE NO FEMINIST BIPOC WOMEN ON YOUR PLENARY. Are you really saying IN 2021 that WHITE WOMEN continue to define feminist leadership?!

Do you NOT SEE how problematic this is?

5. "FROM YOUTH VOICE TO BLM: MAKING DEI A PART OF AN ORGANIZATION'S DNA"
This thread is exhausting - maybe @nomorewanels @LeadrshpSoWhite or @CharitySoWhite can help fill in why this is problematic: We'll start - Where Are The Black Development Leaders In This Panel

6. Your registration fees are NOT EQUITABLE or ACCESSIBLE. You are holding a leadership forum that is not open to young development leaders who CANNOT AFFORD your fees due to PAY INEQUITY and WHITE SUPREMACY in Development.

An option for donated tickets could help support this.

7. To wrap up this .
your panels promote white supremacy culture, white feminism, and harmful power dynamics of white supremacy in global development
your fees are not accessible or equitable

Remember - accountability isn't an attack. It's an invitation to do better.

Finally - we will be watching the developments of your BRIDGE Survey closely but would encourage you to support the work of BIPOC led collectives who are already doing this critical work - and with an antiracist lens. Namely - us - The Racial Equity Index. https://oxfordhr.co.uk/2021/03/30/how-diverse-is-the-global-development-sector-lets-find-out/