In this episode, Michael Farris shares stories of his work as the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at the YMCA of the USA. Michael sees current diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the Movement as a direct thread from foundational philosophies spelled out by Y founder, George Williams, more that 130 years ago. These initiatives seek to unravel issues of race, socio-economic status, and marginalization in our country, and provide solidarity for people who experience such disparities.  It is through this commitment to building equitable community that the Y is able to maintain healthy relationships and address systemic problems that affect everyone.  

 Contributing to Broader Systemic Change  

The first stop for Michael is to address systemic problems. If we are putting band-aids on systemic issues, we aren’t solving for an eroding foundation. This means we only resolving a symptom of a greater problem that will manifest in new ways down the road.  

 Hear Critical Conversations as Passion and Care  

It is far too easy to engage our emotional reactions to critical questions and conversations. Shifting our reactions to hear critical views as an expression of passion and care toward a better future helps build systems rooted in trust and truth.  

 Collaboration is Key  

The only way to unravel these deep-seated issues is through collaboration. If this work is done in isolation, the same problems will continue to be present. Through addressing the needs for broader systemic change with passion and care, we can find new paths forward together.  

This interview was recorded on April 8, 2021