106: Hard Conversations & How We Have Them from Money to Race with Andrew Grant Thomas

Maya Angelou famously said, “Now that I know better, I do better.” It’s a sentiment that perfectly captures the spirit behind EmbraceRace, a nonprofit dedicated to nurturing children who are thoughtful, informed, and brave in taking on all aspects of equity and justice. On this episode of What the Fundraiser its founder, Andrew Grant Thomas, helps us explore difficult conversations – why we need to have them and what they can look like. It’s not always going to be pretty, and that’s okay! In fact, says Andrew, that’s the point. Progress is a process that requires us – as fundraisers, parents and community members – to chip away at false assumptions and structural racism in all its ugliness. The more we engage, the quicker we can break through to meaningful dialogue and understanding. 

Andrew shares fascinating insights from the frontlines of early childhood, where honest conversations need to start. You’ll learn about EmbraceRace’s four foundational pillars and how this vibrant nonprofit is guided by them. He also invites us to “imagine if we understood race in a way that allowed all the range of emotions to show and not disproportionately things like fear and anxiety and resentment.” We also discuss the concept of giving ourselves grace, which is not an excuse to step away when we mess up. To the contrary, when interactions around race (or any other sensitive topic) go awry, we must be brave and push forward. So long as there’s an effort to repair, says Andrew, an opportunity exists to grow and improve. In other words, it’s progress – not perfection!


(02:01) A brief intro to EmbraceRace


(04:25) About the pillars Andrew and his organization deploy in helping people be brave about difficult conversations

(09:21) How EmbraceRace helps people move through any resistance and face head-on issues.

(12:24) Where resistance comes from

(17:41) How kids (versus adults) understand and respond with openness and curiosity to narratives around race and justice. 

(20:06) Why it’s okay to have uncomfortable conversations.

(22:04) Great advice about confronting race that applies equally to fundraising

(25:46) About knowing that things will come out right IF we keep on trying and making repairs along the way. 

(29:44) What accountability looks like and Andrew’s assessment of DEI, educational and other efforts to combat structural racism and the very real ripple effects across society.


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Many thanks to our sponsor, Keela for making this episode possible. Our friends at Keela offers nonprofits like yours a comprehensive fundraising and donor management software, equipped with powerful tools to expand your reach, increase fundraising revenue, and foster a dedicated community of supporters. Want a user-friendly platform that provides actionable data? Learn more at Keela.