Let’s Talk Team Dynamics and Racial Equity Readiness with Annie McKay | S1, Ep 10
When an organization goes through race equity training, people have feelings, reactions, and emotions, but there isn’t always a place to hold them. Today’s guest, Annie McKay, is passionate about supporting organizations and networks seeking to center racial justice, equity, and inclusion in their internal operations as they pursue their aspirations for racial justice. They join me on this week’s episode to discuss how to recognize and navigate the emotions that teams have throughout their equity journey. Annie sheds light on “connective tissue” and what it means in an organization with regard to racial equity, why trust is so critical, and the difference between technical and adaptive challenges. For a better understanding of why it is so important to help people work through their feelings as they move through their equity journey and some helpful tips on how to achieve this, check out the episode.
Note: This episode carries a trigger warning for infant death and loss.
Here is a Glance into this Episode:
1- An introduction to Annie McKay. [0:01:17]
2- Annie’s connection to justice and belonging and how this led them into this line of work. [0:03:03]
*3- TW: For listeners who wish to avoid the topic of infant death and loss, skip audio from [0:05:49] to [07:53]. How infant mortality in Kansas impacted Annie’s journey. [0:05:49]
4- The difference between technical challenges and adaptive challenges. [0:12:39]
5- The term “connective tissue” and what it means with regard to racial equity. [0:16:35]
6- Why trust is so critical. [0:19:01]
7- The importance of acknowledging how people feel about change. [0:23:49]
8- What opportunities Annie sees in their work for organizations and with practitioners. [0:29:45]
9- The challenge of not pausing to reflect, revisit, and refine on the journey. [0:32:47]
10 – The importance of creating space to debrief in ways that are not threatening. [0:34:51]
11- The most valuable advice that Annie would give a client to move them forward in their equity journey about why it all starts with the why. [0:36:57]
Resources Mentioned
Racial Equity Impact Analysis Tool – a tool to anchor your racial equity decision-making
Brown v. Board of Education – National Historical Park, Topeka Kansas
About Annie McKay:
Previously president and CEO of Kansas Action for Children, Annie McKay now serves in an independent supporting role to organizations and networks seeking to center equity and inclusion in their internal operations as they pursue strengthening their commitments to racial justice. Before stepping down as KAC’s leader to pursue their purpose and passion for anti-racism, Annie was the executive director of the Kansas Center for Economic Growth and a former Rockwood Leadership Fellow, Sunflower Foundation Advocacy Fellow, University of Kansas Women of Distinction honoree, and KHSA Kansas Children’s Champion. Annie’s leadership roles also included serving as an appointed member of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and the Governor’s Education Council. They earned a BSW from the University of Kansas and an AM from the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration.
To connect with Annie, you can find them on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-mckay-ks/
Click here for a transcript of the episode.
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