Empathy is the Bridge Between Love and Action: Learning to Lead with Love in the Face of Racial Injustice with Nathaniel Smith

The R.A.C.E. Podcast

As an advocate, leader, and servant of any community, especially communities committed to Race-centered change processes, it can be easy to get lost in all the noise. This work isn’t easy, and often we show up as flawed, human, and influenced by our own pain and need for change, justice, and equity. We can sometimes get so embroiled in the politics of accolades, salary, and being at the forefront of technological progress that we forget what should be at the center of racial justice work: Empathy. In the face of past and present patterns of white oppression, it isn’t easy to lead with love. The weight of the racial injustice and dehumanization that has been meted out to certain communities is enough to make you want to holler! So how do we begin the ten thousand-mile journey to doing this work and centering racial equity in our work and our day-to-day lives? Today’s guest offers us a simple answer to meditate on: Do the best that you can to be as real and authentic as possible, lead with love and empathy.

On today’s episode of The R.A.C.E Podcast, I am joined by an amazing thought leader and provocateur: Nathaniel Smith of the Partnership for Southern Equity (PSE). Join Nathaniel and I for a riveting and re-affirming conversation on empathy and how it is the cornerstone of racial equity work. Tune in to hear more about why it is vital that we keep running this race, the significance of connecting with the heart for a purpose-driven life, and why it is more important to focus on our assignment than our accolades.

Meet Nathaniel Smith:

Nathaniel Smith is the Founder and Chief Equity Officer at the Partnership for Southern Equity (PSE), an Atlanta based organization involved in race-centered change processes in the American South. Through utilizing an equity agenda, PSE aims to address the inequities in our communities so prosperity can be created and shared by all. They believe that there are groups that have much more support systems and resources that enable their success, while others are forced to rely on more uncertain circumstances in under-resourced communities. Therefore, PSE works to advance just outcomes that are sensitive to the needs and circumstances of the populations in question – erasing the barriers that stand in the way for everyone to succeed.

Among PSE’s notable accomplishments was the creation of the American South’s first equity mapping and framing tool, the Metro Atlanta Equity Atlas, and co-authoring numerous reports ,including: “Growing the Future: The Case for Economic Inclusion in Metropolitan Atlanta”, and “Employment Equity: Putting Georgia on the Path to Inclusive Prosperity.” PSE also le

Hi listener! Please take our short Listener Survey HERE to give The R.A.C.E. Podcast team feedback on the show. We will use the feedback to inform how we approach conversations in the future. Upon completion, you will be entered in our quarterly drawing for a $100 Visa gift card! Your email address will only be used for this purpose. Thanks in advance - we appreciate your feedback.
Connect with Keecha Harris and Associates:

• Website: https://khandassociates.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/keecha-harris-and-associates/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/khandassociates
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCukpgXjuOW-ok-pHtVkSajg/featured

Connect with Keecha:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keechaharris/