Meet Camelback's 2021 Capital Collaborators: Rachel Van Parys
What drew you to participate in Camelback Ventures’ 2021 Capital Collaborative?
The Capital Collaborative is a great opportunity to get real about how racism shows up in our lives and our work, and to stop avoiding the difficult conversations and feelings that often surface for white people when we talk about race. This is also a great way to build a network of other funders who want to be more explicitly antiracist.
What has the highlight of the program been for you so far?
Having designated time and space to think intentionally about how to address racism within myself and my work has been really powerful. The mix of group learning sessions and 1:1 coaching is a great model for how to continue antiracist conversations outside of the Capital Collaborative program.
Why do you believe it is important for white people in particular to do anti-racism work?
Doing this work in community with other white folks is critical - we are the creators and sustainers of racism, and until we address its roots within ourselves and our communities, we will keep perpetuating cycles of harm.
What is one action you plan to take in the near future to drive racial equity in your role?
I am looking forward to using the equity audit of our funding practices to shape future iterations that are grounded in anti-racism.
What is something you’ve learned that you were excited to share with colleagues, friends, and/or family?
The concept of cleaning the water instead of fixing the fish has been a really helpful framework in determining which efforts are most impactful. Creating a new, radical future based in liberation requires us to change environments, instead of encouraging folks to adapt to harmful systems that already exist.
Camelback Ventures’ Capital Collaborative works with white funders and social impact investors who want to deepen their individual and organizational commitment to racial and gender equity — but may not know how. Our unique approach brings together a community of white accomplices to engage in an introspective and concrete curriculum, to diversify their networks and make their grantmaking processes more equitable. You can learn more and sign up for Camelback Ventures’ next Capital Collaborative, click here.