Equity and Inclusion

Inclusivity remains a core value of Indivisible, enshrined in our organizational principles: “We bring in, welcome, and ensure access and leadership for people from different backgrounds, communities, and identities. We recognize and seek to overturn historic patterns of injustice and marginalization.”

Indivisible has a talented and diverse team carrying out its mission each and every day. As of the end of 2021, 28% of staff identified as a person of color, and 32% identified as LGBTQ. In terms of gender identity, 60% identified as cisgender female, 24% as cisgender male, and 7% as gender non-conforming.

We recognize that inclusivity is not an end state; it’s an ongoing process that requires dedication, learning, and intentionality for every team member and across all our work. Indivisible—like the entire progressive movement—continues to engage in reflection and dialogue as we do the work to build a healthy and inclusive organization and movement.

In 2021, we continued to build on the work that started last year with the creation of a DEI Framework and added a focus on building out and strengthening staff spaces.

As part of our commitment to strengthening staff spaces, the following documents were created and introduced to staff: Internal Communication Guidelines, Slack Guidelines, and Cultural Norms. Each of these documents were created with staff representing all levels to ensure that we were inclusive of different voices. In October we held an all-staff training on work skills that focused on wellness, self care, and conflict resolution.

Last year staff caucuses were active throughout the year with meetings and assisting in programming for their specific heritage month. Caucuses are staff-led affinity groups representing the following communities: Black caucus, People of Color caucus, Queer caucus, Upholding Racial Equity caucus, and Access Alliance.  Heritage month learning activities included film review and discussion, sharing cultural facts, and presentations by outside facilitators.

The work of building an equitable and inclusive organization is never complete. It requires constant commitment and a continual evaluation of progress and challenges. Indivisible remains committed to the hard work of confronting injustice and oppression, and nurturing a culture of inclusivity and respect for all identities and backgrounds.

Core to Indivisible’s theory of change—and the origin of our name—is the idea that we are more powerful if we stand together, united in defense of progressive values. Indivisible is committed to working across the progressive movement, understanding and respecting that partner organizations will adopt a range of approaches and strategies, and represent different constituencies and interests, all in pursuit of our shared goal of a just society.

Indivisible’s vision of a real democracy is only possible if a progressive, multiracial coalition builds the power necessary to win. In order to contribute to building that coalition, we form strong partnerships with leading progressive organizations at the national level that represent large constituencies; we also work to co-build organizing, policy, and communications strategies with groups led by and representing communities of color, following their lead on issues directly impacting them. At the state and local levels, we partner with progressive ecosystems to build a stronger movement. And a core part of our work is supporting local Indivisible leaders in coordinating effectively with each other and with partner organizations and coalitions within their own communities.

Finally, Indivisible’s national team supports groups and group leaders on key skills they need to build inclusive groups including racial equity and inclusion foundations developing partnership, allyship and more. The training team also leads trainings for the full movement as the need for educational opportunities arise. The training program threads racial equity and inclusion throughout trainings focused on other topics and as well holds standalone racial justice, equity, and inclusion trainings, In 2021, over 1,101 Indivisible members participated in diversity, equality, and inclusion trainings.