National Report

People of Color Under-Represented in Public Service Leadership

Native News Network Staff in Native Briefs. Discussion »

NEW YORK – National Urban Fellows, one of the country's oldest leadership development organizations, announced today the findings of "Diversity Counts: Racial and Ethnic Diversity among Public Service Leadership," the first comprehensive review of representation in government, philanthropy, and non-profit organizations. The report is published by National Urban Fellows' Public Service Leadership Diversity Initiative, and presents a current snapshot of the racial and ethnic diversity of leadership in the public service sector.

Tom Cole the Only Native
American in Congress

"Diversity Counts" reveals the continuing dilemma of the under-representation of people of color in public service leadership, while offering that leadership diversity remains both an opportunity and a challenge for public service institutions. The opportunity is for top decision makers in public service to adopt system-wide inclusionary practices and the challenge is to expand opportunities for new diverse perspectives in leadership.

“We believe that diverse and inclusive leadership can more effectively address the complex social issues that confront our nation,”

says Paula Gavin, National Urban Fellows President.

“When the disparities in public service leadership diversity are addressed, the public service sector will have greater capacity and access to people and communities of color.”

She concluded by saying,

“It is our hope that "Diversity Counts," will ignite a national dialogue, and serve as a catalyst for change among groups including members of Congress, state and local elected officials and board of directors for nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. Through the actions of the Public Service Leadership Diversity Initiative, we will find the human capital that will bring new leadership perspectives, skills and ideas to bear toward confronting social policy dilemmas.”

Congressman Michael Honda of California agrees saying,

“I want to thank the National Urban Fellows for publishing the "Diversity Counts" report, which provides a critical, long over-due assessment of diversity and representation in the public sector. In order to face the challenges ahead, we as a nation must address the shortage of qualified leaders of color in the nonprofit, philanthropic and government sectors. As the representative of California's 15th District, one of the most diverse districts in the nation, I know the importance of empowering leaders of diverse backgrounds to solve the most pressing social, political, economic, health and environmental problems.”

The publication shows that for congressional representation, diversity among the combined 535 House and Senate members only about 16 percent are people of color. Specifically, 44 or 8 percent are African American, 27 or 5 percent are Latino/Latina, 10 or 2 percent are Asian Pacific American, and only one less is American Indian.

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posted May 23, 2012 8:50 am edt