Business Partner Highlight: Hanif Fazal
Hanif Fazal is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at the Center for Equity and Inclusion (CEI), a specialized consulting agency focused on advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts within organizations, education systems, and communities. Since our partnership launched in 2019, SVP Portland has been a resource and capacity building partner for CEI. In turn, CEI provides us training opportunities and consultation that help advance our equity work.
Q: Why did you choose to partner with SVP, and why is the partnership important to you?
We were a young business when we initially approached SVP with regard to partnership possibilities. We had a solid vision for our organization and our programming felt just as strong. Yet we didn’t have the operational expertise that we needed if we were truly going to grow into a sustainable and profitable business. SVP was able to provide critical support and mentorship to our organization. Through our partnership we were able to build finance and operational systems that were desperately needed.
To this day I still feel strongly that CEI’s ongoing success is due in part to the support and partnership we received from SVP. We can’t say enough about how instrumental SVP has been to our business. We are always evolving as an organization. It is incredibly important to have access to experienced professionals that can help us navigate new terrain or think differently about how we are addressing our current business efforts.
Q: Why is the work you do at CEI so crucial, and how can it help perspectives on philanthropy?
CEI began as a foundation-driven initiative for nonprofits to engage in a long-term, racial equity-focused model of organizational change. We look beyond a “check the box” approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We bring a comprehensive approach that is both personal and beneficial to organizations of all kinds. Our team shares a deep and collective commitment to building equitable and inclusive communities. We use the term “communities” purposely. We see the workplace, classroom, board room, civic life – as community. We see community existing wherever we come together under a common purpose or mission. The world of philanthropy is absolutely a community.
Our mission is to transform the spaces we work and live in, and we have five core beliefs:We Believe
Institutional and systemic transformation is possible when individuals are willing to build the requisite, will, passion, and consciousness to change the status quo.
Advancing equity occurs across all sectors of life amongst all populations everywhere.
Basing work on racial equity is essential to closing persistent disparities while providing opportunities to address intersecting disparities such as gender and age.
Institutions must prioritize time and strategic use of resources in order to advance equity and close disparities.
Engaging facilitation, curriculum, and learning environments are a powerful method to create individual and organizational transformation. By doing so, we collectively deepen resolve, raise consciousness, and broaden our skills to lead for equity.
Q: In general, what motivates you in life?
That is easy. NOTHING motivates me more in life than being a father of color. Fatherhood anchors me in purpose and holds me to a level of accountability that no other role or identity of mine can come close to.
Q: What is one thing that can instantly make your day better?
Anything chocolate instantly makes my day (or night) better.
Q: What is your favorite spot in Portland?
My favorite spot in Portland is my backyard when I have family and friends over. It always brings me comfort, laughter, and connection.