At risk. Vulnerable. Low-income. Disadvantaged. Blight. All words that many nonprofits have used in association with the work they do and the populations they serve. But despite good intentions, this kind of deficit-based language can reinforce stereotypes about and stigmatize the communities that organizations are trying to support and empower.
Asset-Framing in nonprofit communications is not merely inverting a negative word into a positive one. It’s about a meaningful shift in both the narrative and our perceptions to start putting the onus of societal issues onto the systems and policies that perpetuate them—not the people who are affected. Health and health care challenges, for instance, are often viewed as the responsibility of the person and not a result of social and economic inequities. So how can nonprofits stay true to their missions and define these very real problems while also emphasizing and acknowledging the strengths and resiliency of people and communities?
Please join NYHealth for a discussion with Trabian Shorters, CEO, BMe Community, on how nonprofits can take a more intentional, thoughtful approach to language for allying with communities and how communicators can better employ more strength-based storytelling in their organizations’ work.
The 30-minute webinar will feature a short discussion followed by audience Q&A.
Please note: this webinar will be live-stream only and it will not be recorded.