About CommunityConnective

CommunityConnective is a multi-racial, multi-generational consulting firm that works with nonprofit organizations and small businesses to help them become more aligned with racial equity. CommunityConnective was founded by Heidi Massey, who has benefitted on her racial equity journey from the wisdom and patience of countless people of color who are her friends, mentors, teachers, and accountability partners.

Although Heidi has experienced inequity in her life as a Jewish woman, as a white person she has not been subjected to racism or racist systems of inequity. Therefore, her racial equity work with clients always includes partnerships with people of color who, in addition to bringing their brilliance and wisdom as facilitators, analysts, and planners, are able to do this work through the lens of lived experience with racism.

These partnerships have been built on a base of deeply meaningful relationships that are guided by anti-racist principles and a commitment to always center our needs and the needs of our clients as humans in our interactions with each other.

Diversity is the fruit; Equity is the root
Image courtesy of Danielle Coke Balfour

Diversity and Equity

Frequently, people call this work “diversity” work or “equity, diversity, and inclusion” work. We do this work through a racial equity/racial justice lens and lead specifically with race as opposed to other types of equity in our consulting work. We do this because race is more complicated than other forms of oppression and, as humans, our tendency is to start with what is easiest. This means that if all forms of oppression are being considered, race gets left behind. By leading with racial equity, we signal that people of color, the issues they face, and the perspectives they bring are important. Additionally, because of the ways that structural racism undergirds all oppression in the US, starting with race allows us to tackle multiple layers of oppression. However, although we lead with racial equity, our work is always done through an intersectional lens.

CommunityConnective Values

CommunityConnective has identified five values that we are committed to using in our work. These values serve to guide us in everything we do with our clients and each other.

Relationships, Community, and Accountability

We focus on building and maintaining trusting relationships and community in which people feel accountable to each other.

Integrity

We consistently act in alignment with our values, even when it is challenging and/or no one is watching.

Kindness and Care

The well being of the people we work with is elevated above completing tasks according to a timeline. We facilitate challenging conversations with firmness while always remaining kind.

Vulnerability

We believe that moving an organization forward in its anti-racism work can only take place if everyone involved, particularly those with the most power, show up courageously with a willingness to take risks and make mistakes.

Centering Black and brown people and other people with lived experience of oppression

Those who experience racism and other forms of oppression that are built directly into the structures and systems of the government, institutions, and organizations are the voices that must be at the center of any anti-racism/anti-oppression work, providing the fundamental insights and observations, and leading in decision-making

Guidelines for Our Work

We pride ourselves on our willingness to continuously adapt to the needs of your organization throughout our engagement with you, but there are some consistent guidelines we use:

Working on racial equity is a life-long endeavor, not a check box that can be completed.

We believe it is important to accept people where they are on their journey toward racial equity and to also push them to the outer boundary of where they are able to go through our work together.

Those with power and privilege in any given situation are in a position to embrace discomfort as an opportunity to learn. A willingness to be vulnerable and courageous through this discomfort is the only way progress can be made.

Relationships and community are the building blocks for everything we do. This means that we are committed to doing this work with integrity, which includes being honest even when it is hard, while centering all interactions in kindness and care.

We view our work as a team effort and your knowledge is considered valuable and important in both the planning and implementation process.

Our Team
★★★★★

I have had the pleasure of working with Heidi, Prerna, and Rebecca for the past three years, and I cannot emphasize enough how invaluable their contributions have been to the education and progress of our organization. Their dedication and commitment to our mission have been truly remarkable.

Traci Rivera

Formerly The Night Ministry Chief of Staff

★★★★★

During 2020, post the murder of George Floyd, my organization was in dire need of external assistance to sort through the many emotions flowing through staff. With the help of Heidi Massey’s expertise in social justice and racial equity, her anti-racist work was just what we needed at the time we needed it most. Not only did Heidi help plan the structure and assisted with the facilitation of our racial caucuses, her work started the healing process that was essential in changing the workplace culture around race and building allies. We are more than grateful to have partnered with CommunityConnective and truly value Heidi’s expertise.

Tracy Bishop

Tracy Bishop

Forest Preserves of Cook County Director of Permits, Rentals and Concessions

★★★★★

I’ve had the pleasure of learning from and partnering with Heidi in a variety of ways over the last 10 years – in one to one and small group sessions, workshops, panels, and more! She is a highly skilled, versatile, and conscious facilitator and thought leader in the equity, social justice, and leadership spaces. Heidi’s knowledge base and experience is deep, and she also partners well with other facilitators to ensure the voices and lived experience of diverse participant groups are present. Every learning experience I’ve had with Heidi has been transformative.

Alex Cornwell

Alex Cornwell

Chicago Lights Director of Evaluation and Impact Racial Equity & Social Justice Committee Co-Chair, Chicago Women in Philanthropy

★★★★★

They nurtured my belief that vulnerability is an important value of a leader when changing the culture of an organization that seeks to embody diversity, equity, and inclusivity. Working with Prerna and Heidi through our coaching sessions helped to pay more attention to my inner voice, to trust my intuition, to be open to make mistakes, and to respect the pace of inclusive processes during the construction and implementation of policies and decision-making.

Rev. Carlos Reyes Rodríguez

Rev. Carlos Reyes Rodríguez

Immigration Law & Justice Network Culture & Outreach Manager

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