September Note From the President and CEO

Together, we will realize a world with better end-of-life care and options for everyone because we choose to embrace our differences.

by Kim Callinan
Sep 29, 2023 Kim Callinan author newsletter september 2023 newsletter

Living in Washington, D.C., on any given day I can discover and enjoy music, dance, art, food, celebrations and people of over 100 nationalities and ethnic groups. I love that a conversation with a taxi driver can result in a deeper understanding of another perspective and that I have the opportunity to expand my palate by exploring unfamiliar traditional cuisine from the many cultures represented in this city. The diversity enriches my life and is precisely what makes America exceptional.  

For this reason — and so many others — I am deeply saddened to see diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts under such ferocious attack. DEI is simply about learning to relate effectively with people from different backgrounds so that we can all appreciate and respect each other and our differences. DEI is about humanity, not politics. Yet this vital and unifying practice is in retreat in so many settings.  

For Compassion & Choices, DEI efforts are mission-critical. Without it, we would simply be unable to fulfill our mission to improve care, expand options and empower everyone to chart their own end-of-life-journey. That can only happen by reaching an audience that reflects the demographics of the United States. DEI efforts are also mission-accelerating: Data demonstrates that DEI improves decision-making and leads to more significant innovation. So, as we foster a more diverse, equitable and inclusive movement, we will achieve our mission and do so faster: Everyone wins. 

In 2018, the Compassion & Choices board of directors recognized the need to prioritize DEI, and we began an intentional journey to authentically advocate for and support community members from diverse backgrounds. This included adopting a new strategic plan and DEI values statement, and expanding our investment in representational leadership councils to allow them to guide programming to reach their own communities.  

I wish I could report that the journey has been easy, that nobody was hurt along the way and that we have arrived. Not surprisingly, none of this is true. However, we have made progress, know much more about how to achieve it and fully intend to keep going. 

This month, I witnessed a powerful example of our commitment come to life at an inspiring event, The Journey Home: A Comprehensive Discussion on the Power of Planning.

Our African American Leadership Council initiated and orchestrated the hybrid event, which took place in person and online. It gathered prominent Black leaders nationwide to provide resources and practical tools; nearly 1,000 people registered to attend. The day was filled with lessons and tips on achieving a peaceful end, inspiring more people to get involved. By all metrics, The Journey Home was a rousing success.  

As is almost always the case at a Compassion & Choices event, passion for the issue was high, dedication was strong, and death was discussed with compassion and respect. Even so, the atmosphere and discussions were notably different: Participants were drawn to our work from personal experience or an understanding that when you plan for the end, you can leave a legacy for your loved ones, not from unexpected or tragic experiences or a rights-based frame. Faith was at the heart of the discussion, and the many faith leaders participating were a source of inspiration and hope. And the experience was steeped in African culture, from food to music to traditions.  

The differences were not better or worse than other Compassion & Choices events; they were simply different. However, those differences seemed essential to creating a sense of belonging strong enough for participants to tackle the emotionally heavy topic of death. In other words, unless we intentionally invest in creating culturally relevant programming and materials, many people will not “see” a place for themselves in the end-of-life movement, and we will fall short of achieving our mission. 

Of course, this was one event in one community. We will continually replicate this sense of belonging across the nation. Furthermore, over time Compassion & Choices leaders and activists of all races and ethnicities will learn to embrace and navigate cultural differences more instinctively. When that occurs, we’ll have events where people of different backgrounds can come together and express themselves with unbridled authenticity. Differences will be embraced and respected, and we will all learn and grow from the rich diversity we are privileged to experience. 

Given the universality of our mission and the underlying values of respect and compassion that unite our supporters, the end-of-life movement is uniquely positioned to create a sense of belonging and inclusion for diverse populations. The seeds of realizing this vision are already germinating with steady successes to build upon. Today, I forge ahead with renewed optimism and confidence that together we will realize a world with better end-of-life care and options for everyone because we choose to embrace our differences.