Abstract
Problem. Despite billions of dollars invested in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and social justice policies and programs globally, they are hardly moving the needle. These policies and programs usually lack the resources and authority to make structural and systemic change. Social justice movements like the Occupy movement, Women’s March, and Black Lives Matter have garnered unprecedented mobilization and support because the experiences of marginalized, disenfranchised, and minority individuals are no longer tenable.
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to provide a practical toolkit for networks to organize and strategically use community assets for the development of diverse, equitable, and inclusive communities through a mixed-methods approach. The toolkit provides instruments for practitioners to use in constructing, facilitating, and managing asset-based community development (“ABCD”) networks.
Methodology. This is a phenomenological study of networks to develop a guide that will assist network leaders in strategically planning and organizing network resources to accomplish the goals and mission of the network. The 23 executives and community leaders participated in semistructured interviews as the basis for this phenomenological study of organizational leadership, network construction and performance, and change management.
Findings. The study produced a network effects and analysis toolkit (NEAT) composed of tools to guide the implementation, execution, measurement, and reporting of an ABCD network. This study produced two models: the 5Es model and the TRUTH model. The 5Es offer a performance process and a change management cycle. The 5Es stand for envision, engage, enable, execute, evaluate, and emerge. The TRUTH model is a facilitation model for managing heterophilic networks that stand for transparency, relationships, understanding, trust, and healing.
Conclusions and Recommendations. Public administrators and community organizers can join forces and create dynamic community development outcomes for all residents, workers, and patrons of the community by using the 5Es and TRUTH models. By expanding internal assets and leveraging external resources, communities can meaningfully transform in a way that makes them more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and sustainable.