12/04/2020
What is one topic you can present on or talk about forever??
For me, it's Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) which is no small talk at all!
I was honored to be a panelist on this topic recently. Thanks ! When it comes to how we can move the needle forward, here are my 3 recommendations:
💜 Conversations and collaborations. I strongly believe that conversations help us to share experiences, narratives, concerns and recommendations. These conversations are not easy, but they help is to understand our various perspectives, why DEI is important and necessary, and what ways we can get there where everyone feels the impact and value.
💜 Pause and Reflect. We are so busy in our own little worlds and sometimes this keeps us from seeing things for what they really are. Just pause and reflect. Think about who's in the rooms and who's not in the rooms when certain decisions are being made. Who's getting hired and promoted. Who's leaving or getting fired. Who's getting the recognition and vsisibilig and who's not. Think about how our own privileges and unconscious biases are contributing to the disparities and lack of representation. And please understand that we all have some level or privilege and bias. Recognizing and acknowledging this is helpful as we have these conversations and look for impactful change.
💜 Be Intentional and Deliberate. After reflecting and realizing the gaps, be intentional about developing programs and initiatives that help cure those gaps. Where are we recruiting from? What publications are we marketing in? What vendors are we using and what are we demanding of them when it comes to promotion diversity and inclusion.
There's so much more that I can say, but yal trip over my long captions, ha!
Now, let's be clear, I don't hold a formal diversity officer title, but as a woman, a black woman, a black Muslim hijabi woman, a HUMAN BEING, I am extremely passionate about this.
What about you, what topic are you so passionate about that you can talk about forever? Drop it⬇️