Equity Erudition

I had the opportunity to lead some dope work on behalf of Emerald Cities Collaborative, supporting the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program (EJ TCGMP)—a transformative initiative funded by the Inflation Reduction Act to distribute $600 million to under-resourced communities impacted by environmental injustices.

With the support of my good sis Shanim Parker, I convened an interdisciplinary Advisory Council in Washington, D.C., bringing together POWERHOUSE policymakers, grassroots organizers, environmental justice leaders, foundation representatives, and economic development experts. By the end of the week, this group built governance structures, shaped an equitable grantmaking process, and created a framework to ensure that historically underfunded organizations leading environmental justice efforts can access critical resources.

Most of all, we built deep relationships while having fun! (My specialty)

True environmental justice is about repairing the harm done to frontline communities, ensuring that those most affected by climate change and environmental degradation have access to the resources needed to build sustainable futures.

The organizations at the forefront of this work are often underfunded, despite being the first responders to climate disasters and systemic environmental injustices. This kind of investment is not just about equity—it’s about survival.

My favorite projects are high impact and interdisciplinary. Let’s keep building! ✨

May is Foster Care Month. I partenered with Pivotal to curate programming to highlight the stories of people who have navigated the foster care system. I'm excited to finally bring you the first of three conversations we facilitated at Equinix, Inc.

Dunhoja sits down with me to share her journey with family separation, mental health, and motherhood. She shares the role Dazzy has played as a mentor in her life. Her story is powerful. You'll enjoy every minute.

Big thanks to our partners and collaborators on this EPEC Live! event. Special thanks to Dazzy and Dunhoja for sharing their stories.

Pop the link to set a reminder to tune in to the Premiere 6pm PST/9pm EST

Dunhoja’s Story of Foster Care, Mental Health, and Finding Support (EPEC Live! xPivotal Perspective) Get ready for an impactful new episode of EPEC Conversations Live, featuring Dunhoja and her mentor and coach, Dazzy, brought to you in partnership with Pivo...

I'm thrilled to be covering the 9th Annual African Diaspora Investment Symposium (ADIS24) hosted by the African Diaspora Network (ADN) that kicks off today!

This premier event brings together investors, entrepreneurs, and leaders from across the globe to discuss critical issues facing Africa's future.

I'm particularly interested in:

🎯 Emerging Trends: Examining key trends in innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment opportunities in Africa.

🎯 Redefining Investment: Exploring the evolving role of the African Diaspora in shaping Africa's future.

🎯 Impactful Connections: Engaging with leading, impact-driven entrepreneurs and investors who care about the global trajectory of economic development on the continent.



I'm excited to host conversations with attendees who are passionate about driving investment and growth across the African continent. Most importantly, I look forward to learning and taking every note in.

I'll be hosting discussions throughout the event. You can follow my coverage

conversations on Instagram or on LinkedIn for live updates and insights.

Excited to be back in the South Bay Area with my people.

I first learned about Psychological Safety in a case study in Professor Monica Higgins Organizational Leadership class at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

It changed my whole schema about how work should culturally feel when I realized I had spent my entire post-undergraduate professional life without it. 😳 This concept was a game-changer. I have since, been on a mission to help organizations get liberated through understanding the importance of cultivating safe working spaces for people to do their best work. It is foundational in any organization.

I'm joining Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits to bring this education to nonprofits in the Greater South Bay Area.

Register to join us for an insightful afternoon:

This was the beginning of Equity Erudition, when I was still
working from my personal website and email.

So much happens in 2 years.
Part of the reason I love sharing on social media is because sites like FB know to remind me of the journey traveled.

What a ride…and we still goin. ✨
Looking forward to this next chapter in business. I have some good tea I’m sharing with you a little later.

This was the beginning of Equity Erudition, when I was still
working from my personal website and email.

So much happens in 2 years.
Part of the reason I love sharing on social media is because sites like FB know to remind me of the journey traveled.

What a ride…and we still goin. ✨

Y’all know I LOVE a full circle moment.

Which is why on the first day of Women’s History Month I am excited to finally announce I have been appointed to the Board of Directors at the Rising Sun Center for Opportunity ().

This appointment is especially special because this organization became my very first employer when I was 14 years old and barely old enough to get a work permit in California. 😂 At the time, most of the students hired were 16 and older but in print you had to be at least 15 years old. In true Del fashion, I advocated they let me apply anyway regardless of their policy…and I made a case becoming their youngest hire in the company’s history, lol. They took a chance on me and I’m grateful the org did because I not only came back a second year, but my sister was also later employed, I got some incredible mentors, and friends out the deal. Most importantly, it fundamentally shaped my understanding of energy conservation and environmental justice. (The gift that keeps on giving)

Rising Sun is a premier nonprofit organization working at the intersection of economic equity and climate resilience in the California Bay Area and San Joaquin County. Rising Sun’s workforce development programs specialize in preparing youth, women, and individuals in reentry for high-road careers and green pathways that offer family-sustaining wages.

When it comes to , I’m not new to this, I’m true to this.

I look forward to leveraging my experience as an alum, social impact leader, along with my lived experience, to deepen our work in economically divested communities of color that need it most.

Black History, women’s history—365.

Cheers to community, and to legacy. Little Del would be proud of me. 🥂

Practicing antiracism is not rocket science. It simply requires you be intentional as a parent when modeling and explaining race to your children.

There are other really cool benefits too. For example, practicing antiracism helps:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 you become a more self-aware parent.

🌎 You prepare your children for the world empowering them as they grow up in a global society.

💚 you help keep your children safe, by ensuring they have the skills to navigate a racial society empathetically, safely, and effectively.

But don’t just take my word for it.
Register to attend our FREE webinar training.

Link in bio.
EquityErudition.eWebinar.com

Happy Black History Month!

As we enter this month, which also marks the 10-year anniversary of the death of , I am especially mindful of what and how young people are learning about Black people and people of color in this country. I penned an op-ed detailing three benefits that practicing antiracism at home offers families.

As you celebrate be mindful of the following Do's and Don'ts:

✅ Do honor the history, legacy, and miracle of the Black American experience and existence.

❌Do not just limit your conversations to slavery and the Civil Rights Movement when you're talking to young people.

✅Do talk about slavery and Civil Rights with young people,

❌Do not miss an opportunity to talk about how the legacy of slavery impacts/advantages you and your family today.

✅Do take the opportunity to give back to Black communities and patronize Black-owned businesses.

❌Do not limit your awareness to just this month.

I have a FREE webinar for parents interested in gaining tools to effectively and confidently talk to their kids about race. Click the link in bio to register to attend the Antiracist Parenting Foundational Webinar.

Continuing with our Series 1 on why Black & people of color (POC) do not wish to return to the workplace.

Today we are discussing one of the many reasons why POC are hesitant to return back to the office full time:

Code-switching.

Being a code-switcher is a form of survival for many POC while at work.

It is exhausting to say the least.

Many have been working from home in a safe space during this pandemic. To now, possibly returning back to an environment that doesn’t provide that same feeling.

Which has POC asking themselves can they mentally handle being back in the office and all that comes with it?

Have you mastered code-switching in your workplace? How does it make you feel?

Let us know in the comments.

Happy Tuesday Erudites! Last week we kicked off our first series with the stats from Slack survey that states 97% of Black employees do not wish to return to the office.

Through code-switching, racism, microagressions, and not feeling safe at work Black and other employees of color are dreading the idea of leaving their safe spaces (their homes) to return to the office full time.

This week we are continuing our series highlighting reasons why many Black employees and employees of color are choosing to work from home, permanently.

📚 Tuesday 10/26 Code-Switching

📚 Wednesday 10/27 Racism & Microagressions

📚 Thursday 10/28 Psychologically Not Safe at Work