City of Durham’s Post

Diversity, representation, equity, and inclusion present four distinct yet inextricable concepts. If your goal is to foster a culture of belonging, all aspects need to be addressed. #ThursdayTea👏🏾👏🏾

As a DEIB practitioner for the better part of a decade, it is disheartening to see how our polarized worlds and in particular the politicization of DEIB efforts have lead to further polarization on the part of many workplaces. We see more and more organizations “reconfiguring” their DEIB efforts, which really means retracting and recoiling from the real labor that deep introspective self-awareness work requires of us all. I wonder how differently people would perceive Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging efforts if we began by asking more questions? Beginning from a place of curiosity leads to more thoughtful dialogue.

When thinking Inclusion, we should always remember that each of our experiences are unique to our own. Positive or negative, it is always attached to our specific circumstances and particular experience. Leading with that helps us become more inclusive in our practice. Stay inclusive, everyone. Check out my blog post https://wix.to/eLfYiT2 #newblogpost

At Kent, we're pioneering a new era of inclusion, where kindness, fairness, and belonging are not just words but the foundation of our global strategy. Spearheaded by our visionary VP of Inclusion & Belonging and People Development, Karen Blanc, we're daring to reimagine diversity and inclusion.   🚀 From the inception of our journey in 2021, we've embraced the challenge of building an inclusive culture from the ground up. Without the traditional roadmap, Karen and the team have navigated uncharted territories, focusing on what unites us rather than what sets us apart.   💡 "Inclusion & Belonging: Is This DEI 3.0?" explores our unique approach, highlighting our commitment to creating a workspace where everyone feels they can thrive.   🌍 We believe in action over words, in challenging the status quo, and in the power of a workplace where everyone is empowered to be their authentic selves.   🔗 Dive into Karen's insightful exploration of our journey and join us in shaping a more inclusive world: https://bit.ly/3Trk28p

😶 Have you ever been the younger child excluded from playing with the "cool kids" or left out when the office cake was shared? These seemingly small moments of exclusion leave a lasting impact, teaching us what it feels like to be on the outside looking in. 😬 This same dynamic can play out in our professional lives, primarily as organizations work to implement Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs. 👉 But here's a thought: What if we approached these letters in a different order? What if we now started to flip the script and start with I—Inclusion first in D, E, and I programs? By making inclusion the priority, we can create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard, naturally leading to diversity and equity. Imagine, for instance, the impact of inclusive hiring practices for Neurodiverse talent (more on this soon!) ⌛ Too often, in fact 97% of questions I get in proposals organizations are asking about diversity first, with the hope that inclusion and equity will somehow catch up.  Thoughts?

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is more than just a buzzword or corporate jargon. To me, DEI is about empowerment. Every policy, program, and initiative should have empowerment and changing lives at its core. This means creating more opportunities for underrepresented groups, confronting and dismantling biases, empowering affinity groups, ensuring fair hiring practices, and fostering an inclusive workplace culture where everyone feels valued and heard. By focusing on empowerment, we can drive meaningful change and create a more equitable world for all.

🌟 Diversity is not just a buzzword—it's the vibrant tapestry that makes the world a better place. Embracing diversity isn't just about meeting quotas; it's about fostering environments where every voice is heard and valued. It's about recognizing that our differences are our strengths, not our weaknesses. Let's celebrate diversity in all its forms and create a more inclusive and equitable world together. #DiversityMatters 🌟 Diversity is not a checkbox to mark or a box to tick. It's about understanding that each individual brings a unique perspective and experience to the table. When we embrace diversity, we open ourselves up to new ideas, innovation, and opportunities for growth. Let's strive to create workplaces and communities where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and included. 🌟 The beauty of diversity lies in the richness of our differences. It's about acknowledging that each of us has a story to tell, a perspective to share, and a unique contribution to make. This isn't just about tolerance; it's about celebration. Let's commit to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion where everyone has a seat at the table and a voice that is heard. Together, we can build a brighter and more inclusive future. #DiversityInAction

Webinar | February 15th | Inclusion as an Essential Growth Strategy Featuring W Lawson Company CEO, Marvell Adams Jr. Register at: https://bit.ly/3SVsXhh ******** By 2040, more than half of the growth in the senior population will be people of color. Explore how a strong culture of inclusion can prepare your organization to serve this diverse market. In this webinar, we will explore what inclusion really means, then describe the benefits that creating a strong culture of trust and belonging can have for an organization—not just in serving a broader population, but by strengthening staff recruiting and retention as well. Don't miss this opportunity to gain a better understanding of what an inclusive community culture really looks like and how to achieve it ******** Register now: https://bit.ly/3SVsXhh Hosted by Rob Love, President/CEO of Love & Company

Stop overthinking Inclusion Here’s what we tell our clients. Inclusion as a systematic business strategy to ensure everyone shares the same advantages and benefits: - Everyone can perform - Everyone can belong - Everyone can reach their potential The real trick is to make it stick with people you work with. So choose words that make sense. More importantly. Choose words that are true. [ Check the image for Alt Text. ]

THIS RIGHT HERE..