Driven By Us’ Post

Diversity within the Black community is often overlooked. 🎨 Recognizing and celebrating these differences is key to genuine inclusion. Companies must understand and value the unique perspectives each individual brings. #BlackDiversity #InclusiveWorkplace #CelebratingDifferences

Diversity within the Black community is often overlooked. 🎨 Recognizing and celebrating these differences is key to genuine inclusion. Companies must understand and value the unique perspectives each individual brings. #BlackDiversity #InclusiveWorkplace #CelebratingDifferences

As we celebrate the progress made with DE&I during Black History Month, elevate your board's potential by adopting these four strategic steps to foster diversity and inclusion. Read the online article from EY by Kris Pederson: https://ow.ly/ZY1B50QyjJz

As we continue to honor Global Diversity Awareness Month this October, we are proud to highlight the firm’s ongoing message of diversity and inclusion. Maurice Osei, Associate Convener of the Black Affinity Group, shares what he looks forward to each year, what inspired him to become a Black attorney, and how we can all support these efforts. He states, "I think sometimes people may believe that being an active participant or an ally is more difficult than it is, but sometimes the first step is just sitting there and listening and just gaining some new perspective. I think that's important no matter what you are doing." Watch Gunderson's full inaugural message that features partners, professional staff and associate conveners who emphasize the critical role of representation and creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels valued, heard and supported, regardless of their race, gender, cultural backgrounds and past experiences. https://bit.ly/3Y5RbZT #GlobalDiversityAwarenessMonth #Diversity #GundersonDettmer

🗓️ Why is there a Black Inclusion Week? Black Inclusion Week was launched by Black Leaders, a community of Black professionals and allies who want to make positive and sustainable change. Black Leaders CEO and Founder Paul Sesay said Black Inclusion Week will not only celebrate Black people, but also be a reminder of the importance of “embedding a fair and just society for all.” He also hopes the week will address the inequalities and systemic barriers for Black people across all aspects of society. Action needs to be taken because: 🔴 Black people are the most likely to have witnessed a racist incident at work, according to the Racism at Work in the UK (2021) report. 🔴 41% of Black and minority workers in the UK are suffering racism on the job. 🔴 Two thirds of Black employees experienced racism in the workplace in 2021. To protect the wellbeing of our Black colleagues and retain Black talent, it is important that organisations directly address anti-black racism and create anti-racist work cultures. 💡 To learn more about how you can take action during Black Inclusion Week, visit our Awareness page: https://lnkd.in/eni7Rj2R 🏷️ #BlackInclusionWeek #Inclusion #Diversity #AntiRacism

Why it’s crucial to specify “anti-Black” rather than just using the term “racism.”: It’s important to identify and challenge all forms of racial prejudice and discrimination. However, using “racism” as a catch-all term can sometimes obscure the specific forms of oppression that different racial groups face. When addressing any injustice, it's vital to be clear about who is harmed and how. So when addressing anti-Black prejudice, it’s essential to center the unique experiences of Black people by explicitly calling it “anti-Black racism.” While solidarity among all People of Colour is important, it’s equally important to recognise that anti-Black racism operates in specific ways that differ from the experiences of other racialised groups. If we fail to call out anti-Blackness when it's specifically at play, we risk overlooking the specific marginalisation of Black people. Naming anti-Black racism directly helps us pinpoint specific solutions and facilitates targeted efforts to address the unique issues Black people face. This approach should ideally shift us toward more concrete, tailored, and therefore impactful, pro-Black actions. Naming anti-Blackness directly also challenges the reluctance there sometimes can be to even use the word “Black.” Such hesitation can stem from discomfort, fear of being seen as divisive, or a desire to maintain a facade of colourblindness. But while race is indeed a social construct, refusing to name Black people directly—especially when discussing the injustices they face—only perpetuates anti-Black oppression. By specifically naming anti-Blackness, we confront that reluctance head-on. We make it clear that we’re not afraid to address the reality of anti-Black racism and that we’re committed to centering the experiences and needs of Black people in the fight for racial justice whenever it’s needed. — This is post 5/21 of my “BLACKTEMBER” series - I’m sharing pro-Black inclusion content every weekday (Mon-Fri) in the lead-up to UK Black History Month. #linkedinlearning #inclusion #antiracism

It's March 1. You may be thinking I'm late in posting for #BlackHistoryMonth, but I would challenge that. Should the conversation surrounding the challenges and celebration of our Black community end at midnight on February 29 (or 28 on non leap years)? All too often companies and brands jump on the opportunity to strategically market their allyship and then disappear until February 1 of the following year. I choose not to use voice throughout my #BlackHistoryMonth content throughout the month for two reasons: 1) When it comes to this subject, it's better for me as an Italian, caucasian man to listen rather than speak and 2) Elevating the voices of Black professionals and EID experts bettering the infrastructure industry needs to take precedence. I hope you found the content I reshared this month as insightful as I did. There's no secret, that the most successful and efficient teams have the most diverse backgrounds. Our industry cannot afford to not utilize the talents of all experts in our field. #EquityandInclusion #Equity #Inclusion #Diversity #Equality #SocialJustice #BHM #diversity #culture #allyship #inclusion

Inclusion is the vital counterpart to diversity, ensuring that individuals from various backgrounds, groups, and ethnicities are not only recognized but also valued, empowered, and given access to resources and opportunities for advancement. Cultural inclusivity and tolerance represent significant aspects of our commitment to diversity and resonate deeply with practical approaches to fostering diversity. As we commemorate Black History Month, it's crucial to recognize that at its core, it's about embracing diversity. Without actively practicing inclusion and creating an environment where it can flourish, our efforts may amount to mere castles in the air. #DiversityAndInclusion #CulturalInclusivity #ToleranceMatters #BlackHistoryMonth #EmbraceDiversity #Culture #EqualityForAll #BuildingInclusion #CelebrateDiversity #InclusionIsKey #UnityInDiversity

Reflecting on #BlackHistoryMonth, I'm compelled to acknowledge the profound changes witnessed over my nearly two-decade career in the mortgage industry. For the majority of that time, black female leadership was a rarity. I vividly recall having only one other black female boss, who, while a sound leader, operated within a system that often pitted us against each other in a competitive climb. It's a difficult truth to admit, but it's essential to confront these realities. Yet, as I find myself in a new environment today, I'm witnessing a remarkable shift. Black women are not just present; they're thriving. Each one exudes a unique authenticity that is both humbling and beautiful to witness. Daily, I'm inspired by the phenomenal black women around me who bring their whole selves to the table. These leaders hail from diverse backgrounds but share a common thread of resilience and dedication. They've navigated obstacles, shattered stereotypes, and earned the respect and recognition they rightfully deserve. As we celebrate the strides made by black women in corporate America, it's crucial to recognize the ongoing journey toward equality, diversity, and inclusion. May future generations remain appreciative of the tireless work being done to ensure that all voices are heard, cultures are celebrated, and individuals are empowered to shine in their respective careers. #DiversityandInclusion #BlackExcellence #Leadership #Equality #Empowerment

Why I play an active role in Black inclusion in my company:   As part of Roland Berger’s Diversity Week’s activities, I had the pleasure to share a recap of Black@RolandBerger’s work over the past year with a global audience of colleagues. For those who don’t know: Black@RolandBerger is our global community for all African colleagues and colleagues of African heritage.     I’m usually all business, so why squeeze this talk between 2 client meetings? This is unlike me, or is it?    It is the result of some thought and life experience:   As an African, hailing from a kingdom with a very long rich multidimensional history, I used to never engage with what I consider a narrow and diminutive view of the Black narrative.  Then as an expat with increasing leadership responsibilities, I engaged in some frank and at times uncomfortable discussions on diversity and inclusion.    I am in a fortunate position being well regarded in my industry and respected by my colleagues and clients. However, not everyone shares this position. You can’t choose when to reveal that you are Black; your Blackness is visible to everyone, no matter their personal views.    I remain a firm advocate of retaining agency, recognising my intersectionality, and not bearing undue burden of “representation” at the expense of my individuality. But as the years pass and I mentor more people, and advise more clients, I find it increasingly important to acknowledge the part that people like me can play in framing and encouraging Black inclusion.    I really appreciate how we at Roland Berger continue to amplify Black voices and create space for meaningful conversations. And I appreciate the community we create with Black@RolandBerger – a big shoutout to Christopher Hoyes, Didier Tshidimba, Benjamin Y. Lowe and many more.  #blackvoices #blackexcellence #representationmatters #African