Dr. Jonathan Ashong-Lamptey’s Post

ALLYSHIP. ACTION. INCLUSION. ⚡Take the next step in your journey of inclusion. ⚡ Join the Longevity + Inclusion Alliance Fellows Program. ⚡Starts April 18th. ⚡Request a program guide: https://bit.ly/3OVbG6u

It's imperative to acknowledge the foundational elements that shape our collective experiences: land, labor, and body. This acknowledgment isn't just a gesture; it's a profound act of recognition and respect that grounds our work in truth and justice. ➡ Acknowledging Land-Our work begins with the land we stand on. This land holds stories and histories that predate us, shaped by Indigenous peoples who have stewarded it for generations. Acknowledging land means recognizing its original caretakers, understanding the ongoing impacts of colonization, and committing to the restoration and protection of Indigenous rights and sovereignty. ➡ Acknowledging Labor- Every social structure we seek to change has been built on the backs of laborers, many of whom have been enslaved, exploited, and marginalized. This includes the enslaved Africans whose forced labor created immense wealth for others and the countless workers today who continue to toil under unjust conditions. Acknowledging labor means recognizing these contributions and sacrifices, advocating for fair labor practices, and ensuring that the dignity of work is upheld in all our endeavors. ➡ Acknowledging Body- Our bodies carry the imprints of history and the potential for transformation. For many, especially Black and Brown bodies, this means navigating a world that often devalues and dehumanizes us. Acknowledging the body means celebrating its resilience and demanding respect and equity for all forms of existence. It involves addressing issues of health, safety, and well-being, recognizing the intersections of race, gender, and ability, and championing the rights of all individuals to live free from oppression and violence. In recognizing the land, labor, and bodies that form the very fabric of our society, we not only honor the past but also illuminate a path forward. Every one of us holds the power to acknowledge these essential truths in our work. #education #LandLaborBody #leadershipdevelopment

Inclusion encompasses embracing diverse ways of thinking, processing information, and experiencing the world. It's about valuing the richness that comes from different perspectives and approaches, ultimately fostering a sense of belonging and peace for all individuals. Reflecting on this as we close out April is a powerful reminder of the importance of acceptance and understanding in creating inclusive communities.

"It’s up to people who hold positions of #privilege to be active allies to those with less access, and to take responsibility for making changes that will help others be successful. Active #allies utilize their credibility to create a more #inclusive workplace where everyone can #thrive, and find ways to make their privilege work for others." Which #allyship role do you identify with the most? ✅ The Sponsor ✅ The Champion ✅ The Amplifier ✅ The Advocate ✅ The Scholar ✅ The Upstander ✅ The Confidant Every day provides us ample opportunities to become better allies by listening, learning, and taking action. Let's get started. #inclusiveworkplaces #listen #learn #takeaction

I wanted to pick up on the post I wrote recently about checking our privilege. One of the most insightful and knowledgeable people I know in this space has written a book and created an incredibly useful resource. To quote her, Marsha Ramroop FRSA FIEDP, “Inclusion isn’t about other people and their identities, it’s about us and our behaviours. The Book can serve as a tool, not just insight, for you to go ahead and start to action the work of strategic inclusion." This is one way how we can show up and do the work. https://lnkd.in/edz4tCti

Impact Inclusion Community Dialogue: Participating in a community conversation with esteemed DEI experts was an enriching experience. We spoke candidly about the current state of inclusion locally and nationally. The audience asked compelling questions that revolved around three areas: o                   What’s Working o                   The Current Climate o                   Personal Application The panelists shared impactful personal stories, insights from their efforts to implement transformative strategies, and a compelling call to action. It was very clear that in the face of concerted challenges to DEI efforts, silence is not a wise option. There's a critical need for a well-funded, people-centric Pro DEI Communication strategy coupled with strategies that foster strong personal connections. Without understanding each other's stories, stereotypes and fears will significantly hinder any meaningful efforts toward change. Panelist: Liza Smitherman Charla Weiss, Ph.D. Ivan C. Douglas Jr. Kenneth L. Walker Eric M. Ellis Moderators: Chuck Mingo Johnmark Oudersluys

Happy Wednesday! I hope you have enjoyed your week. I love the fact that inclusion provides an opportunity to develop more relationships. Relators are good at showing us what this looks like. Someone with the Relator strength naturally demonstrates what it means to relate to one another. What’s the value of this strength? I’ll tell you. --- They demonstrate what it LOOKS LIKE to form better relationships. They provide an example. --- They have insight many may not have because of their deep connectivity. --- They invest in relationships that give them a competitive advantage in navigating complexity. Having a Relator on your team is extremely valuable because they can be the heart of an organization. The heart gives us the courage to keep going on our inclusion journey. I love witnessing a Relator work their magic. Enjoy the rest of your week! #joyofinclusion #inclusionexpansion #inclusionontheslopes #SWORDInclusionSystem #PhaseThreeOpportunityPlanning

Your Inclusion journey. Your Rules. But.. …if you’re not making progress - Reconsider your rules - Reconsider what you believe - Reconsider who you let influence you This unremarkable advice will change your path Better still It will change your destination. I know this because I’ve done it. I help leaders like you to do it. If you want to get on the right path for YOU. Send me a message and we can get you started. [ Check the image for Alt Text. ]

Why does authentic inclusion remain so elusive after so many of us have been working so long to achieve it? One answer to this question is that inclusion can't be achieved without meaningfully addressing difference, inequality, and power relations. Audre Lorde famously declared: "It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences." This is one of my all-time favorite quotes, but Lorde's words are often misunderstood and misappropriated. With Pride month coming up in June, let's remember that the transformative work of authentic inclusion and belonging demands much more than recognizing and accepting people who are different from us. "Celebrating" difference requires transforming those systems that exclude marginalized and multiply marginalized people in the first place. *********** 👋🏽 I'm a DEIB consultant, speaker, and educator passionate about building communities where everyone can thrive. 🗣 I talk about antiracism, antisemitism, LGBTQIA2S+ inclusion, and navigating difficult dialogues. 💭 If you found this post insightful, please share to expand the conversation. 🔔 Follow me and tap the bell on my profile to subscribe to my content.

This is exactly right. The differences between us aren't the problem; the problem is the way people interpret and respond to those differences. To build a real sense of belonging, we need to recognize that differences between individuals and groups are assets. Through engagement with differences, we are offered an opportunity to uncover different perspectives, learn new ways of approaching a task, and interact with people whose experiences are different from our own. One thing that I find helpful is checking the language I use to ensure I don't get lazy and say things like "the challenge of diversity" or "diversity drives prejudice," etc. It's our responses to differences and diversity that drive prejudice and polarization. That's what needs to change, not the differences between us.