Lisa Riegel, PhD’s Post

🚨 Managing Director Brian Fabes in Crain's Chicago Business on how many companies are staying the course with DEI initiatives and why 🚨 The Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling made companies pay more attention to job descriptions, said Brian Fabes, managing director of the Corporate Coalition, a group dedicated to finding ways the business sector can address economic and racial inequities across Chicago. “I do think all of our members look at wording that might not possibly get them in trouble,” Fabes said. “People are thinking ahead and being careful about how they word things. None of our members are scaling back.” Fabes said companies that believe in the business case for diversity are more likely to continue their programs for minority candidates, understanding that building a staff that mirrors the communities they serve is good for the company. “Companies want neighborhoods to thrive,” Fabes said. “They will do better when the South and West sides of Chicago are doing better. Companies that have understood why there is a business reason to do this kind of work stick to it more.” #communities #neighborhoods #access #equity #opportunity #inclusion #DEI #stickwithit #Chicago #changingbusinesspractices #BusinessUNusual #movetheneedle

In honor of #BlackHistoryMonth, this week’s spotlight is on our amazing grantee, LeadersUp! LeadersUp aims to change the narrative around the racial wealth gap by collaborating with companies and organizations to create equal opportunities for young diverse talent in America, and designs services to tackle systemic barriers faced by young professionals of color. Among their many impactful initiatives, some of their powerful work includes: • Breaking barriers to access opportunity – LeadersUp’s cross-sectoral Bay Area partnership was forged to ignite local employers, and generate transformative career pathways for young men of color and employers. • Accelerating fair chance hiring – The USC Sol Price Center for Social Innovation partnered with LeadersUp to launch the #AcceleratingFairChance Project, addressing unemployment among young people who have been involved in the justice system by identifying employer-led solutions. • Engaging in strategic partnerships – LeadersUp has partnered with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity to establish a coalition of employers committed to hiring system-impacted individuals and demonstrating their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through their recruitment and retention practices. Learn more about LeadersUp and how you can support them today at leadersup.org.

🔍 Did you know that 60% of American workers lack four-year degrees? Per Scholas is leading the charge to help companies tap into IT-savvy diverse talent pools. What are your thoughts on shifting towards skills-based hiring over degree-based job requirements? Discover how Per Scholas is driving diversity and inclusion in employment: https://lnkd.in/e3AuyFY6 #SkillsOverDegrees #InclusiveHiring 🌟

Many Gen Z consumers are set to vote for the first time in this year's presidential election. However, a report from The Wall Street Journal suggests that they are highly disillusioned with leadership due to the tough challenges they face in their future. At Collage Group, we recognize the importance of building resonance with Gen Z, a generation of game changers under pressure. Their decisions, whether it be voting or shopping, are governed by the importance they place on gender, identity, and impact. To learn more about how we can better connect with this influential generation, visit: https://bit.ly/3Pmlcji #GenZ #Elections2020 #Leadership #culturalintelligence #culturalfluency

#DEI backlash? This timely research from The Washington Post and Ipsos shows that it’s not all doom and gloom. “…most Americans approve of companies taking steps to address the historic inequalities in their ranks, according to a poll from The Washington Post and Ipsos. Roughly 6 in 10 Americans said that diversity, equity and inclusion programs are “a good thing” — and support was even higher for specific programs such as internships for underrepresented groups and anti-bias trainings. The level of support differed among racial groups, and one effort was universally unpopular: financial incentives for managers who achieve diversity goals.” “WHAT TO KNOW - When DEI is well-defined, approval rises - Americans feel like DEI benefits minorities most - Efforts to improve representation are popular - Opinion of DEI is split across political lines - Does race affect how people are treated in the U.S.? Depends on who you ask.” <Apologies for the paywall. This one is worth accessing if you are able. >

REVISED I’ve been under weather : Although I agree in essence with MIT President Kormbluth's decision, in that DEI initiatives end up hurting minorities more than they help because they’re not rooted in meritocracy but in the perception of political ideas, I find her approach disingenuous. Her argument tends to be used to keep minorities shuffling with their acquiescent feet and empty heads down. After all, she’s one of the elites. As a conservative free marketeer, I believe that the free market should determine hiring decisions rather than political ideologies. However, it's easy for her to essentially present an argument that continues to justify the hiring of elites because they’re perceived to be more qualified. From my perspective, individuals from underrepresented groups are damned if they do and damned if they don’t, doomed and damned to never get hired due to the hiring gap, which is exacerbated by the existing condescension in woke culture and the transparent exclusion present in conservative elite circles.

Me: Reviews application and schedules HR call with candidate Candidate: accepts HR call invite Candidate: sends email - You hate whites. Just admit it. Me: Ummm I think you sent this to the wrong person. Candidate: No. I meant to send it. Your company supports DEI which means you only want to hire Blacks and I'm not Black which means I don't stand a chance. Me: WHAAAAAAAAAAAT????? Mind you this was for a job IN HR! This is what I'm dealing with in 2024! Wow! Want to learn more about the great ways Springer Nature addresses Diversity, Equity and Inclusion? Click the link below.

My second article has been published in Brainz Magazine! In this article, I spotlight the truth behind the statistics and how we can bridge the perception gap, to strike a balance and move beyond stereotypes. Transcending gender distinctions and cultivating an environment where skills and contributions are valued, leading to greater #inclusivity, #equity, and #sustainability in the business world. Stay tuned for more thought-provoking content! #BrainzMagazine #ThoughtLeadership #Confidence #ElevateTalent #ElevateMe https://lnkd.in/ey8XyQWU

As we celebrate Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, it’s a time to reflect on the importance of diversity and inclusion in all sectors, especially technology. Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers landed in Galveston, Texas, with news that the war had ended and the enslaved were now free—two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. In the spirit of Juneteenth, we are reminded of the power of freedom and equality. As a D&I advocate, I believe that fostering diversity and inclusion in the tech industry is not just a moral imperative but a business one. Diverse teams bring different perspectives, drive innovation, and better represent the communities we serve. Inclusion ensures that every voice is heard and valued, leading to a more dynamic and creative work environment. Throughout my career, I've seen firsthand how diverse teams can tackle complex problems more effectively and create solutions that are more comprehensive and impactful. At Microsoft, I've worked to build inclusive teams where everyone, regardless of their background, can thrive. This includes humbly serving as a mentor, participating inclusive hiring programs like Microsoft LEAP, and hosting monthly cultural inspired presentations and discussions that highlight diversity among coworkers. Let's honor Juneteenth by committing to ongoing efforts in diversity and inclusion, ensuring that our workplaces reflect the rich diversity of our society and that every individual has the opportunity to contribute and succeed. Together, we can create an industry that not only advances technology but also equality and inclusiveness. #Juneteenth #DiversityAndInclusion #TechForAll #Equality #Innovation #Microsoft

It's so very important to support people as they re-enter the workspace! If that's you, check out the SWE list in Dr. Mohan's post below!