UNFCU’s Post

As Eid al-Fitr approaches, it offers us a profound opportunity to reflect on the values of diversity, inclusion, and unity that lie at the heart of this auspicious occasion. Regardless of our faith or background, Eid serves as a universal reminder of the importance of coming together in celebration, compassion, and understanding. Here are a few key lessons that Eid teaches us about fostering a more inclusive and harmonious society: Celebrating Diversity: Eid brings together people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and traditions to commemorate the end of Ramadan—a month of fasting, reflection, and spiritual growth for Muslims worldwide. This celebration underscores the beauty and richness of our differences, reminding us to embrace diversity as a source of strength rather than division. Cultivating Empathy: Eid encourages us to extend empathy and compassion towards others, particularly those less fortunate. Through acts of charity, generosity, and community service, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting those in need and fostering a more equitable society. In doing so, we recognize the interconnectedness of humanity and the importance of standing in solidarity with one another. Promoting Inclusion: Eid exemplifies the spirit of inclusion by welcoming people of all backgrounds to join in the festivities. Whether through shared meals, prayers, or cultural traditions, Eid serves as a reminder that inclusivity is not only desirable but essential for building cohesive communities where everyone feels valued and respected. Fostering Unity: Perhaps most importantly, Eid encourages us to transcend boundaries of race, religion, and nationality in pursuit of a common purpose: unity. As we gather with loved ones, neighbors, and strangers alike to exchange greetings and good wishes, we reaffirm our shared humanity and reaffirm our commitment to building a more harmonious world based on mutual respect and understanding. As we celebrate Eid al-Fitr, let us reflect on these timeless lessons and commit ourselves to promoting diversity, inclusion, and unity in our communities and beyond. By embracing the values exemplified by Eid, we can create a more compassionate, equitable, and interconnected world for generations to come. Eid Mubarak to all those celebrating! #EidMubarak #DiversityandInclusion #Unity #Community #Compassion #LinkedInThoughtLeadership

Putting JEDI at the heart of the #BCorpFestivalUK agenda 🙌 Thankyou Cynthia V Davis CBE for this 5 minute speed speech on #JEDI #Inclusion at Day 2 of #LouderThanWords 🙏 Some great reflections and provocations: 1️⃣ The role of fear in slowing down work in JEDI 2️⃣ This is not additional work that you have to do. It’s work that all of us have a part to play in 3️⃣ Give people the space and ability to be themselves and do great work 4️⃣ Don’t be afraid to ask. There are a lot of resources out there 5️⃣ Focus on impact, on where you want to get to. It’s a journey. There’s no magic wand. What are the steps to get to where you need to be? 6️⃣ We need intentional action for a more inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves and thrive 7️⃣ This starts with us. We have to be the change and lead the change. #BCorps must lead by example And the final call to action…..… Make JEDI part of your DNA 👏 Image Description: A photo of Cynthia Davis on stage speaking from a lecturn with a green backdrop with the talk title behind her: Putting Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at the Heart of the Festival #BCorp #BLabUK #SustainabilityFestival #DEI #EDI #EquityDiversityInclusion #EquityDiversityAndInclusion #DiversityAndInclusion #DAndI

As we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, I'm reminded of the unique journeys and experiences that shape our identities. Growing up in a household with high expectations, I learned the value of hard work and determination from my “tiger mum culture." However, I also discovered the importance of staying true to myself and rebelling against societal norms. Recently, someone labeled me as an "underachiever" for daring to express that I rebelled against the expectations set by my upbringing. But being AAPI means more than conforming to stereotypes or living up to others' expectations—it's about embracing our individuality and celebrating our diverse experiences. In the workplace, diversity of thought and experience is crucial for driving innovation and success. By embracing our unique backgrounds and perspectives, we can create a more inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best. So, this AAPI Heritage Month, let's celebrate our heritage by embracing our individuality and encouraging others to do the same. Together, let's create spaces where everyone's voices are heard and respected. #AAPIHeritageMonth #EmbraceIndividuality #CelebrateDiversity 🌺 #RebelWithPurpose🚀 #DEI

🎭 Embracing Diversity: Reflecting on Purim's Lesson in Authenticity at Work 🎭 Today Sedex took the opportunity to celebrate Purim by making Mishloach Manot (Purim gift bags). Purim (which is this Sunday) is a joyous Jewish holiday marked by costumes, revelry, and the retelling of an ancient story, it's an opportune moment to reflect on its relevance to our modern workplaces. Purim commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people from persecution in ancient Persia. One aspect of this tale often overlooked is the necessity for many Jews, like Queen Esther, to conceal their true identity in order to navigate their professional and personal lives safely. In today's diverse workplaces, many individuals still grapple with the decision to reveal or conceal aspects of their identity, including their cultural or religious background (there were times when starting in my career that I was guilty of this). While Purim's context may be historical, its lessons remain deeply resonant. We must foster environments where authenticity is not just encouraged but celebrated. When individuals feel empowered to bring their whole selves to work, they contribute more fully, innovate more boldly, and collaborate more effectively. It's truly inspiring to see the work Sedex does around diversity. Creating a safe space for people from different religions and backgrounds to come together and share their customs and beliefs with a team who are eager to learn. Let's take this Purim as an opportunity to reflect on how we can create inclusive workplaces where everyone feels valued and accepted for who they truly are. Together, let's strive to make every day a celebration of diversity, authenticity, and unity. Chag Purim Sameach! 🎉 #Purim #DiversityandInclusion #AuthenticityAtWork #InclusiveWorkplaces #CelebratingDiversity

#𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒊𝒏 #𝑫𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚 Since arriving at Albukhary International University (AIU), I was filled with excitement and hope for a new chapter in my life. The prospect of meeting people from diverse backgrounds and learning from them was thrilling, and Alhamdulilah, it has been a rewarding experience so far. However, there are some stuff I never anticipated: experiencing racism from people who share my continent. It’s disheartening to hear Africans say I’m Arab and not African because I’m not black, and I am not a part of them while Arabs say I’m African and not Arab because my country is in Africa. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬. 𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝, 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬. 𝐖𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫, 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐮𝐬. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐰𝐞 𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫? 𝐖𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧! 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐝. Racism in any form undermines our shared humanity. It’s essential to confront these prejudices within our communities and foster a culture of understanding, respect, and solidarity. By doing so, we can build stronger, more united societies where everyone, regardless of their background, feels valued and respected. Let’s work together to eradicate all forms of discrimination and create a world where diversity is celebrated and inclusion is the norm. #UnityInDiversity #EndRacismhoweveritis #InclusionMatters #Beyou #Embraceyourealityanddifference #IamnotperfectbutIAMAHUMAN

अवतु प्रीणातु च त्वां भक्तवत्सलः ईश्वरः। होलिकापर्व शुभाशयाः॥ #Holi one festival, million celebrations! In Bharat, the richness of diversity and inclusion is evident in the multitude of celebrations that take place across the nation. Despite the diversity in the forms and rituals of these celebrations, there exists a unifying thread of joy, unity, and harmony. Regardless of religious or cultural differences, people from all walks of life come together to participate in these festivities, fostering a sense of togetherness and camaraderie. Moreover, the simultaneous occurrence of various celebrations on the same day in different parts of the country is a testament to the coexistence of multiple cultures within the nation. In essence, the unity in diversity exemplified by the myriad celebrations in Bharat reflects the country's commitment to embracing differences, promoting inclusivity, and cherishing the shared essence of celebration that transcends boundaries and unites people in the spirit of joy and festivity. #HappyHoli #Diversity #Inclusion

In times of a fractured world, I would like to shine a light on the small beacons of hope that illuminate today, on the International Day Against Racism. Over the past months, I have had the unique opportunity to be part of a multinational, multiethnic, and multireligious community, where I have experienced the transformative power of friendship. From celebrating Hindu Diwali, the Chinese Lunar New Year, and Christmas to joining my Muslim friends for Iftar during Ramadan, each experience has been a testament to the richness of cultural exchange. In these moments, we have not only shared cultural traditions but engaged in debates on values, political perspectives, and leadership – often with differing views, but always with mutual respect. It gives hope to see how bridges can be built through intercultural exchange. Despite — or perhaps because of — its colonial roots, the Rhodes Trust serves as an example of inclusivity and multiculturalism today. I am grateful for the chance to be part of a community of "unlike-minded but like-hearted" individuals. It is inspiring to witness how, amidst our differences, we share common values and create a vibrant community together. May this day remind us that together we are stronger, and every gesture of connection and respect contributes to a more inclusive world. Let's continue to shine light in the darkness of hate and strive for a future where diversity is seen as a source of strength, not division. 💚 #InternationalDayAgainstRacism #Diversity #Unity See the Rhodes Class of 2023:

Check out this bp article of me and my colleagues’ reflections on the month of Ramadan!

Heart full of hope and a suitcase filled with dreams.  That’s me at Logan Airport (Boston) stepping foot in America for the first time. Little did I know back then how many obstacles I’d have to overcome to make those dreams come true. From adapting to a new society to learning new norms and etiquette to building entirely new skills - every challenge helped me grow into my future self. But the hardest challenge was my struggle to fit in. I checked many boxes of diversity - immigrant, female, minority, gay - but felt like I was on the outside of every inner circle. In my desperation to belong, I changed myself to fit into a box defined by others. The more I became like everyone else, the less of me there was to see. When you occupy many intersectionalities, it’s a lot harder to find a community that most radiates home and reflects your values. My transformation began when I stopped trying to fit into someone else’s world and started being myself. Unapologetically. I discovered that my authenticity is my superpower. And when you show up authentically, you find your community - one where you can be fully you. The key was to acculturate rather than to assimilate. That’s what helped me stand up for myself in an authentic way, navigate my career successfully, and achieve my ambitions. As human beings, we are wired to fear anything different from us. We fear the unknown and the unfamiliar. We fear people whose beliefs are different from our own. We fear ideas that challenge our way of thinking. We fear change that requires us to give up what we have known. Yet it’s these very differences that help us transform, grow and innovate. And the differences that separate us are not greater than the values that unite us. It's liberating when you realize that what makes you different is what makes you special. When you own your power, you empower others too. In honor of AAPI Heritage Month, let’s celebrate who we are AND who we are becoming every day. Make authenticity your activism. #AAPI #India #leadership

Gallup has been studying employee engagement for the last 20 years and has found that "companies with engaged workforces have higher earnings per share (EPS), and they seem to have recovered from the 2008 recession at a faster rate." It also found that " businesses with a critical mass of engaged employees outperformed their competition." https://lnkd.in/d_dKs36f I had no idea about this connection when I first began looking for a job, but in most of my interviews I asked about employee resource groups. Little did I know that almost all companies have them, but the real questions are : 1. How active are they? 2. How much funding is allocated to them? At Federated Hermes Limited, it has been extremely special to be a member of the race and ethnicity employee network group. It has helped me build relationships beyond the EOS team and pushed me to think about how I can improve engagement and develop a sense of belonging within my team and organization. This year, as part of South Asian Heritage month, I moderated a panel on South Asian immigrant experiences. Thank you Sara, Mushtaq and Yasmin for bringing the panel to life by sharing your experiences! #EmployeeEngagement #SustainableFinance #ResponsibleInvesting #Sustainability #SustainableInvesting