Category Archives: Inclusion

Diversity and Inclusion

Authors R-Z, PSK, Race & Ethnicity, Social Issues

Letting Go of Perfectionism: an Act of Antiracism – by Janelle Villiers

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I’ve attended the Undoing Racism Workshop offered by The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond, twice. I’ve gone on to facilitate several DEI workshops and I am also  the co-creator of an Intra-Professional Antiracism Dialogue and Discourse Series (IPADDS). While preparing for and facilitating all of these workshops and IPADDS events I was always reminded of a foundational tenant of the Undoing Racism Workshop and that is “Racism de-humanizes us all.” It doesn’t matter what race, Black, White and everything in between, we are all de-humanized by racism.

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Advisors, Authors A-H, Race & Ethnicity

Near Medgar Evers’ Chair: Mound Bayou (Part 1) – by Terry Howard

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pastedGraphic.pngIn unfairness to them both, while Hermon Johnson, Jr. Museum director, and Darryl Johnson, Sr. CEO, Mound Bayou Movement, provided a captivating history of Mound Bayou, Mississippi, I couldn’t shake an image nearby. I mean, never in my life could I imagine sitting less than ten feet from the wooden desk and tattered leather chair where once sat the late civil rights activist Medgar Evers cranking out letters on a black typewriter. I walked over to the desk, inhaled, and  fought back a desire to touch either it or the chair.

So, what brought me to this indelible moment in my life, one that evoked such an incompatible mix of emotions, among them shock, anger, pride and above all…. inspiration?

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Authors I-Q, Teams & Leaders

The Profit Potential of Bilingualism – by Andres Moreno

How Language Skills Drive Growth

In today’s global market, businesses that fail to invest in bilingualism are leaving money on the table. Language gaps cost opportunities—and profits. A study by the An American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) revealed that nine out of 10 U.S. employers rely on employees with language skills beyond English. Yet, many face a critical gap between the skills they need and what their employees can offer.

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Advisors, Religious Diversity

Perspective on the Jewish New Year 2024 – by Marc Brenman

Rosh Hashonah means that it’s  a new year, but may not feel like one, with Covid returning and Trump threatening to come back. But he’s facing more days in court. The book of Proverbs says “To do righteousness and justice is preferred by God above sacrifice” (Proverbs 21:3). The psalmist exhorts: “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute” (Psalms 82:3).

October 2, 2024, is the beginning of the 10 Jewish High Holy days beginning with Rosh Hashonah. It means “the head of the year.” Some say it’s is the birthday of the universe, the day God created Eve and Adam. 

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Authors A-H, Religious Diversity

 Judaism’s Meltdown or The End Result of the American Melting Pot – by Miriam Hoffman

Since Abraham, forefather of Judaism smashed all the idols in his father’s  lucrative idol showcase business which consisted of wooden deities, fertility gods, big and small idols promising provisions, as well as idols that assured health and wealth, this was the precise time when Abraham decided that there is no man-made visible god, but one who dwells up above, in the Celestial Heavens, the God that promised to protect and demanded of his Chosen People loyalty, humanity, wisdom and above all knowledge of their past history.

As time was overlapping one another, his people obeyed and disobeyed, were loyal and betrayed Him, stuck by Him through thick and thin not to mention those who abandoned him altogether.

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Authors I-Q, Teams & Leaders

Impact of AI on Diversity in Financial Accounting – by Rose Joneson

As ignoring technology is no longer an option in the workplace, various fields and businesses are leveraging digital transformation for diversity, innovation, and empowerment.

A previous post illustrates how the online registration software company Regpack was able to build a diverse and inclusive workplace with the help of technology. The company used digital tools to promote creativity and collaboration, while also embracing remote work opportunities to accommodate unique needs, especially among tech professionals of color.

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Authors R-Z, Race & Ethnicity, The Arts

Waymakers: Celebrating and Protecting Diversity in Appalachia – by Joe Tolbert Jr.

The Waymakers Collective is dedicated to supporting community arts and organizations in the heart of Appalachia that are historically underfunded: those led by BIPOC (Black, indigenous, and people of color), youth, LGBTQIA+, and non-English speakers/immigrants. Earlier this month, we held our Annual Gathering to celebrate our community of Appalachian artists, culture workers, organizers, activists, doers, and creatives who are committed to building a just and equitable Appalachian future.

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Advisors, Authors A-H, Generational

Diversity and Speech No. 46: The Art of Turning 90 – by Carlos Cortés 

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I never really thought much about turning 90.  That is, until April 6, 2023, the day I turned 89.  That’s when my daughter, Alana, asked me the life-altering question:  “Dad, what are you going to do special for your 90th birthday?”

“As little as possible,” I responded in my best bah, humbug voice.  “Maybe Laurel and I will go to Del Taco.”  Anything to avoid the deluge of obligatory phone calls and discordant group renditions of “Happy Birthday.” 

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Authors I-Q, LGBTQ

Affluent LGBTQ+ Community – with Toni Peterson

Prioritize Living Fully

Overview of Research: In January 2024, Merrill Wealth Management published three studies examining the financial challenges, concerns and successes of the affluent Black/African American, LGBTQ+ and Hispanic-Latino communities in the United States. “Diverse Viewpoints: Trends Reports” builds on past research and uncovers how these groups navigated a tumultuous economic environment created by the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and rising inflation.

Bank of America partnered with Ipsos who gathered these insights using qualitative and quantitative techniques, including a 2023 survey of 1,000 members each from the affluent Black/African American, Hispanic-Latino and LGBTQ+ communities.   

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G 100 Women Leaders, Groundbreakers storytelling, Of Women

Women GroundBreakers & STEM: Lulu Copeland

When Deborah asked me to be part of the Women GroundBreakers Storytelling panel, Serving our Diverse Communities, I knew I had to say yes. She had said yes many times when I reached out. This is my turn. So, here’s my story… (Deborah coached us on telling our story, starting with something easy to share and for others to absorb, consider something that might shock people…then try to blend into something somewhere between the two.)