How to Prevent Just Checking the Box with Your DEI Strategy When you run — or are a part of — an organization you quickly realize that there are many different facets to your environment…much like a machine. You have gears, bolts, wires plugged in, cogs actively working — all…

Moving from empty DEI statements to action — In 2020 we saw the largest Civil Rights Movement to date. All over the world people protested for racial equality and urged organizations to take a stand. Statements condemning racism were being published daily. Companies vowed to create inclusive work environments and better the world. …

All humans have unconscious bias, therefore all populations, organizations, and groups have bias. The LGBTQIA+ community has dealt with a number of internal-phobias, biases, and rejection of the impact of intersectionality on people of color that are LGBTQ+. Pride in being LGBTQ+ is important; it is radical and shows strength…

President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. This document “freed” the enslaved of their owners and abolished slavery. While this was a necessary and historical step towards equality, hundreds of thousands of Black people did not reap the benefits of the proclamation until years later. “My…

Microaggressions or SAEs revolve around a number of different identities. Race, religion, gender, and sexuality are what I would say are at the top of the SAE trigger list. This list is composed of endless identities and characteristics that people can use as ammunition to fire subtle acts of exclusion…

Mental Illness has only recently become an “acceptable” topic in mainstream society. More people are being diagnosed, and seeking help, than ever before. Celebrities and influencers are speaking out on their own struggles, and recent social media movements such as “#myfavoritemeds” are pushing our society to get rid of the…

A person’s ability status refers to how able-bodied someone is. The term “able-bodied” associates any physical (seen or unseen) disabilities a person may have. …

Cinco de Mayo is a commonly misunderstood holiday. There’s been cultural appropriation of the Mexican culture in an attempt to celebrate the holiday, along with a general lack of knowledge about the national holiday. Let’s unpack what Cinco de Mayo really means, and how you can celebrate it respectfully. Let’s…

Cultural appropriation is the act of adopting elements of an outside, often underrepresented culture, including knowledge, practices, and symbols, without understanding or respecting the original culture and context. Oftentimes, these elements of culture are things that are looked down upon or criticized by mainstream society when embraced by minority groups…