WE ARE LYNCHBURG
Leaders Dedicated to Implementing Change
What is Diversity, Equity & Inclusion?
DIVERSITY includes all the ways in which people differ, encompassing the different characteristics that make one individual or group different from another.
EQUITY is the fair treatment, access, opportunity, an advancement for all people, while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups.
INCLUSION is the act of creating environments in which any individual or group can be and feel welcomed, respected, supported and valued to fully participate.
(Source: www.indepedentsector.org)
Actionable Opportunities to Implement Change
- EVALUATE YOUR OPERATIONS & CREATE A PLAN
Review your policies, procedures and practices to ensure they provide opportunities for all employees, free of systemic barriers.
Evaluate the diversity of your board of directors, with the goal of establishing a board representative of the Lynchburg region.
Revise your mission statement to include guiding principles specific to equity and inclusion.
Engage with those who have embraced leadership roles in local inclusion efforts to share best practices.
Create an internal committee or task force with a focus on inclusion. - ASK BETTER QUESTIONS & USE YOUR VOICE
Create a list of thoughtful questions to identify barriers to success and uncover opportunities to remove them.
Encourage your leadership team to initiate and document difficult/transparent conversations and amplify underrepresented voices.
Share feedback and career goals of underrepresented employees with key decision-makers. - INVEST IN DIVERSITY STRATEGIES AND PROGRAMS
Create permanent committees for inclusion within your business, open to all employees and set specific, trackable goals with a focus on accountability.
Ingrain permanent trainings and policies into your ongoing policy and workplace culture to see long-term change.
Engage your stakeholders by including a diverse range of input in your inclusion strategies.
Invest in educators to lead educational inclusion programming for you and your employees. - EDUCATE YOUR TEAM
Coordinate educational opportunities and resources for employees regarding action items for racial equity.
Report the findings of your policy and diversity reviews to your employees and stakeholders.
Organize group listening sessions or forums to educate, build trust and identity on initiatives for change.
Share research, literature and data analysis on racial disparities with employees, seeking recommendations on how to foster a more inclusive workplace. - CREATE OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD INCLUSION
Offer pathways to participation, providing all employees a clearly defined outline of the advancement and involvement opportunities within your organization.
Create a program to actively promote, mentor, sponsor and support underrepresented members of your teams.
Champion opportunities for employees to served as change agents through personal research and discovery, as well as participation in committees to utilize their voices for change. - TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY
Schedule regular meetings with your inclusion committees to continue moving goals from intent to impact.
Seek continuous feedback from your employees and stakeholders for ongoing accountability and improvement.
Initiate partnerships with local racial equity advocates and organizations to build relationships that further your inclusion efforts and stand in solidarity.
Resources
Articles, Books, & Insights
- Why Greater Diversity is an Economic Imperative
- 5 Things Allies Can Do to Sponsor Coworkers from Underrepresented Groups
- 7 Examples of What Being an Ally at Work Really Looks Like
- How To Build an Actively Anti-Racist Company
- How to Develop a Diversity and Inclusion Initiative
- How to Power The Engine of Business Growth with Diversity and Inclusion
- 3 Things You can Do Now to Take Action as an Ally in the Workplace
- Building an Inclusive Workforce
- Leaders in Diversity and Inclusion: 5 Lessons From Top Global Companies
- Talking About Race
- 7 Anti-Racism Educators Your Community Needs Now
- 97 Things White People Can do for Racial Justice
- My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant (The NYT)
- How to Avoid Corporate Blackwashing
- Black Like Me
- Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High
- Humankind: A Hopeful History
- Race and Social Equity: A Nervous Area of Government
- From Equity Talk to Equity Walk: Expanding Practitioner
- The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America
- 6 Ways to Offer Allyship to Black Entrepreneurs
Additional Resources
- The Anti-Racism Project
- US Chamber of Commerce Equality of Opportunity Initiative
- Resources for White People to Learn and Talk about Race and Racism
- What can I do to support the black community?
- US Chamber of Commerce Equality of Opportunity Agenda
- The Competitive Advantage of Racial Equality
- Jodi Pfarr Consulting
- Jennifer Tardy Consulting
Videos & Educational Opportunities
- Uncomfortable Conversations With A Black Man
- Building an Inclusive Workplace Culture in Times of Crisis: Inclusion Matters
- How Studying Privilege Systems Can Strengthen Compassion – TEDx
- #DoTheWork – Rachel Cargle
- Nova Reid: Anti-Racism & Diversity Matters
- Rachel Ricketts: Spiritual Activism
- Monique Melton: Unity Over Comfort
- The ACB Academy
- Layla F. Saad: Good Ancestor Academy
Lynchburg Region Minority-Owned Business List
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