Embracing Humanity: A Call to Action

I have been reflecting on the messages I've received about the state of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, alongside fellow thought leaders and colleagues. The outpouring of well wishes, concerns, and diverse perspectives reaffirms my belief in the resilience of humanity, especially in challenging times.

As an advocate, executive, and strategist for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Culture, and Social Impact, I want to help simplify the ongoing national conversation and help those who are truly serious about the topic digest it easier. This article serves as a steppingstone, addressing a fraction of the intricate landscape of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and my call is for everyone to actively and thoughtfully participate in this ongoing dialogue.

Let’s start with a few simple definitions.  

Diversity: The variety of unique perspectives, intellect, thought, cultural backgrounds, and life experiences that individuals bring to a group.

Equity: The commitment to address disparities, remove systemic barriers, and provide fair treatment, access, and opportunities for all.

Inclusion: The intentional practice of creating an environment where every voice is heard, respected, empowered, and integrated into decision-making

When people actively oppose Diversity, Equity & Inclusion or passively watch its decline; I want them to ask, honestly:

• “Whose perspectives, intellect, thoughts, cultural backgrounds, and life experiences am I opposing?”

• “Which individuals am I preventing from fair access to opportunities, placing barriers in their path to success, and ignoring the disparities that negatively impact their lives?”

• “Whose voices am I silencing, disrespecting, disempowering, and excluding from decision making?”

Any faces come to mind? Name them. Write them down. Review it often.

As of 2023, roughly 67 million people identified as Hispanic, 43.5million as Black, 20.1 million as Asian or Pacific Islander, and 10 million as Other. (USAfacts, 2024)

These are some of the people MOST impacted by Diversity, Equity & Inclusion efforts, and they make up 42% of the U.S. population. And because they have complex intersectionality of identities, they are included in the more than 70 million adults reported to having a disability, 25 million who identify as LGBTQ, and 16.2 million who identify as Veterans.

The data is simple, the message is simple, if we choose to be honest and face the uncomfortable truth. The attack on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is an attack on the quality of life for 42% of Americans, hundreds of millions of hardworking, taxpaying, Americans.

Call to Action: Embrace humanity and be an active change agent. Be part of the solution, as a leader of self or leader of others. Amplify the voices and efforts of those doing the work to preserve the dignity, integrity and humanity we still have left. Educate yourself and those around you with credible information from subject matter experts and thought leaders. Be courageous enough to face and speak the truth about what all this truly means.

Lastly and FYI:  76.1% of all Chief Diversity Officers are White. 7.8% are Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% are Asian, and 3.8% are Black. (Zippia, 2022)