More Than A Holiday

Every June companies rush to signal their allyship with the LGBTQ+ community by decorating their logos with rainbow colors, and offering up some fancy product or promotion along with a catchy hashtag. But this Pride month is different. For starters, it’s right on the heels of the one year anniversary of George Floyd’s death. A tragedy that reignited a racial justice movement on a scale not seen since the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. More recently, the President and his Administration have officially proclaimed June 2021 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month. And just yesterday Congress passed a bill that was signed into law, declaring “Juneteenth” a Federal holiday.

Factor in recent survey data by Pew Research that found one-third of Asian Americans now live in fear of threats or physical attacks, and the conversation about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), takes on a new sense of urgency. This is especially true in the workplace. Now if terms like DE&I, BIPOC, ally, and cultural humility are new or confusing to you, don’t worry. You are not alone. According to Google, search phrases containing: privilege, diversity and inclusion, and bias grew by 100% since last year. So while talking about discrimination and injustice against marginalized and underrepresented groups can be tough, it’s not impossible. If you know how.

In this issue of the Talent Huddle you’ll find an audio article that debunks the popular rhetoric about racial and gender diversity, and lays out 4 key actions leaders can take who are serious about tapping into the benefits of DE&I. There’s an infographic of 9 questions you can ask a potential employer about diversity during an interview. A video about how to facilitate conversations involving race and inequity at work. And finally, a GPS app that’ll help you find your way no matter what kind of adventure you’re on.

Enjoy, stay safe, and remember to follow me on social media for more great curated content from across the web!

Eli Martinez
The HR Insider

Listen To This

Google “DE&I”, and you’ll find pages of articles all making the case that diverse companies are more successful. Authors Robin J. Ely and David A. Thomas argue that there’s simply not enough empirical evidence to suggest that’s true. Taking an “add diversity and stir approach” while business continues as usual does not increase effectiveness alone. Organizations who are serious about race and diversity have to prioritize creating a culture centered around learning, and completely change the power structure.

Read This

So how do you know if a company is truly walking the walk when it comes to DE&I? As a job seeker wanting to work for an inclusive employer, you have to look past the job descriptions, flashy websites, and flowery statements. Those will only give you a baseline. You want to dig deeper during the job interview. Ask tough questions about the company’s values, data on underrepresented groups, and programs that promote diversity from the top down.

Watch This

Want to have meaningful conversations about DE&I at work, but don’t know where to start? Education Elements’ Marketing Project Manager, Jessica Anderson, shares her three strategies for facilitating conversations about race, racism, inequity, justice, and liberation. Watch until the end for tips on how to get practice engaging in these types of conversations, and how to take action.

Download This

One of my new favorite apps this summer is Gaia GPS. Data and feature rich, Gaia is perfect for any kind of adventure. Whether you’re planning a local hike, or going backcountry skiing, Gaia can help you navigate, on or off the trail. Multi-device syncing and downloadable maps means you can find your way without cell service, and their ‘waypoints’ feature lets you mark points of interest so you can revisit them again. Check out their diversity statement here. Available on iOS and Android.

Quote of the Day

“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.” – Audre Lorde
#QOTD

About the Author

My name is Eli Martinez, Talent Acquisition Partner for Hoag Hospital, lover of donuts, and your HR Insider.

Ready for another #TalentChallenge? Be a better ally to marginalized communities.