Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Resources
THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION AT WORK
Companies can be powerful places for social change. As CDA members strive to create an environment where everyone has equal rights, equal pay, equal access to education, and equal opportunities to succeed the resources below may be helpful on that journey. These resources offer a wide variety of perspectives and guidance on how to strive toward these objectives, whether it be at home, in your community, at your own company, in the industry or in all of the these places.
WHAT IS DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION?
As you begin to have brave and sometimes difficult conversations about equality, language matters. According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of diversity is the “condition of having or being composed of differing elements: the inclusion of different types of people (such as people of different races or cultures) in a group or organization.”
When thinking of diversity in the workplace, this is construed as the idea that your company reflects the community you serve. Diversity has many facets including race, ethnicity, gender or gender identity, age, religious affiliation, and sexual orientation. Keep in mind diversity isn’t always something that can be measured or seen. Diversity also includes people with differing educational backgrounds, cultural backgrounds, experiences, physical abilities and personality types, for instance.
The definition of inclusion per Merriam-Webster is the “act or practice of including and accommodating people who have historically been excluded (as because of their race, gender, sexuality, or ability).” Inclusion in the workplace is when every single person in the company is valued, heard, respected, empowered, and feels a true sense of belonging. It goes beyond tolerance to recognizing and elevating every person.
LEADER RESOURCES:
Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace: A Complete Guide
White Paper: Effective Diversity & Inclusion
How to Create a Diversity Scorecard
There Is No Justice That Neglects Disability
Achieving diversity, equity, and inclusion means putting disability justice in every policy discussion
Does Your Company Offer Hearing Benefits?
Podcast: How can leaders leverage a balance of learning and teaching to catalyze organizational change?
10 Tips for Hiring—and Retaining—Gen Z Employees
4 Ways to Improve Your Company’s Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Strategy
How to Create a Remarkable Culture
Welcoming Back Retired Employees
How to Combat Unconscious Bias as a Leader in Your Organization
Are you an inclusive leader? Take this quiz to find out.
Talking About Race at Work: 3 Ways to Get Started
Three ways to start the necessary and important work of talking about race at work:
1. State your intention.
2. Prepare before you talk.
3. Acknowledge you don't have all the answers
Leaders: 5 Places Racism Hides at Work
Calls to attention 5 places racism hides at work: succession plans, feedback, training and development, happy hour and promotions.
Tips for Discussing Racial Injustice in the Workplace
Reviews five techniques to engaging in honest, open discussion.
The Difference Between Being Not Racist and Antiracist
There is no such thing as being "not racist," says author and historian Ibram X. Kendi. In this vital conversation, he defines the transformative concept of antiracism to help us more clearly recognize, take responsibility for and reject prejudices in our public policies, workplaces and personal beliefs. Learn how you can actively use this awareness to uproot injustice and inequality in the world -- and replace it with love.
Video: Systematic Racism
Systemic racism affects every area of life in the US. From incarceration rates to predatory loans, and trying to solve these problems requires changes in major parts of our system. Here's a closer look at what systemic racism is, and how we can solve it.
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man Featuring Emmanuel Acho
Acho said he created this as an educational tool for white people who are looking to help but might not necessarily understand how or where to start post the death of George Floyd.
Video: What Leaders Must Do Today to Address Systemic Racism
How do we start real conversations about race in our organization?
Video: Racism Has a Cost for Everyone
Racism makes our economy worse -- and not just in ways that harm people of color, says public policy expert Heather C. McGhee. From her research and travels across the US, McGhee shares startling insights into how racism fuels bad policymaking and drains our economic potential -- and offers a crucial rethink on what we can do to create a more prosperous nation for all. "Our fates are linked," she says. "It costs us so much to remain divided."
How the Term ‘Work-Life Balance’ Is Changing for the Youngest Group of Workers
5 Ways to Combat Ageism in the Workplace
Age-Inclusive Resources for Small Businesses from AARP
Digital Tool to Help Employers Build Age-Diverse Workforce from AARP
6 Ways to Add Age in Your Diversity and Inclusion Guide
How to Avoid Ageism
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Diversity Conversation Toolkit: Simple Ways to Start a Conversation About Diversity
Taking a Page from The Hershey Co.’s DEI Commitment
Advancing the Modern-Day Work Culture
Convenience Store News explores how women and their allies can foster workplace equity for all
Blog: I Spoke with the Three Primary Generations in the Workplace About Working While Black: Here’s What They Said
Diversity is What You See, Inclusion is What You Do
Inclusion as the Competitive Advantage: The Case for Women in Supply Chain
Pursuing a Well-Being Approach - a Framework for Thinking about Well-Being to Promote Racial Equity
Combating Disability Discrimination in the Workplace
How to Combat Unconscious Bias as an Individual
African American History: From Emancipation to the Present
The purpose of this course is to examine the African American experience in the United States from 1863 to the present.
Advocating for Age in an Age of Uncertainty
The Diversity and Inclusion Revolution: Eight Powerful Truths
Video: Inclusion Starts with I
Video: White Fragility
University of Washington professor Dr. Robin DiAngelo reads from her book "White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism," explains the phenomenon, and discusses how white people can develop their capacity to engage more constructively across race.