Welcome to day 16

Topic: Equity Culture, Edition 1

If you feel ready, challenge yourself to start a conversation about race at work, home or with friends. Utilize the tools from today’s challenge menu as guidance. Don’t forget that this journey is at your own pace. I If you are not ready to take on today’s conversation challenge, feel free to explore three items from the challenge menu instead.

Reminder, no matter who you are or where you are on the journey, you will not be perfect. Try to digest the information slowly and go at your own pace. Allow time for reflection and avoid feeling pressured to tackle everything.

Building Workplace Culture Around Equity

The quick facts below, along with today’s challenge menu, will help you look through the lens of racial equity at the workplace.

Did You Know?

Native American women are typically paid just 57 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men  (National Partnership for Women and Families, 2020)

Compounding effects of multiple minoritized identities contribute to transgender women earning far less than white, non-Hispanic men. Transgender women earn even less than their transgender male counterparts (Center for American Progress, 2020)

Despite making up only 13% of the total U.S. workforce, racial discrimination against Black workers accounts for 26% of all claims filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and its partner agencies (Vox, 2019)

Challenge Menu

Awake to Woke to Work: Building a Race Equity Culture

Equity in the Center outlines ways organizations can dismantle structural racism and inequities both inside and outside their organizations.

Read the executive summary on pages 5-6 of the PDF
Read the explanation of dominant culture in the context of building a race equity culture, found in the box on top of page 13 of the PDF
Read the “Building a Race Equity Culture in the Social Sector” 2-pager

Business Case for Racial Equity

This W.K. Kellogg Foundation report projects a tremendous boost to the country’s workforce and consumer spending when organizations take the necessary steps to advance racial equity.

10 Ways to Start a Conversation About Race

One of the best ways to continue to build empathy and learn about race is to start a conversation. Read Race Forward’s guide 10 Ways to Start a Conversation About Race to learn more about how to start a conversation with friends, at school, at work, and more.

Implicit Bias vs. Explicit Bias: What’s the Difference?

Dr. Cheryl Ingram of Diverse City, LLC provides brief, friendly, instructive definitions in the context of the workplace DEI. This video describes the difference between implicit vs. explicit bias. (3 minutes)

For Reflection

Enjoy this #InclusionStartsWithI video about the importance of a positive, inclusive work environment. The video demonstrates that bias can appear in both expected and unexpected ways—and that each of us has the power to make a difference. (3 minutes)

As you watch, consider:

Is there someone you need to know better so you can see them as more than a stereotype?

How might you forge a friendship with them that is authentic, respectful, and inclusive?

"Diversity is being invited to the dance. Inclusion is being asked to dance. Equity is allowing you to choose the music."

– Cynthia Olmedo

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