As a business owner or manager, you may be wondering what it looks like to prioritize diversity in your workplace. We are taking time to learn and educate ourselves in this season. We’ve heard many business leaders express that they want their values to be reflected in their operations. Here are some practical steps to incorporating racial inclusivity in your business or department.
Form a Taskforce
Appoint a group of people who are committed to ensuring that minority employees are hired, supported and respected in your workplace. This committee will promote inclusivity and address barriers to success and safety for all employees.
Provide Additional Training
Include expectations and training on anti-racism and bias in all new employee orientations and handbooks. Additionally, invite experts on racial inclusivity to speak at workshops and gatherings in your office. When possible, schedule events specifically on these topics to create an environment where conversation and learning are encouraged.
Support Justice Oriented Organizations as a Company
There are many organizations working hard toward these purposes. They need support to continue this work toward equality and justice for all people. You can look into organizations like the Equal Justice Initiative (https://eji.org/) when taking this step.
Make your Business Available to All
Think about the barriers to access that minorities may have to your services. Consider what options you have for extending accessibility to all populations. Are diverse races and populations reflected in your clients or customers? What could you do to make that possible?
Dedicate Yourself to Listening and Learning
Whether as an individual, leader or collective business- dedicate yourselves toward becoming listeners and learners. This is the first step to individual and collective growth. If there are people in your office that you can listen and learn from, be intentional to do so. Below are some additional resources you can explore for first steps:
Just Mercy – Movie available for free on Netflix in the month of June.
The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson – Book.
Truth’s Table- Podcast
Russell Moore’s “King and Kingdom: Racial Justice and the Uneasy Conscience of American Christianity”- Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1gsubynkwc)
This will be a long work. If inclusivity and equality are goals for your company, set up systems that will allow attention and resources to be allocated toward these efforts for an extended period of time. There is a lot of work to be done in the realm of justice. Let’s get started together.
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