Hello

Hi Everyone!!! Eduardo Placer here live in Brooklyn and exiled in Miami Beach

You need only be you!!!!

Good morning from Los Angeles, CA! I’m Alex Krantzler, D&I Educator! Would love to connect with y’all. https://www.linkedin.com/in/akrantzler

Is anyone else getting a lot of feedback?

Good morning! Anita Dunbar here in OKC!

Hello all, Parool Mehta (she/her) coming to you from Brampton, Ontario, Canada

Yes, lots of feedback

Good morning from Los Angeles - Hope you are all doing well. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethmsanchez/

Hello All - Shavondalyn Givens D&I at NASA

Hi Everyone! Catherine here from Atlanta! https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-the-talentfinder/

Can we mute if you are not speaking?

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eduardoplacer/

Perfect

hello from Canada! Erica here, working in the Toronto area. D&I practitioner for the last 10 years, within aviation

Hi all! I’m Alyssa. I work as a Strategic Comms Manager and am assisting in my company’s D&I efforts as well. Located in Los Angeles and excited to connect! https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssakstein/

Aloha everyone! Quinn Finnigan from the greater Seattle area. Excited to be here!

Good Morning from southern Cali! I'm Deb Williams a DEI Practitioner,

Jake Jacobs, Ohio https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertjakejacobs/

hello everyone! Caitlin O’Donnell (she/her) - working in higher education at the moment, looking to transition into a more focused HR role. Would love to connect with folks! https://www.linkedin.com/in/codonnellmba/

Hi everyone! I’m Jennifer - an Employee Experience manager from the Bronx, NY. Nice to meet everyone and happy to connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenni-ruiz-3b1aa916a/

Karla Suckling - Minneapolis, MN with The Nature Conservancy. Looking forward to this afternoon Juneteenth celebration!

Valerie Spain - Waltham MA - Coach/consultant for equity, special focus on creating caucus spaces for white people https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeriespain/

Good morning. Dalia Zatlin (She/her). would love to connect http://linkedin.com/in/dalia-zatlin-she-her-hers-433659. I’m in transition and would love an entry level DEI position to learn from an experienced DEI leader. Hope everyone is finding the space to heal and take care of themselves in this time.

Hi All!! Chuck Privitera here from Westminster Consulting. We focus on mitigating inequality in utilization of financial services/products https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-chuck-privitera/

Chris Pope, DEIB Consultant, Philadelphia www.linkedin.com/in/cpopeconsult

Hello from San Francisco! I’m the founder of a nonprofit, Techtonica, that helps local women and non-binary adults with low incomes, and 91% people of color, overcome barriers into the tech industry: http://linkedin.com/in/michelleglauser

Hey y’all! I’m in the Greater Cleveland Ohio area. My website is https://www.discussionsmatter.com | https://linkedin.com/in/drsherrill/. Let’s connect!

hello everyone, Nathan Hughes (he/him), Detroit MI, chief people officer at detroit labs, a technology agency

Sharon from Albany, NY - Labor Education & Leadership Development

Ed Demeritt, HR Development Specialist from Florence, KY; https://www.linkedin.com/in/edemeritt/

Greetings! Here’s to another great call. Happy to connect https://www.linkedin.com/in/klharris/ Looking for that next great opportunity…a chance to transition fully into this amazing space.

John Sequeira- Exec. and Leadership Coach and D&I consultant- Houston , Texas

Good evening, Ivy Migue from IDinsight, dialing from South Africa. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivy-migue-3687142b/

Hello, good to be back again, I am Jane Storer, a Leadership Coach in London.

Hi Everyone, Martha Higgins from MTH Advisors (Mind To Heart) - Brookline MA. Executive and leadership coach. Great to be in this community!

Hi everyone! Amanda Erickson (she/her) in Ohio. I'm the training manager and educator at an LGBTQ+ youth org, primarily working on teacher professional development, but am increasingly asked to do DEI trainings. https://www.linkedin.com/in/abuchert/

Hello all… Marnie tuning in from Delray Beach FL marnieo27@gmail.com!!

Big hello from Weston, CT! I’m Karyn (she/her)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paroolm/

Hi All—Sameena Kluck-I’m in legal tech that streamlines lawyer work for efficiency: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sameenakluck/ and sameena.k@lawgeex.com

Buongiorno tutti, Kristen Anderson, Chief Diversity Officer from Barilla, located in Italy. Pleasure to meet you all!https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-anderson-aaa44a8/

Natalie Robinson - Supplier Diversity Professional in NYC. www.linkedin.com/in/natalienrobinson Happy to join!

Hello and thank you for these wonderful calls! http://www.linkedin.com/in/lindseypollak

Hi everyone! Marcella Hall (she/her), with baby and video off. Hope to connect! http://linkedin.com/in/hallmarcella

Hi, I am Andre Herring. I am a D&I grad student at Tufts soon to be NY bound. https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-xavier-herring/

So good to see everyone! Lila Docken Bauman (she/hers). Anderson College of Business and Computing, Regis University, Denver, CO, teaching Leading Diverse and Inclusive Organizations.

www.linkedin.com/in/natalienrobinson

Hello, I’m Erika McMullen (she/her). I empower leaders to create effective teams and diverse & inclusive workplaces at Moxie Consulting Group, based in Richmond, VA. Glad to connect with all of you https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikamcmullen/

Hi colleagues! Vanessa Sims, Executive Director I&D at UMB Financial Corp. http://linkedin.com/in/vanessasims

Latise Hairston Buffalo, NY www.linkedin.com/in/latise-hairston-ph-d

Hi all! Cindi Gilliland (she/her). I am a professor at Claremont Graduate University. https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindi-gilliland-she-her-hers-771a1542/

hello everyone. I’m Tracey residing in Maryland.

Hi Everyone, I am Binny Nanavati. Former Director of Diversity & Inclusion at Dell, Public Speaker and Consultant. www.linkedin.com/in/.binnynanavati

feel free to connect with me. http://linkedin.com/in/tray08

👋🏻👋🏻 Ryan, here, is Astoria, Queens! https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/kennyryan

Tonight’s registration info… JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION - STORIES OF LIBERATION(Partnership between Fearless Communicators and Luminary)Thursday, June18, 2020 5-6:30PM EST / 2-3:30PM PTRegister: bit.ly/FearlessJuneteenth

Hello from Providence, RI! www.linkedin.com/in/latoiaburkley

bit.ly/FearlessJuneteenth

Happy Friday Eve! My name is Sherylle. it’s a pleasure to meet you all. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryllebates

http://linkedin.com/in/ogulesor Hi All! Rose Lugo here from NYC!

Is there a way to join for folks with financial barriers?

Hello everyone!! Happy Thursday! I am Celia Lectora pleasure to meet you all! https://www.linkedin.com/in/celia-lectora

Absolutely love that - kids and partners at home plus roomates are totally the soundtrack of our lives right now!

Ummm…I much prefer the Hamilton soundtrack to my new officemates’ soundtrack in my home office!

Brian, your audio goes in and out every once in a while.

Thanks Kelly! Sorry about that.

no problem…just thought you’d want to know. :)

For those not educated on pronouns, it would be great to explain

Latanya: The purpose of adding pronouns is to show our understanding that gender identity and expression is on a spectrum. Even for individuals whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth, it helps foster a culture of belonging and to demonstrate allyship to the transgender members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Hello Fellow Allies. I Live for this rich dialogue. https://www.linkedin.com/in/assana-lloyd/

Happy to be joining today’s call, I am Tammy Jones-Still, SR Director of Diversity & Inclusionhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-jones-still-722a0b

Be Color Brave!

Color Brave…Color Aware…

Hi everyone,

"Color doesn't matter" to always saying "POC" to saying Black when I mean Black was a person evolution starting in HS. Part of my active unlearning.

I love color aware vs color blind

Hi everyone! Joined a bit late today but here to listen and learn from fellow D&I’ers. Would love to connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdvawi/

I don’t have it in my headline but i go by she/her/ hers. I really think diversity and inclusion is so important and would love to get involved more. Feel free to connect! https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudette-cari%C3%B1o-8177035/

agreed, color aware vs color blind

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-ashton-ph-d-cdm-975b97/

Thank you for explaining false equivalency. Sometimes nonblack POC see it as a way to connect and miss the undermining way it can come across.

I also had to join a little late today, but so happy to be here today and to learn from this great community.

This reminds me of the Brene’ Brown bit on empathy, and that great YouTube video. Thanks for sharing your stories, Mita.

Yes I think people think it’s showing empathy but I think it can show a lack of understanding and minimizing someone’s experience. I like what Mita just said—your only job is to show up and listen-educate yourself and honor that person’s truth.

Thanks for sharing your story, Mita

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw

Sorry for the sound issues. My computer is trying switch mics for some reason. We’ll roll with it. :-)

Thanks for sharing Bernadette

As a white person I've had to attend to the line between owning my own privilege/complicity as an ally and giving off a signal of "white guilt" that expects to be rescued. Learning to just LISTEN is indeed a powerful skill that must be learned.

so difficult for us white folks because we have been socialized, incorrectly, to think its our job to lead and have answers, not to be listeners

I love that....our jobs starts at the kitchen table!

Learning to be comfortable being uncomfortable

That's awesome Mita - that you had her work with your leaders 3 years ago. Definitely a trailblazer! And know no one can get on her calendar

@Chris Pope I believe it is difficult for many people, not just White individuals, because it requires us to be uncomfortable and hold space for people

We have been socialized to appear powerful and extraverted and self-assured, not vulnerable and curious

@Cindi exactly!

Experiencing and explaining trauma is exhausting.. especially since I see many black friends doing it at work AND home. Folks are working double time in this movement.

Reposting my information because my internet isn’t loyal today lol. Robynne Sherrill | drsherrill65@gmail.com | LinkedIn.com/in/drsherrill | www.discussionsmatter.com

I have been thinking about this A LOT, as the white educator, when people ask for training workshops that focus on racial justice and POC, whether I am supposed to step aside and ask my supervisors (both black women) to provide that expertise, or be the ally who presents the workshop. Is it more inappropriate to ask them to continue to exhaust themselves, or to attempt to tell a story that's not mine?

+1 JD

I heartily agree with Mita-I watched my boyfriend on a work zoom today having to watch the video of the birdwatcher in Central Park having the cops called on him. Everyone on the call knew about the incident-why make black people suffer watching that again? Just to frame the discussion up-it’s not necessary to re-expose people to that.

How do you address the expectation that black employees should let the organization know how to they think the organization should address racism and what is happening today

@Amanda what about inviting several colleagues to join you? you can only speak to your own experience

@Amanda is it possible to have the conversation the exact way you framed it above and then listen to what they are willing to take on or sit out?

Great idea @Marcella. I haven't found that as an option though, with such a tiny organization, where everyone has so much on their plate. I am a Department of One :)

@Amanda-I think you lay it out to your colleagues exactly as you have here-I would welcome your input but don’t want to burden you with feeling like it is your job to educate the rest of us. Would you like to participate and how?

I've shared stories of my own best-intentions-colossal-fails around race with my students and I find that my white students cannot just hear my story in terms of how I hurt a person of color. They rush in to rescue ME and justify my actions rather than HEAR how the encounter affected the person of color I clashed with. This is a challenge in my own storytelling when I'm trying to model transparency for other white folks. It's a dynamic of unconsciously collaborating to preserve white privilege, and it takes time to get past that. You're right that Robin DiAngelo has provided great models for conversations among white people as they educate themselves.

Can’t you ask them which one they want to do? That’s even a step forward no?

I love the comment there are no experts anymore, I just have areas of expertise.

@Lila thanks for sharing this

“how are you doing personally?” —— so important!

Question - our organization is looking for ally training right now. Does anyone have recommendations or trainers that are good on this topic?

The model used for Intergroup Dialogues at the University of Michigan was to always have 2 co facilitators - one is an ally - think this is a great model

Great model, Marcella! I was just asked to “lead” a conversation and been trying to figure out how to position the response…

Shavondalyn - JBC has a really powerful allyship workshop that we’ve been delivering virtually!

Question: I’m an executive recruiter in Seattle, which is not a highly diverse region. Inherently I am a service provider to my clients – I find them what/who they need. Some companies are embracing D&I, many are not. How can I begin to sensitively insert D&I into this field?

I love the idea of 2 co-facilitators with one as an ally. Hopefully as my organization grows (we are now 9 FT staff, up from 6!) we'll have the option of hiring additional educators. Thanks!

I was trained in Intergroup Dialogue and it is so incredibly powerful

Thank you

It is very important to have both. Because Black people is one if the few groups where a non-member of the group feels comfortable being an expert and Black people can be labeled as being too involved to be objective. While other groups can forcefully own their story and still be seen as objective.

@Marcella - that's something we're working on to have co-facilitators for our class on diversity, inclusion, and a respectful workplace

I think the most powerful thing people can learn is their own agency in driving change

Agree. Inclusion is own by everyone.

Agreed - allies step up and allies self educate-

I think it’s great to state and repeat and repeat that this is all hands on deck and always should be. The D&I team is there to facilitate.

We must all lead change and at the same time not take power from POC when trying to be an ally

Great question. There is much higher turnover among low-status workers of color in many industries; It is so much more costly for them to speak up against workplace problems than for other workers. Of course they are not the ones who must be responsible for driving change. We waste a lot of great talent when top leaders and white managers do not take the initiative themselves to self-examine and self-audit on behalf of their companies.

Awesome, I love the co facilitator model!

Maybe call them in versus call them out?

good points, Lila.

Exactly - you’ll never be comfortable - discomfort isn’t a reason to not step up, speak, act etc.

Yes, Marcella - love that

I was at a talk yesterday where one of the panelists, David Johns, spoke about transitioning the narrative from “ally” to “accomplice.” Ally implies an ideological state of passive being and accomplice is actively working alongside a community toward a common goal.

@Alex I love that

It boils down to delayed versus instant gratification. We feel uncomfortable and the instant reaction is to stop that feeling and move away from it. If we’re patient and chose to sit in that uncomfort and listen and talk it through, it will result in growth. Thank you @Mita

@Alex that's a great mind shift

@Alex, but doesn't "accomplice" usually mean a sidekick or helper to a crime?

We have to give a lot of grace in this season

Audio seems to be going on and off...maybe it’s just at my end.

Love “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” Diversity is uncomfortable work. That’s how you know you are on the right track.

Adults need to remember bystander v. upstander.

I can see toggling between both or actually sitting in both simultaneously

Until white allies and business leaders can fully OWN their privilege without defensiveness, they cannot use that privilege in "accomplice-like" positive ways.

YES!!! everyday all day

Yes Lila!!

I think it’s easier to become an ally when you have a direct connection to the group you wish to become an ally to

GREAT point about legacy!

@Mita, thank you for reminding us to take time to connect personally! Important not to put leaders in a box.

We tried Ethos, Pathos and Logos to convince the top management to be start working on D&I. It really worked out.

@Leena, can you expand on that?

“Everyday all day” was a reference to becoming an ally (the men who care about women bc they have daughters example)

@Cindi - it does; but in this context, accomplices are “partners in crime” - working alongside folks to combat racial injustice. The active stance is where the intentionality of the language sits.

@Quinn Ethos is about establishing your authority to speak on the subject, logos is your logical argument for your point and pathos is your attempt to sway an audience emotionally.

@Lila - absolutely.

@Leena thank you

Must excuse myself early. Thank you for this conversation.

@Alex, thank you! I still worry that the unconscious association between POC and crime woud be activated by this term.

Mita - please tell us more about your Men as Allies Group

The Better Man conference is phe-nom-en-al

I'm late to today's call and had to miss other recent calls, but could use some help: We're in a conservative community and are hearing concerns from employees (including leaders) about our newly vocal support of black lives matter and addressing racial injustice. (e.g., Worry about employees with family members in law enforcement, people seeing black lives matter as a political statement.) Is anyone else experiencing this? How are you handling it? (Happy to discuss offline, too.)

How are you connecting with other HR focuses like wellness programs? I am still seeing a lack of shapes and sizes in diversity related marketing efforts.

Hi All,I’m head of customer service and support operations for a scientific and engineering software company. I’m based in Manchester, UK.I’m member of our Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Council and I’ve founded the first regional employee group to foster gender equity at the workplace. I have my own website on D&I in tech. (patriciagestoso.com).Let’s connect (https://www.linkedin.com/in/patriciagestoso/)

It's an honor to be part of these calls with all of you. Would enjoy connecting: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marykmorgan/

To be on the side of human rights is not a political statement. It’s voicing your morals.

Ben and Jerry’s had an AWESOME statement!

Some get hung up on the factual statement that Black lives matter, the organization, Black Lives Matter and the movement, Black Lives Matter.

@Robynne - yes, I've seen that here, as well

Love to connect with everyone - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisakohnccg/

Love these conversations. Would love to connect. https://www.linkedin.com/in/deb-williams8998/

The balance I’m working with my company on is using language that is very clear about racial injustice/police brutality but not necessarily pushing for language that the current movements are using, like Black Lives Matter. The language my company used initially was just “brutality” without using “police brutality” and that didn’t sit right with me. I think it’s about being clear with the language used in a way that is specific but doesn’t sound “political.”

Hofstra University has an informative YouTube video, "Black Lives Matter: Understanding the Movement and the Protest"

How does a company like Ben and Jerrys respond to those who bring up how they treated migrant workers in the past? It’s something people have brought up as missing from their statement.

My company is using language around Black Lives Matter as we share resources but in official company posts and branding we’re not using that language right now. But we are talking about black lives. I think that’s the balance I’m getting at.

Love this group and these discussions! Https:/www.linkedin.com/in/drsherrill/in. Let’s connect!

@Robynne Yes!!! great point about these 3 things (factual statement, organization, movement)

Thank you, everyone, for a great discussion!

#BLM should be a starting place for dialog, learning and understanding, not a "box" that represents "a" political point of view. It doesn't "mean" just one thing!

Can we get a link to the event?

Great group! Love to connect you all https://www.linkedin.com/in/leena-sahu-7b665218/

Thank you Brian and Mita! Great conversation. Huge fan!

Hello, All. Great conversation! I am an ally.Happy to connect.r/Davidhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhamiltonusma88

www.hummingbirdhumanity.com/event

www.hummingbirdhumanity.com/events

Do it Afraid.....https://www.linkedin.com/in/assana-lloyd/

Great call everyone and robust discussions! Please connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethmsanchez/

Thank you!

Thank you all for the resources & vulnerabilities! Here’s where to find me :) https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssakstein/

@Mita, thank you so much for fleshing out what this looks like in everyday action. "Do it Afraid" -- powerful.

Would love to connect with everyone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quinnfinnigan/

I wish there was an ‘add everybody to LinkedIn’ button!!

Thank you both for another great call! Would love to connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akrantzler/

Love the Do it Afraid! Thank you both!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jecherry/

Thank you Mita and Brian!

Thank you Mita :) You are wonderful

Another wonderful discussion. Thank you.

Mita & Brian, thank you again!

Thank you!! Love this

Thank you Mita and Brian! So helpful and energizing.

Thank you so much! this was excellent.

great discussion, thank you.

Thanks!

So awesome again today! Can't wait to share the learning

Thank you Mita - very inspiring!

thank you Mita. you are inspirational

Thank you for organizing! Heard words of wisdom

gracias!

Thank you everyone

Good point Brian. No one has all the answers. We all learn something new everyday about how to be imperfect allies

Tjam

Inspiring Mita, thanks!

Thanks

So wonderful! Thank you!

thank you