Good afternoon from Toronto, I’m a Sr. Leadership Consultant using DEI and Process Improvement to drive employee engagement. www.linkedin.com/in/meetzoemitchell. Looking forward to another great conversation today.

Good morning friends! Greetings from Los Angeles! https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethmsanchez/

Still in transition but hoping that change soon.

Hi everyone! I’m the Founder and Owner of Folded Owl. We’re an agency in Oklahoma City that provides diversity marketing and inclusive communications for equity-minded companies. https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyleveridge/

Folded Owl Company page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18936614/admin/

Great to be here. Denise Reid, Key Personnel Community Relations and DR Consulting - Tulsa, OK

Hi everyone!!!

Brian & Rana! Yay!!

Hi all. Mette from NYC. Freelance Org.Psychologist if in need. mettecharisbuchman@gmail.com

Greetings All, ///Lauren here from Cape Ann Massachusetts, USA; ancestral land of the Agawam tribal people that I’m fortunate to reside in and enjoy. I am Chair of the LGBTQ+ & Ally ERG at Iron Mountain and I look forward to join in community to learn. I am open to connect with folks working to advance, Diversity, Inclusive, Equity and Social Justice work within corporate structures. http://linkedin.com/in/lauren-boudreau-steeves-4194261

hey all! Erica (she/her) from the Toronto area in Canada. DEI practitioner in aviation for the last 11 years.

Hi friends! Ryan Letts (they/he) from LA. Always happy to connect - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-letts-they-he-655b12168/

Hi all! Always good to be here. HR specialist with Solomon Page in NYC. (exec search and recruitment firm)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynda-fraser-she-her-hers-9638966

Good to be here! I am Farheen from Princeton NJ: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farheenc/

Happy Thursday from Denver, CO: I teach Leading Diverse and Inclusive organizations at Regis Univ. I am stretching my skills around creating constructive and authentic dialogue about race and identity. www.linkedin.com/in/liladockenbauman

Hi everyone, Martha from MTH Advisors (Mind to Heart) - Leadership coaching and HR consulting firm in Boston, MA

Morning from Salt Lake City, UT. I am Victoria Cabal, Director of the Office for Student Inclusion at the David Eccles School of Business, University of Utah. I always love joining these calls! https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-cabal/

Hi everyone! Chuck Privitera here from New York Metro just trying to be an active anti racist in the OWG business of financial services. If you want to see how, join me tonight at this free SHRM event. I'm presenting!!! https://sussexwarrenhrma.org/meetinginfo.php?id=6&ts=1602195173 https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-chuck-privitera/

Thank you for the invitation! Mariah Niemiec here from iWorld Professionals, national staffing firm in Rochester NY.

Always good to join this community!! Let's connect https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsherrill

I'm Gretchen - working in sales marketing for a national Medicaid/Medicare brand, https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchenkinder/

Hello, everyone! Natasha here. I am a DEI Manager at Nika White Consulting! Would love to connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natashaporizkova/

Yess!!! Community Call time. Let's connect https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephmotes/

Hello from Minneapolis. I’m excited for this call today. I’ve been following Rana’s work since the last time he joined the community call. Love his work! https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristingoetze

Hi all! Justin (he/him) from NI in Austin, TX. Happy to connect: https://linkedin.com/in/jbradyjoyner

Hi Everyone, Nirmal from Eaton Corporation joining from Houston

Hello all! Sera here from the Santa Clara Office of LGBTQ Affairs. Let's connect! https://www.linkedin.com/in/serafernando/

Rana is a rock star!

Hi I’m Lamar (she/her), a first-timer. Web UX/Content/Research with Digital Wave in Huntingdon Valley, PA. Newly part of EDI Working Group for parent company https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamar-goodenough-66432a3/

Hi everyone. Lois Coburn, HR leader, LC HR Consulting providing interim/fractional HR leadership support. I'm in NC, after an entire lifetime in CA. Here to learn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/loiscoburn/

Greetings from Atlanta! I am a DEI advocate that specializes in helping individuals understand their impact on belonging and inclusion. I am currently seeking out my next fantastic career opportunity. Happy to connect with the group https://www.linkedin.com/in/damon-maassen/

Hi Everyone! I am Lisa White and this is my first weekly call. Good to get to know everyone! https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisawhite-iopsych/

Welcome @LisaWhite!

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

So glad to be here!

Oh fun! Politics… sigh

Greetings from Duke University! I’m a Communications Consultant in Graduate Communications and Intercultural Programs in the Pratt School of Engineering. Please feel free to connect! https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-campbell-ph-d-7900b088/

Hi friends! I’m Kayt Tiskus in NYC. Right now I’m doing a cool consulting project where I’m matchmaking ERGS and corporations with a desire to do something about *gestures* all this with nonprofits that need skilled volunteers (think “I need 20 hours of support with my salesForce!”) It’s term-limited so I’m on the hunt for an in-house DEIB position. I love making friends working in the DEIB space - reach out on LinkedIn and let’s chat! https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayt-tiskus-she-her-hers-6b6559196/

So great to be back with everyone!!!

Hello Everyone, I'm Mala from the Netherlands. I'm joining for the first time. I have a firm for DEI

Hello all…Zooming in from Delray Beach Florida….consulting on DEI projects and looking to return to a FT DEI role. www.linkedin/in/marnie-omanoff

Hi everyone! Missed last week, and glad to be back. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandice-mcallister/

welcome @mala

Hi @Mala - I think you’ll love it here!

Hello everyone! Tom Vincent, Cybersecurity practice lead and DEI Co-Chair, GableGotwals (Tulsa, OK). I hope if we haven’t connected already that you’ll reach out! https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-vincent-esq/

Howdy, y’all! Ryan, here, D&I practitioner in NYC. Always welcome new connections within this community: https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/kennyryan

Hello Everyone Director, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Coaching Center, Forum on Workplace Inclusion https://www.linkedin.com/in/murrayamann/

AMEN

PERIODT

BOOM

That part

Say that @Rana!!

Hi JBC Community, Ryan Martinez NYC: DEI Professional- BIG win with my client this week. In a Corporate Announcement the full endorsement and guidelines for sharing your pronouns in your email signature were debuted! Very exciting and powerful moment for the company and for being practitioners of DEI and LGBTQ+ advocacy in and out of industry!

wow...You Don't get to sit out on human rights!!

+1 @Joe

Hello friends! Happy to be here again. Love our weekly connections. I am in North Texas. I am a D&I consultant who focus on LGBTQ+ inclusion/affirmation/allyship. https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniekdement/

Congrats @Ryan!

You go, @Ryan! Many congrats!

my next canva creation ...will include that!

👏

Hi all, Eliz from RanaVerse here!

Hi Eliz!

Hello from Brooklyn, Yes, you don’t get to publicize and then do nothing! Yay

More on our work here: https://www.ranaverse.com/

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

Hello everyone! https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephine-guckiean-she-her-hers-b2a8643/

Hello from Northern VA. Diversity Inclusion & Belonging Senior Program Manager at Capital One https://www.linkedin.com/in/mira-niswonger/

True. Working in Oklahoma/the mid west is HARD.

Good Afternoon All! :)I'm a Communication Specialist and former Program Manager seeking new DEI opportunities.I recently relocated from NYC to PA. I'm here to learn and connect!http://www.linkedin.com/in/dikuaigga

+1 Skye!

That’s all we talk about now

@Skye there's a good network of people in Oklahoma that can be support!

Let's connect

Yes! We’ve been discussing what ‘bringing your full self to work’ means in relation to bringing your political beliefs into the office, etc. I’ve been sharing the podcast interview from JBC with Kenji Yoshino on covering where he talks about this specifically as one input.

@denise Do we have a support group on social somewhere? 😆

@Brian & @Rana - Very curious how Rana working for Equinox as a client is related to all of this!

+1 Denise - Happy to connect as well Skye!

Yes. This important as I also do a lot of political work, but I also work with nonprofits

@Tom - Skye can help me make sure I email you to set up a chat. lol

Thanks Shelley!

Greetings from Houston, TX https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-harris-4b729537/

Whew. People's right to not vote has been giving folks trouble this election cycle.

For colleagues who are looking for new opportunities, the Inclusion Allies Coalition D&I Career Opportunities has created the following webpage http://www.inclusioncoalition.info/d-i-career-opportunities.html

Thanks Murray - a great resource!

I am seeking an exciting full time DEI Lead opportunity within the financial and healthcare sector. I would love to connect with anyone here for any tips and pointers! I am the Founder of an Organizational Development firm, focusing on DEI, educator of DEI at higher ed, and contributor in various higher ed and business committees. Would love any insight from this group on how best to look for full time positions! Thanks so much :) https://www.linkedin.com/in/farheenc/

Good morning everyone, regular attendee of these amazing talks. I’m based in Los Angeles and run partnerships for a platform called MixR that specializes in allowing employees to create, manage and run their own self interest groups. It also allows existing ERG’s and D&I groups a place to live and thrive. If anyone is interested in chatting I’d love to connect. Happy Thursday everyone! https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettbrewster/

Heya, Brett!

yes! thank you for that. "it's okay to hold space" I struggle mostly with women's events, people upset that men are excluded

I have the opportunity to work with a suburban city to improve their diversity initiatives in terms of inclusive events and representation within the community. What suggestions would you have about what should be the primary focus?

I wish that Facebook and other platforms would turn the comments off completely.

Same Ken.

Hi folks-- I discovered JBC last week during Out & Equal's Workplace Summit. Excited to make new D&I connections! https://www.linkedin.com/in/leereece

@rana - did you get any pushback from people about the decision to turn the comments off? I think it’s a great strategy at times, but am curious as to if you did and how you responded.

Thanks Murray, that is a great resource!

Yes! I’d love to see them. :)

Rana, your work is so aligned with what I do in policy and strategy with gov and NGOs

Wow

That's awesome

Coach: https://www.instagram.com/p/CGVzQ32gLdu/

That’s awesome!!

hey everyone! my name is Moradeyo Adeyi. I recently started my own equity and inclusion consulting group, and just booked my first client. I also teach a course on oppression at Hunter College. happy to be here and connect !

https://www.linkedin.com/in/moradeyo-adeyi-50947535

Axe: https://www.instagram.com/p/CF0g0Dwppwn/

I forgot to add the link - www.mixr.net

Hi Shelley! :) :)

That is amazing! Videos in ASL are so crucial.

Unilever - https://vimeo.com/showcase/7660850

That is one aspect of voter suppression I never considered. Relating to the LGBTQ+ community

I love that!

Imagine what that would be like doing something like that but coming from a major professional sports team

Hi friends – I am Dominic Longo, in NYC. Founder of Flourishing Gays, I do leadership development and executive coaching from LGBTQ+ perspectives, specifically a cohort-based 6-month leadership program specially designed for highly accomplished LGBTQ+ men. I also do organizational development consulting for smaller companies on their DEI learning journeys. Happy to connect with members of this community of DEI practitioners!https://www.flourishinggays.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/fdominiclongo/

This is amazing! I help trans folks change their names legally, and the biggest pain point is usually how uncomfortable it is to walk into a courthouse, often with an id that doesn’t match their present appearance. The legal part isn’t very complicated, but the safe interaction with institutions part - much easier with a lawyer walking in with you

Thinking about how to help with similar problems with voting? from unilever? MIND BLOWN

+1 Mandice. This is truly eye opening!

Same here @ Kayt

WHEW!

Say that!

@Rana, so important for internal and external pieces to be aligned. Could not agree more!

Can Rana share how the voting process goes in the UK? It would be great to hear that.

Woohoo to queer POC! We are here!

A friend and I were just talking about that earlier this week. There are SO many barriers to voting.

Makes me so sad that it’s hard for POC to vote here in the US!

Yes

It sure is

I'm an American based in the UK, and it's really interesting to see how differently the UK treats racial issues. People here tend to still believe that racial injustices don't happen in the way that they happen in the US, but when you hear white people talk about other races, there is definitely still an inherent level of racism and stereotyping. I get the sense that racism is still systemic here, but it's not being talked about enough.

@Ceysa Do they not realize our racism was a direct import from the UK??

Voting is also difficult for trans people (esp trans people of color) because ID is necessary to vote and they may not have IDs that affirm their gender or they may not have an ID at all because they do not have secure housing

@Shelley Some do, but it's still seen as a US issue, not a UK issue.

@Ceysa WOW. We didn’t invent slavery and colonialism. That’s some serious cognitive dissonance.

HAHAHAHAHA

That’s a real response.

hahahaha that is me as well

We need to own it because plenty of people benefitted from those things and we certainly continued that culture. But to see it as strictly and American issue is willingly ignorant.

learned to exercise patience, especially with "liberal" white folks

@Rana: This speaks to the importance of breaking down silos and diversifying our relationships so that we can be in a place to ally in meaningful ways. Dolly Chugh in her book The Person You Mean to Be: Many well meaning people who consider themselves allies actually have homogenous network groups. She encourages people to audit their own contact lists and friend/neighbor groups to assess how diverse one's personal relationships really are.

why are no Black perspectives represented in this discussion?

Or CEOs who are out as pro-Trump (ie. Equinox!)

Amen, Heidi. We “liberal” white folks need to learn that sometimes the best way we can help is to STFU, stop trying to control a conversation that doesn’t belong to us, and ask the POC who have been doing the work forever if, as Dr. Nika White said, there’s something we can do that they either can’t or don’t want to do.

THANK YOU @Talitha

Re: Talitha's comment - if you haven't discovered it already, Michelle Obama has a podcast and the second episode speaks really well about how people in privileged positions can step aside to make space for others. Really great listen

Would love to connect with members of this community, Dr. Nika White, nikawhite.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikawhite/

This conversation has been enlightening. I had no idea that brands were even engaged in this kind of activism. It's very inspiring

Good Morning everyone my name is Rachel Munyaradzi and I am a Change Management Consultant and Executive Coach. I am new to the DEI space and I am learning so much from this forumRachel Rudo MunyaradziContact InfoYour Profilelinkedin.com/in/rachel-r-munyaradziEmailrachelrudo@gmail.com

Could Rana repeat those organizations Unilever is working with?

+1 Talitha - stand behind, don’t step in front.

When We All Vote, Civic Alliance, VoteRiders & Hustlers Guild

I'd love to connect with more people from this community/discussion as well.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariah-niemiec/

This is all so eye opening. How about elderly voters and those in nursing homes? Many Indian reservations also are very under resourced re safe and fair polling places.

Coach: More Than A Vote & Voto Latino

Thank you, Rana!

Same, here! Inspiration led to joining & leading an ERG, which led to a career path in D&I.

That is what I am trying to do (full time position in DEI)! Would love to chat with you @Nika White and @Natasha Porizkova.

It’s not an easy transition…I have been trying for 9 months haha

Anyone else interested in making the switch, feel free to connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natashaporizkova/

25 years in HR leadership - job descriptions are wish lists! Rarely, does anyone actually meet the job requirements, and we hire them anyway.

Like Ken said, it is not an easy transition. It was a long road to get here, but it is absolutely worth it.

My job has added D&I work to my plate yet it isn't part of my 'official' job. I've found I love and enjoy the D&I work - so this transition is on my mind as well!

@Lois, great point!

DEI and Intercultural Communications fields are separate, but overlapping. You might also think about investigating those intersections and circles!

Cmon 45!

I am also looking to move into a full time DEI role. I wish there was a clear path or education track to follow haha Would love to connect with anyone who has any insight or advice :)https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashmacbro/

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

Which requires empowering and listening to voices of those vulnerable to barriers that maybe are below most people's radar!

For colleagues who are looking for new opportunities, the Inclusion Allies Coalition D&I Career Opportunities has created the following webpage http://www.inclusioncoalition.info/d-i-career-opportunities.html

I am so sorry, I have to jump off for another call at 1pm. So great to meet everyone! Thank you!

Have to hop off, but thank you Brian, Rana and the whole community!

Is anyone familiar with a certification program for DEI professionals that they would recommend?

Yes. 100%

I've heard good things about the Cornell program

I agree Rachel!!!

It’s a pleasure to connect with everyone! Please connect and let’s keep the vibrancy of this conversation going. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethmsanchez/

I also agree, Rachel!

cornell, JBC has a program too

Denise, I just finished the Cornell program and I would recommend it!

^ Same!

Thank you Angeleen

Denise try the National Diversity Council.

https://info.ecornell.com/diversity-and-inclusion?creative=448047129832&keyword=%2Bcertificate%20in%20%2Bdiversity%20and%20%2Binclusion&matchtype=b&network=g&device=c&utm_campaign=ldrshp_US+-+BMM+-+Diversity+and+Inclusion&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=%2Bcertificate%20in%20%2Bdiversity%20and%20%2Binclusion&utm_content=g_448047129832_b&creative=448047129832&keyword=%2Bcertificate%20in%20%2Bdiversity%20and%20%2Binclusion&matchtype=b&network=g&device=c&url=https%3A%2F%2Finfo.ecornell.com%2Fdiversity-and-inclusion%3Fcreative%3D448047129832%26keyword%3D%252Bcertificate%2520in%2520%252Bdiversity%2520and%2520%252Binclusion%26matchtype%3Db%26network%3Dg%26device%3Dc&target=&position=&gclid=CjwKCAjw5p_8BRBUEiwAPpJO6wYvX-aZFCV747jxW9_SQrugH3dyACh7wsFxjK_x5VVxi6xCHVBlxBoC3PoQAvD_BwE --- Scroll down to see the information

@Ryan...good to know...thank you!

Very true!!!

Yesssssssss

So right Rana!

Thanks Lisa - have you completed theirs?

Happy to share my personal experience! :D

I look forward to connecting with members of our community. Director, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Coaching Center, Forum on Workplace Inclusion https://www.linkedin.com/in/murrayamann/

Thank you everyone for another amazing call. Would love to connect with other members of this community. https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureenbooth/

Ranas LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/rana-reeves-72637552/

I do DEI work in higher ed and am always happy to hear from Rana and to connect!

I have to drop, but this was a fabulous discussion. Feel free to reach out on LinkedIn to keep the connections going! https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceysa/

http://linkedin.com/in/chantellgarrett

https://linkedin.com/in/ramonagupta

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

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sbwheeler2008 Thanks all for a great conversation and chat!

Yes! Consumerism! woo hoo :)

Thank you all for joining today, and thank you Brian and Rana for such a great discussion.

I love talking about queer, trans, intersectional inclusion. Feel free to connect with me :) https://www.linkedin.com/in/serafernando/

Values add value!!

Love the discussion today — we have to be able to discuss politics, esp. with this election! https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniekdement/

do what's right and go in #pursefirst! Thank you Rana and Brian!

Thanks for a great conversations!

I LOVED THIS CONVERSATION!

Thank you!!

Thank you all!

Thank you!!

Thank you!

Thank you!!

Thank you all!!

Thank you Rana and Brian! So enlightening and wise! Blessings everyone!

Thank you!

Thank you everyone!

Brian - congrats on your promo - I remember you from the audience!

Thank you and Stay Safe All!