Celebrating Black History Month: The Importance of Diversity Equity and Inclusion

Black History Month is an annual celebration to recognize the achievements of African Americans in the U.S., initially conceptualized in 1925 by historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Across the U.S., organizations celebrate Black History Month every February. It’s an important time for workplaces to recognize African Americans’ role throughout history and promote diversity within their organizations addressing the root systemic causes of inequity.

One of the most impactful ways your organization can celebrate Black History Month and truly make an impact is by developing and/or updating your Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the workplace.

What is the Definition of DEI Today?

It is important to understand the true definition of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (“DEI”) as it is forever changing and expanding. Today, DEI in the workplace are mutually reinforcing principles within an organization, focused on understanding the importance of your employees’ identities, honoring their differences, and digging deep to find any systemic inequity hidden in your company culture. The true meaning of DEI today includes:

1. 1. Diversity

   2. Having an organization where various social and cultural characteristics exist, including people from a wide range of identities, with different perspectives and experiences within a given setting. Specifically referring to the psychological, physical, and social differences among individuals in the workplace.

   3. Equity

   4. Everyone has access to the same treatment, opportunities, and advancement. Equity aims to identify and eliminate barriers that prevent the full participation of some groups, ensuring equally high outcomes for all and removing any correlation between success or failure and social or cultural factors.

   5. Inclusion

   6. Employees feel a part of their team and the larger organization, no matter what their identity, working in an environment of acceptance and respect where the organization harnesses the benefits of different ideas, experiences, and perspectives.

The Value of DEI

Diverse teams translate to higher staff satisfaction and retention rates creating significant opportunities for innovation. Reinforcing robust DEI programs helps every employee show up each day and be their true selves, fostering higher degrees of engagement, productivity, a sense of belonging, and innovation that contribute to increased revenue and success.

This Black History Month, celebrate by making DEI a part of your everyday strategy. When companies take proactive and meaningful action, they improve company culture and empower employees of all racial backgrounds to embrace DEI practices throughout their lives. Some simple ways to begin at the corporate and individual level are:

1. 1. 1. Support Black-owned businesses and increase your supplier diversity
      2. Invest in the Black community and organizations that support racial justice
      3. Create personal equity and inclusion statements
      4. Support company employee resource groups (ERGs)/Affinity Groups
      5. Engage DEI consultants and industry experts to open up dialogue and for awareness and other foundational training
      6. Encourage employees to expand their understanding of racism
      7. Reading and watching educational documentaries is one important way to understand systemic racism, White privilege, and the long legacies of slavery and White supremacy in American history. Education and personal reflection are keys to identifying your own biases and stereotypes. Consider offering your employees gift cards to purchase books related to race and racism, such as:
         • Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
         • How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
         • Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History by Vashti Harrison
         • The Source of Self-Regard by Toni Morrison
         • The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
         • Racism: A Short History by George M. Fredrickson

During this significant month of celebrating African Americans and the tremendous impact and contributions they have bestowed upon our country, it is essential to stress the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion within your organization. Representation, belonging, and inclusion matter. The best thing you can do to celebrate Black History Month is to make your Black employees feel seen, heard, and validated. Commit to impactful and long-term DEI efforts to truly understand your inclusion efforts and make sure everyone is supported and accepted for who they are. DEI is not something to be celebrated for one month: active and conscious work must be engaged year-round to foster a safe and engaging workplace for all employees.

For questions about making diversity a part of your firm, or for more information on partnering with Insource Services, please reach out to us at 781-235-1490, or email us at insource@insourceservices.com.

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