Building Our Own Tables: A Paradigm Shift in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Recent engagement on my LinkedIn post has shown that the community is eager for a renewed approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The concept of "building our own tables" struck a chord with many, garnering overwhelming support and insightful commentary. As the conversation unfolded, it became clear that this idea merited further exploration. Hence, this edition of my newsletter aims to delve deeper into this paradigm shift.

The Constraints of Traditional DEI Approaches:

The conventional dialogues surrounding DEI often fall short for several reasons:

1. Tokenism: The phrase "a seat at the table" frequently translates to merely symbolic representation rather than true inclusion.
2. Limited Influence: Even if granted a seat, one’s voice often has restricted influence in decision-making.
3. Missed Opportunities for Innovation: As diversity fuels innovation, traditional approaches miss out on the full potential of a genuinely diverse environment.

My good friend Rendel Solomon raised an important aspect that cannot be ignored. Building our own tables should not divert our focus from the need for equitable resource distribution within the broader systemic framework.

Advantages of Building Our Own Tables:

Building our tables comes with compelling benefits:

1. Control Over Culture and Narrative: It provides the opportunity to define the organizational culture and narrative from inception.
2. Authentic Representation: Every participant becomes a valued contributor, rather than a token.
3. Catalyze Innovation and Progress: Diverse environments lead to varied perspectives, resulting in innovative solutions.

Karrie Sullivan ’s insights are noteworthy here. Identifying and investing in leaders who inherently value diversity is a pathway to creating such environments.

Practical Steps to Implementation:

For those considering this alternative route, the following steps can serve as a guide:

1. Identify Opportunities: Evaluate the landscape for sectors or areas where your unique skill set and viewpoint could be influential.
2. Gather Resources: Align with like-minded investors and partners.
3. Build a Diverse Team: Make diversity a core component of your team-building strategy.
4. Set a DEI Agenda: Make DEI an integral aspect of your organizational blueprint.

The alarming VC investment statistics pointed out by Daniel Smith, MBA , underscore the need for a multi-faceted strategy, particularly in technology sectors where capital is a significant factor.

Conclusion:

The notion of building our own tables isn't a call to isolate ourselves from the rest of the world. Rather, it serves as an additional pathway for advancing DEI alongside existing initiatives. The objective is to have a holistic approach that fosters true diversity, equity, and inclusion. The community, including thought leaders like Vicki Wilkerson , is rallying behind this concept, and it's time to capitalize on this momentum to effect real change.

A special thanks to Carlarta Ratchford , Rendel Solomon , Karrie Sullivan , Daniel Smith, MBA , and Vicki Wilkerson for your enriching perspectives. Your contributions are not just words; they are building blocks in the foundation of a more equitable and inclusive future.

#BuildYourOwnTable #DEI #InclusionMatters #TimeForChange #InnovateWithInclusion