Workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion's Progression: What Ensues When the Professional Sphere Turns A Blind Eye to its Past?

Workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion's Progression: What Ensues When the Professional Sphere Turns A Blind Eye to its Past?

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Stepping up as a beacon of hope amidst the ongoing backlash against DEI, the Future DEI Summit seeks to revitalize the conversation surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion. Organized by identity and belonging coach, Erin Corine Johnson, this virtual event promises to deliver more than your typical corporate conference - it's all about raw, honest conversations, diverse viewpoints, and a community of change-makers working towards mutual empowerment.

For Johnson, a multidisciplinary artist, community organizer, and coach, the summit wasn't sparked by the current political climate, but by the realization that many DEI practices have failed to protect those they were designed to serve. In her view, today's social upheaval is the culmination of years of empty policies and lack of sustainable, accountable practices. As she puts it, "This summit is for individuals, whether DEI-titled or not, asking, 'What can I do now?'"

Spread over five action-packed days, the summit will feature conversations, panel discussions, and fireside chats, all revolving around the central question: What's the future of DEI, and how can we trigger change outside of teetering institutions? The diverse lineup of speakers includes educators, antiracist scholars, and more – all of whom have weathered the storm of DEI backlash and found innovative ways to persevere. For instance, Blair Imani, creator of the popular Smarter in Seconds series, will talk about creative methods for inclusive education. "In the face of these repressive policies," she says, "we needn't surrender. We can innovate."

On the other side of the Atlantic, anti-racism educator and author Desirée Bela-Lobedde will shed light on the often-forgotten racism in Spain and challenge the myth that DEI is primarily an American issue. "In Spain," Bela-Lobedde says, "many people believe antiracist work is unnecessary elsewhere. I hope to inspire attendees to reflect on their own circumstances, question what they've been taught, and embrace the opportunity to contribute actively to antiracist transformation in their own communities."

Meanwhile, parents Louis and Arlene Byrd will discuss their personal experiences as Black parents and as panelists, focusing on how to talk to children about racism. Their session, titled "Talking to Kids About Racism," tackles the challenging yet essential task of educating kids about systems of inequality while maintaining their innocence and nurturing hope.

When asked about the future of DEI, Louis Byrd emphasized the importance of ownership. "I envision the future of DEI as an ownership movement," he says. "Ownership of businesses, infrastructure, neighborhoods, and communities."

What makes the Future DEI Summit unique is its focus on including everyday people. Johnson notes a widening rift between those practicing DEI at the corporate level and the communities the movement is meant to serve. "It's become increasingly difficult for people to fully comprehend what DEI is doing in their companies," she says, "and ordinary people struggle to recognize how they can make a difference from their individual standpoints." The summit is designed to narrow this gap by humanizing the work and decentralizing power.

In Johnson's opinion, the DEI backlash is less a reason to retreat and more an invitation to rebuild something better. "DEI critics will target us regardless of what we call it," she says. "What happens when we focus on caring for each other, building our own communities, and sustaining our resistance in the face of them?" This essence of Johnson's mission – caring, collaborative resistance – permeates each speaker, from Imani's excitement about transnational solidarity to Bela-Lobedde's call for a greater racial reckoning in Europe, and the Byrds' dedication to raising conscious, aware children. The message is clear: DEI isn't dying; it's being reborn – outside corporations, beyond empty slogans, and in the hands of the community, who have never needed permission to do the work in the first place.

If you want more information about the Future of DEI Virtual Summit, its speakers, or its mission, visit the official website here. You can also connect with the speakers and participants through social media platforms like Instagram, where they often share updates. To learn more about the mission and objectives, consider engaging with the free Accomplice Accelerator Community Membership that comes with a general access pass, which might provide resources and discussions related to DEI practices. If you have specific questions or need additional info, feel free to reach out to the organizers directly via email.

1. The Future DEI Summit, a platform for authentic DEI discussions, aims to revitalize the discourse surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion, moving beyond standard corporate diversity practices.
2. Erin Corine Johnson, the event organizer and identity coach, sees the summit as an opportunity for change-makers toempower each other, driven by raw, honest conversations and diverse perspectives.
3. Over five days, attendees will engage in diverse panel discussions, fireside chats, and learning sessions, all geared towards exploring the future of DEI and instigating change beyond hesitant institutions.
4. The varied speaker lineup includes educators, antiracist scholars, and individuals who have navigated the DEI backlash, offering fresh ideas for perseverance and innovation.
5. Blair Imani, creator of Smarter in Seconds series, will present innovative methods for inclusive education that can sustain progress despite repressive policies.
6. Desirée Bela-Lobedde, an anti-racism educator and author, will address the often-forgotten racism in Spain and inspire attendees to challenge the belief that DEI is exclusively an American issue.
7. Louis and Arlene Byrd, Black parents and panelists, will discuss the essential task of educating kids about systems of inequality while fostering hope and maintaining innocence.
8. Louis Byrd envisions the future of DEI as an ownership movement, focusing on the cultivation and control of businesses, infrastructure, neighborhoods, and communities.
9. The summit aims to bridge the gap between corporate diversity practitioners and the community, humanizing the work and decentralizing power, inviting everyone to contribute actively to the antiracist transformation.

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