5 Things / Low Key
Listen to the Full Episode Here:
I recently had a conversation with a tech company looking for a low-key DEI partner (their words, not mine). A firm that can offer a lighter lift. The last DEI partner had high expectations from the company’s senior leadership team in terms of time and commitment. That partner wouldn’t provide one-off workshops as a matter of principle. I get it.
The company already has a DEI strategy statement, pillars, and some employee resource groups. There’s some solid structure and a genuine sense of purpose. Given recent layoffs, they don’t have much capacity to implement.
Low key DEI? We’re here for that.
The reason is that momentum is everything. Yet it’s delicate. It’s incredibly easy to lose. Whether it’s building on momentum after Pride month, or a recent internal win, it’s key to celebrate DEI progress and keep going. You can always count on us for a light lift.
Good Vibes:
Rikkie Valerie Kollé has become the first transgender woman to be crowned Miss Netherlands, The 22-year-old will represent the Netherlands in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant. If Kollé wins, she will become the first trans woman to do so. Kollé, of Dutch and Indigenous Moluccan descent, is a role model for young women and queer people, and she embraces this by sharing her story and offering support. When trans people are increasingly under attack, this is good vibes indeed.
Expedited Transport Agency (ETA), a logistics company in Birmingham, Alabama, is creating a supportive work environment for employees in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. Over 60% of ETA's workforce is in recovery, including the company's co-founder, Tim Cross. The company offers second chances, internal advancement opportunities, and resources for employees' recovery journeys. There are 22 million people in the U.S. in recovery, and programs like this reduce stigma and give these folks a chance to thrive. I love this story because it showcases the benefits of a culture of empathy and compassion – and I hope inspires some other employers. Admittedly, not many 5 Things stories come from Alabama.
Cordillera Chocolates has launched a sustainability initiative called 'ATENEA' to support the long-term transformation of female cocoa farmers in Colombia. ATENEA = Women Who Transcend. The program launched with 115 women and uplifts the role of female farmers in the cocoa sector by providing them with training and connections to strategic partners for apprenticeships and financing. The importance of female farmers in the cocoa industry has been increasingly recognized worldwide. By empowering and investing in these women, the initiative aims to drive positive change and promote gender equality in the cocoa-growing community.
Walmart is implementing modifications in its stores to create a more welcoming environment for people with sensory disabilities. To make back-to-school shopping more accessible for customers with sensory issues (5-15% of school-aged kids), Walmart will offer sensory-friendly hours on Saturdays until the end of August or September, depending on the region. During those hours, they’ll reduce overhead lights, turn off radios, and use static images on televisions to create a quieter and less stimulating atmosphere. I love this and it’s easy for other retailers to do.
Esther Vergeer and Rick Draney will become the sixth and seventh wheelchair tennis inductees in the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Vergeer, a 21-time Grand Slam singles champion in wheelchair tennis from the Netherlands, expressed her disbelief and gratitude, stating that it is the biggest honor of her career. Wheelchair tennis is integrated more into the International Tennis Federation than many other sports are within their own federations. I love the joy of play and everyone deserves to have that experience – Vergeer is a wonderful possibility model for other wheelchair athletes.
Call to Action and Update:
New podcast alert! My friend LaToyna Wilkins, who wrote Leading Below the Surface: How to Build Real (and Psychologically Safe) Relationships with People Who Are Different from You has a new podcast of the same name. You can check it out here, too. (yes, I realize I gave her a shout-out last week, too)