5 Things / Who Asks Who
Listen to the Full Episode Here:
This week I gave a keynote in Albany, NY. They were an amazing audience, so a big hello to all the new readers of 5 Things!
One of the things I touched on is how Gen Z will ask you/your company about DEI goals and offerings during their job interview. I saw a lot of people in the audience nodding their heads in agreement. It’s happening and it’s only going to increase. They are interviewing you, too. How are you responding? (not with excuses, I hope)
That’s a legit question. I’d love to read your answers…please reply and I’ll share in a future 5 Things!
Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:
City of Boston Announces Gender Equity Updates to Marriage Licenses
Boston has updated its marriage licenses by removing the requirement for sex or gender identification. This change validates the experience of trans and non-binary folks and anyone else who doesn’t fit into the rigid male and female binary boxes. This is one of a variety of new gender-aware guidelines for city resources and data collection, part of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable city for all residents, regardless of their gender identity.
Bank of America to Raise Minimum Wage to $23 an Hour in October
Bank of America will increase its minimum hourly wage to $23 in October, part of its plan to raise hourly pay to $25 by 2025. The federal minimum wage is a tragic $7.25 per hour. This BoA increase will result in a minimum annual salary of nearly $48,000 for full-time employees. Many front-line bank employees are women and BIPOC and this increase directly impacts them, bit by bit chipping away at the gender and race wealth gaps.
Netflix, Bollywood, and India’s Biggest Companies Take a Stand for LGBTQ Inclusion
Major Indian companies are now actively supporting LGBTQ+ employees and customers through initiatives like expanded employee benefits, ads on billboards, and inclusive content in movies and TV shows. Companies like Starbucks and Razorpay are demonstrating the power of societal and corporate influence in promoting acceptance and diversity. It’s working: in recent years, India has made significant progress in LGBTQ+ rights with court rulings decriminalizing homosexuality and expanding legal definitions to include same-sex couples. The Supreme Court also has an impending decision on same-sex marriage.
Empowering Black-Owned Businesses: Wayfair's Supplier Diversity Initiative
Wayfair has introduced a supplier diversity program to expand its offerings of home goods from Black-owned suppliers. Wayfair’s goal is to uplift Black-owned suppliers by including a dedicated landing page and search filter for customers to easily find these products. They’re even coaching these suppliers on what Wayfair customers look for. This is the way it's done: programs like these not only promote economic equity but also expand business relationships, which potentially reduces risk and strengthens the supply chain.
Lyric Opera’s Soundshirt — A New Way Deaf, Hearing-Impaired Patrons Can Experience Music
The Lyric Opera in Chicago is pioneering a new wearable technology called the SoundShirt, designed to help hearing-impaired patrons "feel" music through vibrations. The shirt contains 16 tiny motors that vibrate in response to sounds from the orchestra, allowing the wearer to experience music in a unique way. The SoundShirt represents a significant step toward making cultural events, like opera performances, more accessible to individuals with hearing impairments. Note: it still isn’t music, and it works best together with an American Sign Language interpreter and subtitles (also available at select performances). Still, this technology not only enhances their experience but also encourages more people from this community to engage with the arts, promoting diversity and inclusion in cultural spaces.
Call to Action:
Tune in to Diversity: Beyond The Checkbox hosted by Jackie Ferguson. Explore a world of diverse insights and perspectives shared by influential figures in the realms of business, executive education, and diversity & inclusion on this compelling podcast. Subscribe and listen on all major podcast platforms.