5 Things / Evolving Roles
Listen to the Full Episode Here:
It’s officially time to hit the ground running on fall/winter projects. But after a summer with some major DEI backslides, it can be easy to lose momentum. During last week’s conversation with Jennifer Brown on 5 Things in 15 Minutes, she presented a new way of thinking about each of our evolving roles in this shifting DEI landscape. She encouraged us to reflect on the following:
Notice the system that is in play, the systems that you have any kind of influence over. These could be numerous systems at work, in the community, in your family, in your church, etc.
Are you an insider or an outsider in that system or somewhere in between?
How do you want to interact with that system? What do you want to bring as a change agent? What do you have the capacity to bring?
Jennifer suggests that this could mean that we bring our voice as somebody who has been traditionally marginalized. Or perhaps we bring our insider status to raise attention around something and shine a light on something inequitable.
Jennifer’s message is, “If we could all look at the ingredients of who we are in this way, I think we would be more useful…the challengers [like you!] from the inside are super important at this moment because that's where this tussle is going on…for the soul and the spirit of equity and equality.”
Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:
Lego Is Launching Its Braille Bricks in English and French for the General Public
Lego is launching the "Lego Braille Bricks - Play with Braille" set, consisting of 287 bricks with raised studs that correspond to Braille characters. Aimed at children aged 6 and up, these bricks aim to help those with vision disabilities learn to read Braille. Lego worked with blind organizations worldwide to develop these bricks and they were initially offered to schools for free. The move to make them commercially available comes in response to global demand for accessible learning tools. This genius! An enjoyable and interactive method for children with visual impairments to acquire Braille skills, taking a significant stride towards nurturing their independence.
Nebraska Cornhuskers Volleyball Breaks Women’s Sports World Attendance Record
The University of Nebraska set a historic record in women's sports as 92,003 spectators turned out to watch a volleyball match at Lincoln's Memorial Stadium. This shattered the previous record for attendance at a women's sporting event, marking a significant moment for women's sports. It reflects the popularity and growing interest in women's college sports, particularly in traditionally male-dominated sports. This turnout showcases the passion and dedication of fans to support women's teams on a large scale, and the potential win-wins from continued growth and investment in women!
Texas Waves Goodbye to Sales Tax on Menstrual and Gender-Based Products
Texas has joined 23 other states and D.C. in eliminating sales taxes on menstrual and gender-based products, commonly referred to as the "pink tax." The list includes essentials like period products, diapers, breastfeeding devices, baby bottles, and clothes for pregnant people. These products can get expensive, especially with inflation, and especially for the many folks who have to choose between buying these products and food. Removing the "pink tax" on menstrual products is a significant step towards gender equity and economic relief for all consumers.
Retailers Help Generate $14 Billion for Black-Owned Companies
Retailers participating in the Fifteen Percent Pledge, which aims to dedicate 15% of shelf space to Black-owned brands, have driven $14 billion in revenue to 625+ businesses since May 2020. The Black-owned brands also receive mentorship and professional development support. Major corporate participants include Sephora, Ulta Beauty, Gap, Nordstrom, and Macy’s. While none have hit the longer-term goal of 15% yet, this success demonstrates the impact of corporate commitments to DEI. It drives revenue for Black-owned businesses and increases consumer demand for diverse brands.
Lumen Field Was Awarded Kulture City’s Sports Venue of the Year Award 2023
The Seattle Seahawks won Kulture City’s Sports Venue of the Year for “Ben’s Room”, their sensory room at Lumen Field. The room is named in honor of Ben Schneider, the son of the team's general manager, who has autism. It provides a calming environment for guests with sensory needs during games. The room has soundproof carpet along the floor and walls, activity panels, bean bags, visual light panels, and more. What I love most, though, is that the Seahawks partnered with KultureCity to train 400+ gameday staff to recognize and assist guests with sensory needs. This not only enhances the gameday experience for fans with sensory needs but also promotes awareness and understanding of autism in a public setting.
Karen Wilkins-Mickey, VP of DEI at the Seattle Seahawks will join me this week on 5 Things in 15 Minutes next week to talk about this story!
Call to Action:
Have you checked out Living Corporate? It's a Black-owned digital media network that centers and amplifies Black and brown folks at work. Check it out for some great podcasts and articles.