Bernadette Smith Bernadette Smith

5 Things / Code Switching

Great leadership qualities are born from oppression.

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We have a new consulting client that’s a law school. Our kickoff meeting was recently, and in advance, I was asked to swap out any language that sounded too “corporate.” Consultants became partners. Employees became faculty and staff. They wanted to de-emphasize our corporate work so we would have more credibility with the academics in the room.

The kickoff went great! As we were walking out, our contact thanked me for being able to speak to the audience in that way. I replied “My pleasure! I know how to code-switch.”

It’s a silly story, but these are the skills we build when we’re members of underrepresented groups. And they can come in very handy in leadership roles…great leadership qualities are born from oppression. I actually have a keynote on just that topic called Born This Way. Reply if you’d like to learn more about it!

This Week’s Good Vibes:

  1. Racial Diversity Leaders to Higher Box Office ROI

  2. Tyson to Hire 42,000 Migrants

  3. It's OK to Say Gay

  4. Inclusive Bridal Dresses

  5. Walmart Teaches Compassion

This Week’s Call to Action:

It’s Women’s History Month! Learn about some amazing women by exploring the inductees of the National Women’s Hall of Fame. The 2024 class has its first trans woman, Sandy Stone.

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Bernadette Smith Bernadette Smith

5 Things / Doubling Down

“When people ask me if we’re going backward [about DEI], I say we’re only moving forward. We’re doubling down.”

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When people ask me if we’re going backward [about DEI], I say we’re only moving forward. We’re doubling down.”

Wise words from a white male executive whose employer (my client) is based in a very conservative area, in a very conservative industry. I’m finding myself in a lot of similar conversations recently, speaking to leaders committed to systemic change…so much so that I’m co-hosting a LinkedIn Live on this very topic on Tuesday.

Join Julie Kratz, founder of Next Pivot Point, and I for an upbeat conversation “Alive and Well: A DEI Double Feature.” Despite what the headlines say, I’m as optimistic as ever. I hope you’ll join us as we discuss why!

This Week’s Good Vibes:

  1. The North Face UK Incentivizes Customers to Learn About Race

  2. Land O’ Lakes Makes Life Easier for Caregivers

  3. Norway's Sovereign Wealth Fund Requires Gender Diversity

  4. Cole Brauer Sails Around the World

  5. The Philadelphia Eagles Partner with Popcorn for The People

This Week’s Call to Action:

It’s Ramadan! I found this article by Sharanika Akter, A Ramadan Guide for Your Workplace, helpful, and full of great tips for everyone.

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Bernadette Smith Bernadette Smith

5 Things / Outside of HR

It’s a huge advantage when DEI is not part of Human Resources.

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Last year we had a client choose not to renew their contract with us because DEI lived in Human Resources, had no protected budget, and they “had to prioritize employee salaries.” Well, when you put it that way…

I recently caught up with someone I’ve known for years now. Six months into their new role as VP of DEI, they were positively giddy about the amount of support they had. They report to the CDO who reports to the CEO. While they have to take baby steps, they’re accomplishing a lot.

As this person shared with me, it’s a huge advantage when DEI is not part of Human Resources. Not only is their budget protected, but they’re able to think strategically about the way DEI fits into other business objectives. With a near direct line to the CEO, they’re in a position to keep forward momentum.

That’s how you do it (and ICYMI my book and our DEI consulting methodology is called Inclusive 360 for that very reason!)

This Week’s Good Vibes:

  1. Charlotte Tilbury Promotes Women in Motorsports

  2. Walmart Creates a Pipeline for AI Talent

  3. Unilever Hires People With Disabilities Behind the Camera

    • Last year, Unilever launched its "Believe in Talent" initiative, mandating disability representation behind the camera, and addressing a longstanding lack of diversity in advertising. With only 1% of ads featuring disabled individuals, Unilever's move aims to reshape industry norms by committing to hiring people with disabilities behind the camera on every ad over $107k. Unilever also developed an open-source toolkit for creating inclusive production spaces. It’s all part of Unilever's broader "Act 2 Unstereotype" initiative, driving structural changes in marketing to combat prejudice and promote diversity.

  4. Historic Donation to Albert Einstein College of Medicine

  5. New Jersey to Recognize LGBTQ+ Businesses

This Week’s Call to Action:

Learn about Nex Benedict, a nonbinary teen in Oklahoma who was bullied and beaten by classmates and later died. Oklahoma legislators are currently considering 54 anti-LGBTQ bills. It’s a really tough time to be a young trans person.

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Bernadette Smith Bernadette Smith

5 Things / Comms

How do you officially communicate to your internal and external stakeholders about topics like war, racism, anti-LGBTQ legislation, disability access, and more?

My guest on 5 Things in 15 Minutes this week is Catharine Montgomery, whose consultancy focuses specifically on “using communications to achieve equity.” I’m so excited for this conversation, especially when the headlines urge us to believe that DEI is under attack.

How do you officially communicate to your internal and external stakeholders about topics like war, racism, anti-LGBTQ legislation, disability access, and more? How do you communicate with substance in your messaging? How do organizations decide when to take a stand, and how to do so without being accused of performativity? And how do you do it all using the right language, the most up-to-date terminology, without culturally appropriating anybody?

There’s a nuance to that work, and Catharine’s going to help us answer these questions and communicate with confidence and authenticity. I’m always still learning and often have more questions than answers, so I hope you’ll join me in learning together.

Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. Big Bonuses for Delta Employees

    Delta made headlines with a staggering $1.4 billion bonus for its employees, nearly doubling last year's payout. This move showcases the airline's commitment to sharing success and boosting morale. Delta's profit-sharing program aims to rectify injustices by distributing wealth more equitably among its workforce. Its consistent payouts reinforce its employee-centric approach and are a departure from the historical oppression and exploitation of workers in the industry.

  2. Four-Day Workweek Sticks

    The world's largest four-day workweek trial in the UK yielded lower stress and higher job satisfaction and initially stunned skeptics. A year later, over 60 companies continued to embrace the concept, with 89% of companies from the trial still operating over four days. Workers report improved well-being and work-life balance, while businesses enjoy increased revenue and retention rates. This is especially beneficial to the 73% of the workforce that are caregivers. We’ll see if the four-day week continues to gain traction – and if it does, you can be sure to read about it right here in 5 Things!

  3. Breaking Barriers in Whiskey

    Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, founded by CEO Fawn Weaver, became the top-selling Black-owned spirits brand globally. With a valuation of $900 million, it's led by a Black woman in an industry dominated by white men. Named after the first-known African American master distiller, Nearest Green, the brand emphasizes long-term legacy over short-term gains. Weaver's vision aims for permanence, challenging the trend of Black-owned brands being acquired by white-owned companies. Fawn is an inspiration and sets a precedent for future generations.

  4. Churches Teach Black History in Florida

    In defiance of Florida's restrictive education laws, nearly 300 churches are spearheading Black history lessons. Led by Faith in Florida, this grassroots initiative combats Governor Ron DeSantis' push to limit race-inclusive education. Through an online toolkit, churches offer resources ranging from books to documentaries, preserving Black heritage and countering erasure. This movement revives a tradition of social justice activism within the Black church, empowering individuals to grasp their legacy and celebrate their history. There will always be creative resilience in the face of systemic oppression.

  5. Starbucks Re-Designs Store for Inclusion

    Starbucks rolls out a fresh store design prioritizing accessibility and inclusion. The inaugural site in D.C.'s Union Market boasts power-operated doors, lowered counters for wheelchair users, and voice-assist checkout. A revamped brewing system offers tactile feedback for employees’ easier use. Digital boards update customers on order status, while improved lighting and insulation enhance ambiance and reduce noise. Starbucks worked with customers, employees, and accessibility experts to develop the so-called Inclusive Spaces Framework. The guidelines will be open-sourced and continue to evolve to further expand accessibility in the retail sector, and other Starbucks locations. Remember, all of this is good for everyone, not just those with disabilities. (h/t to Karen Catlin for this one)

This Week’s Call to Action:

If you have Paramount+ streaming, check out the TV show Bet on Black. It’s like Shark Tank but for Black entrepreneurs. Target is a big sponsor and one of their employees was a judge. The company that makes our client gifts competed in the most recent season…no major spoilers but they did quite well.

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Bernadette Smith Bernadette Smith

5 Things / Lead with Values

I recently met with a new client, an architecture firm with a vision to help communities build their future. A lot of their work is in historical preservation. In our meeting, the President shared, “When we see an old building, we don’t want to make assumptions about what’s possible.”

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I recently met with a new client, an architecture firm with a vision to help communities build their future. A lot of their work is in historical preservation. In our meeting, the President shared, “When we see an old building, we don’t want to make assumptions about what’s possible.”

I lit up because it’s clear our values are aligned: they don’t make assumptions with buildings, so let’s certainly not do it with people. (Many of you have heard me speak about assumptions in my keynotes.)

DEI work should be connected to your organization’s values or guiding principles. Doing so makes it easier to get stakeholder buy-in for your goals. It also makes it easier to respond to DEI resisters: we’re doing this initiative because (putting people first / valuing diversity / fill in the blank) is one of our values.

Always lead with your values. One of my firm’s values is “Be guided by optimism.” Can’t you tell?

  1. MLB’s First Woman Play-by-Play Announcer

    Jenny Cavnar makes history as the first woman to serve as a lead play-by-play announcer for a Major League Baseball club, the Oakland A's. With 18 years of broadcasting experience and accolades like five Emmy Awards, Cavnar's appointment marks a significant milestone for women in baseball. In 2018, she became the first woman in decades to broadcast MLB play-by-play. In a very male-dominated industry, this is a huge win for increased representation and diversity in broadcasting.

  2. Greece Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage and Adoption

    Greece legalized same-sex marriage, making it the first Christian Orthodox-majority nation to do so. The legislation, passed 176-76 in parliament, also permits adoption for same-sex couples. Despite opposition from the Orthodox Church, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis championed the law as a step towards ending inequality. This move aligns Greece with 15 other EU countries and 35 nations globally that recognize same-sex marriage. Remember, there are 195 countries, so I’ll be celebrating these wins for a while!

  3. Mamava's Lactation Pods Revolutionize Support for Nursing Parents

    Mamava, a company that developed lactation pods following the enactment of the PUMP Act, is experiencing a 30% growth in usage and now has 4000+ pods installed nationwide. Employers, including car dealerships like Fowler Automotive (in 11 states), are embracing these pods as essential amenities, and it’s helped increase employee diversity and retention. This creates a supportive environment for nursing parents and provides an oasis to pump in peace.

  4. Lyft Expands Pilot to Prioritize Safety and Inclusion

    After a successful pilot, with 67% of eligible drivers opting in, Lyft has nationally expanded its feature pairing women and non-binary riders with similar drivers. Only 23% of Lyft drivers are women, despite women constituting half of all riders. The goal is to create a win-win: attract more women and nonbinary Lyft drivers (who then have more earning power) by creating a more comfortable and secure environment for them by allowing riders to prioritize matches with others who share their gender identity. Both drivers and riders can turn on this setting to improve everyone’s comfort and safety.

  5. RIP Bob Moore

    Bob Moore, the founder of Bob’s Red Mill (which makes whole grain products), recently passed away at 94. In 2010, he established an employee stock ownership plan for his employees and the company remains 100% employee-owned (700+ employees). This is VERY rare! By doing so, Bob challenged traditional business models, setting a precedent for ethical leadership and social responsibility, and fostered a culture of collaboration and inclusivity. RIP, Bob.

This Week’s Call to Action

It’s Lunar New Year, the year of the Dragon! In Chicago, the big parade is today. Learn more about the tradition in this DEI Double Feature with Lisa Ong.

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