Giving Compass' Take:

• Here are six leaders who are committed to diversity and provide insight into how they are building a culture of inclusion in the workplace. 

• How can philanthropists help implement inclusion initiatives in the workplace? How can CSR programs prioritize and elevate diversity programs? 

• Read why diversity and inclusion is the new advocacy. 

Our country has a huge issue with systemic racism, and it has been swept under the rug for far too long. This toxic problem has permeated pretty much every single aspect of life, but it is notably present in the workplace, along with other forms of discrimination. Research from McKinsey showed that ethnic and racial minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals and women were less likely to pursue a job opportunity because they didn’t feel the company was inclusive enough. These populations have also experienced more microaggressions while at work. In addition, white people still dominate positions of leadership and get paid more, on average. For example, the average hourly wage for Black people is $21.05. For white people, it’s $28.66—a startling 27% difference.

This is just the tip of the inequality iceberg, and there is, unfortunately, much more where that came from. Transforming our workplaces won’t be easy, but we desperately need change. Frankly, we needed it decades ago. And for this to occur, for us to be able to break down the complex webs of structural oppression, we need to start at the top.Leaders have a responsibility to create a culture in which every single person has equal access to opportunity and feels wholly accepted and celebrated for exactly who they are.

I asked six incredible leaders, all of whom have been committed to diversity for some time, what they’ve been doing to create even more inclusive environments in 2020. Here’s what they had to say.

  1. Centering A Company Objective Around Diversity And Inclusion
  2. Making Inclusion More Than Just Rhetoric
  3. Increasing And Prioritizing Diversity In The Hiring Process
  4. Creating Opportunities For The Communities They Serve
  5. Getting The Whole Team Involved
  6. Learning By Doing

Read the full article about creating inclusive cultures by Laura Garnett at Forbes.