Written by: Dr Lisa T. Lewis, Diversity Equity And Inclusion Panel
Spoiler alert, someone must be the first. However, humanity must abolish the "first" and "only" mentality and culture to fully embrace and execute authentic diversity, equity, and inclusion. Public, private, and academic sectors should look like the world, i.e., united nations. Everyone is present and not just 'represented.'
Kamala Harris is the first female vice president, the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history, and the first African American and first Asian American vice president.
Kentanji Brown Jackson is the first African American female U.S. Supreme Court nominee.
Barak Obama is the first African American President in U.S. history.
Maya Angelou is the first African American woman featured on the 25-cent coin. She is also the first African American and woman to recite a poem at the inauguration of a U.S. President - " On the Pulse of Morning " for Bill Clinton
Shonda Rhimes is an American television writer, showrunner, producer, and director and the first African American woman to create and executive produce a Top 10 network series—Grey's Anatomy. She is also the producer of the wildly famous "Bridgerton," a modern twist on Jane Austen-style historical romance.
The modern twist is the inclusion and portrayal of diversity, people in leadership, economic status, cultural backgrounds, etc. The series doesn't present the characters as "firsts" and "onlies" but as the world should be. That's what I like to call the 'Bridgerton Effect.'
There was no clarifying statement of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); there was action and display. The five lessons I've learned from the series and my DEI work that can help each of us do our part to advance the DEI cause and see the return on the investment:
Start with self. Learn about yourself and your unconscious bias, discrimination, weak points, etc. Unconscious because we don't realize we have them. There is an online test that I've taken and recommend to anyone willing to listen https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/. This test will help identify your bias and help you learn how to deal with them.
Be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Organic and open conversation about complex subjects and culture change is challenging. Change and growth involve a level of comfortability to occupy new space—all involved need to be professional, respectful, and curious.
Be accountable. In the workforce, promote DEI by identifying, recognizing, and eradicating hate in all its forms. Offensive symbols and behaviors that hinder an organization's cohesion, core values, and camaraderie must be addressed directly—no backroom deals.
Take action. Annually my organization requires its employees to take bystander intervention training. The training teaches and encourages us to take action against inappropriate behavior in the workplace. Don't turn a blind eye or deaf ear. If we see or hear something inappropriate, report it immediately. Offer training so that everyone is learning how to facilitate a DEI environment simultaneously.
Mentor. Mentorship can work both ways. You can mentor someone but also be a mentee. Our world widens as we encompass knowledge of different perspectives. We learn to respect other peoples' views. We listen to what motivates their behavior.
Just as a University brings diverse subjects and fields under a unified umbrella of study, putting into practice the above lessons learned, we weave the threads of Unity into a more extraordinary whole world view. We become a collector of diverse ideas and see the unified line throughout all of humanity. We all want to live and take care of our families.
When DEI is a verb and not a noun, we look like Bridgerton in life and the workforce. We are all invited into the room to sit at the table, speak, and be heard. First and onlies are abolished, while 'we' becomes the norm.
Dr Lisa T. Lewis, Diversity Equity And Inclusion Panel
Dr Lisa T. Lewis is The Belief System (B.S.) Boss®. She teaches career-minded single mothers how to provide abundantly for their families and still achieve their love and money goals, guilt-free and stress-free through her “B.S.” (Belief System) training. A certified John Maxwell Team Coach, TEDx Talk-International Speaker, Clergy, and best-selling author. Her next book, Single Moms Guide to Love and Money: Five Keys to Unlock Both, will be released in early 2022. She has been advocating for women and single mothers since 1989 when she joined the inaugural Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory Committee at the federal agency where she was employed. She currently serves on the new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council still in the public sector.
