EQUITY TOOLKIT
Workplaces, committees, consortiums, and other groups and organizations make a big difference in promoting racial equity across our community. The more people encouraging each other to explore these important topics, the more likely we will be to truly address inequities.
Of course, these conversations may not be easy or occur spontaneously. The following materials are designed for individuals and organizations of all kinds to prompt thoughtful conversations.
Encouraging each other to explore the topics raised in the 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge can happen at any time, so Challenge organizers will keep these resources available for the foreseeable future.
RESOURCES FOR CONTINUING EQUITY CONVERSATIONS
Thank you for your interest in engaging in discussions about racial equity.
Whether you’re a CEO, Human Resources professional, or interested team member, you may need to convince others to embrace discussions of these emotional, sensitive, and important topics at work. The Harvard Business Review offers a compelling look at the events of 2020, and addresses head-on why businesses must take meaningful action against racism.
Research shows that how organizations respond to large-scale, diversity-related events that receive significant media attention can either help employees feel psychologically safe or contribute to racial identity threat and mistrust of institutions of authority.
– HBR, July 2020
How can you get started?
Check out these resources for priorities and best practices:
- Yes, You Must Talk About Race At Work: 3 Ways To Get Started - Forbes
- How to Begin Talking About Race in the Workplace - The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
- How to Host Meaningful DEI Conversations at Your Company - Greenhouse DE&I Council
- Creating a Safe Space at Work for Discussing Social Justice Topics - Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)
PROMPTING EQUITY CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHERS
The materials and resources available through Western New York's 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge can be used as conversation-starters for book clubs, study groups, professional associations, faith-based groups, and other types of organizations.
The following resources may be useful for those hosting these conversations with peer groups, friends, and family:
- The 21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge Discussion Guide For Groups - University of New Hampshire Sustainability Institute
- How to Have a Respectful Conversation About Racial Justice - AARP
- The 10 Rs of Talking About Race: How to Have Meaningful Conversations - Net Impact
- Race at Work - Harvard Business Review
CHALLENGE INFO
Check out these resources to participate:
- 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge Partner Overview
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Sample Email for Staff
- Sharable Graphics (link to Google Drive folder)