Shows
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIRebroadcast: Service with Erica VogelIn honor of Trans Day of Visibility, we’re re-broadcasting this episode with Erica from October 8, 2024. Erica Vogel, Author: Advice from Your Trans Aunty, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about women leading in the NFL, voting rights never going out of style, and, of course, legacy privilege getting the boot. Here are this week's good vibes:Levi's: Voting Rights Never Go Out of StyleWomen Leading NFL—And Winning!Bye-Bye, Legacy Privilege!BoA Boosts Teller PayOuting Isn’t an Option AnymoreGood Vibes to Go: ...2025-04-0120 min
Biz Book Pub Hub PodcastHUB 432: AUTHOR PANEL - Bernadette Smith, Greg Davis, and Marcia DawoodEver feel like your book will never be finished? You’re not alone. Every author hits that point when they doubt, question, and even want to give up. But pushing through those moments is what separates a dream from reality.Once your book is done, a whole new journey begins: publishing and sharing your message with the world. And this journey doesn’t have to be one you take alone. The right strategies, partnerships, and community support can make all the difference in turning your book into a tool that amplifies your business impact.2025-04-0141 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIAbsurdity with Daniel DownerDaniel Downer (he/him), Senior Facilitator with Equality Institute, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Planet Fitness flexing compassion, Sweetgreen serving up support, rides, roofs, and relief for evacuees, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:Planet Fitness Steps Up ReliefSweetgreen Serves Up SupportRides and Roofs for EvacueesEven More EqualityGrindr Builds FamiliesGood Vibes to Go: Bernadette’s GVTG: For those who enjoy standup, check out Michelle Buteau’s latest Netflix special, filmed at Radio City Music Hall…she’s the fir...2025-01-1421 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIRebroadcast: Recovery with Rex WildeRex Wilde, LGBTQ+ educator, speaker, and consultant, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about anti-racist layoffs, disabled models and designers, and more!There was a recurring theme this week in my conversations with clients: how to recover after you’ve been called out or accidentally offended someone. Here’s the short answer: don't get dramatic. Apologize sincerely once without diminishing their experience. If you’re corrected, say thanks. Educate yourself, rather than asking them, so you can do better next time.During an in-per...2024-11-2617 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIManaging Distrust with Dr. Marla Corson, Ph.D., CSPDr. Marla Corson, Ph.D., CSP, (she/her), Founder of Corson Consulting, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about what to do when people on your team feel psychologically unsafe and don’t trust leadership after the election results. We’ll also talk about some historic firsts: double the power with Rochester and Alsobrooks, McBride shattering ceilings, Kim’s Senate milestone, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:Double the Power with Rochester and AlsobrooksMcBride Shatters Glass Ceilings in CongressEmily Randall’s Triple FirstsKim...2024-11-1224 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEI(Over) Sharing with Vivian AcquahVivian Acquah (she/her, Certified DEI Trainer and Coach and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week we’re talking about Spotify's remote work win, Jessica Campbell smashing NHL barriers, changing tables changing lives, and more! Here are this week's good vibes:Student Loans Benefit Rolls outFlying High on Inclusivity!Changing the Game with Changing Tables!Jessica Campbell Breaks the IceSpotify’s ‘Work From Anywhere’ Stays!Good Vibes to Go: From Bernadette: It’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month! Check out this article from the World Economic For...2024-10-1522 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIService with Erica VogelErica Vogel, Author: Advice from Your Trans Aunty, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about women leading in the NFL, voting rights never going out of style, and, of course, legacy privilege getting the boot. Here are this week's good vibes:Levi's: Voting Rights Never Go Out of StyleWomen Leading NFL—And Winning!Bye-Bye, Legacy Privilege!BoA Boosts Teller PayOuting Isn’t an Option AnymoreGood Vibes to Go: There are a number of Jewish holidays coming up – and Rosh Hoshana just wra...2024-10-0820 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEICruising with Michael IannelliMichael Iannelli (he/him), Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer of Ablr, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about BSL at Nissan, baby-wearing statues in the UK, unplugged Australians, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:Permission for Australians to UnplugLondon Statues Now Include Baby-WearersConnecticut Claps-Back to FloridaBoA’s Crisis SupportNissan Employees Learn BSLThis week's Call to Action:Is your organization’s website fully accessible? I know ours isn’t fully there – but we’re working on it…connect with Ablr to get...2024-09-2524 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIHang On with Chris SimmonsChris Simmons (he/him), Trailblazing Diversity Leader, Author & Keynote Speaker, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes! This week our conversation is about neurodivergent inclusion at EY, a more accessible Yelp, Harry Potter, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:Yelp Expands Accessibility FeaturesDon’t Tell J.K. RowlingEY Sees Success with Neurodivergent InclusionNon-Binary Runners to Earn Prize MoneyNew Monuments Pay Tribute to Black WomenThis week's Call to Action:Read my friend Julie Kratz’s article in Forbes: How PWC Measures the Impact of Inclusion.2024-09-1024 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIJoy with Karl DunnKarl Dunn (he/him), Author of How to Burn a Rainbow, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about up-front tuition funding, increased safety for women travelers in India, Pottery Barn’s latest collection, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:DNC Showcases Diverse-Owned Businesses at Vendor FairPottery Barn Expands Accessible ProductsIndiGo Airlines Improves Safety for WomenStress Relief for NYC Transit WorkersTrane Offers Up-Front Funding for TuitionThis week's Call to Action:Read this great article by Tom Geraghty: Psychological safety sh...2024-08-2724 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIHolding Space with Jay Baez-Sanchez & Anthony PapiniJay Baez-Sanchez (she/her), DEI Enthusiast, and Anthony Papini (he/him), Director of DEI at ActiveCampaign and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about the first Black African to win a Tour de France stage, Barbie’s new dolls, inclusion at the Emmy awards, and more! We’ll also be talking about the development of ActiveCampaign’s new Junior Platform Certification Program.Here are this week's good vibes:Biniam Girmay Wins Tour de France StageBarbie’s New Inclusive DollsIndigenous Actresses Get Emmy NomsTrack and Field Gold Med...2024-07-3027 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIManaging Yourself with Deidra GreenDeidra Green (she/her), Director of DEI at European Wax Center recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about a new dub of the Avengers movie, Ben & Jerry’s new ad campaign, trans representation at the Olympics, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:The Avengers to be Dubbed in LakotaBen & Jerry’s Urges ActivismNikki Hiltz, a Trans Non-Binary Runner, Heads to the OlympicsMinnesota is Stepping Up Its Inclusivity GameMore ERG Leads Get CompensatedThis week's Call to Action:Lily Zheng has released a ne...2024-07-1622 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIExpress Yourself with Risha GrantRisha Grant (she/her), The BS Finder, International Speaker & Bestselling Author and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Disney’s new ride, a historic pardon, and inclusion at the Tokyo Marathon, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:Tokyo Marathon Adds Non-Binary CategoryTiana’s Bayou Adventure Opens at DisneyChristopher Street Station Gets RenamedPresident Biden Pardons Thousands of Gay MenAnthropologie Launches Adaptive ApparelThis week's Call to Action:Watch Origin, Ava Du Vernay’s latest film. It’s now on Hulu and “exp...2024-07-0221 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIGayborhood with Kit LimHere are this week's good vibes:Happier Employees = Lower Turnover at IKEAThailand Approves Marriage EqualityRecord Employment for People With DisabilitiesDoris Burke Calls NBA FinalsMiss Maryland USA Breaks BarriersCall to Action:Too hot out there? Stay cool inside and check out these movies by and about trans people to watch this Pride monthRead the stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-gayborhoodConnect with Kit Lim (she/her), DEI leader and coach.
Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes in DEI ev...2024-06-2522 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEITrojan Horse with David SmithHere are this week's good vibes:Scholastic Publishes Pride Guide Claudia Sheinbaum Breaks Glass Ceiling in MexicoPlanet Fitness Affirms Trans InclusionFIFA and Citigroup Expand Parental LeaveThis week's Call to Action:GRACE is a transgender-led national nonprofit organization that’s creating videos featuring conservative and center-right parents standing up for their trans children. Watch and share this first video of Eric Childs, Operation Iraqi Freedom combat Veteran – and father to a transgender teenager. He also happens to have conservative values. Read this week’s stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-trojan-horseConnect...2024-06-1122 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEICringe with Denise WellsHere are this week's good vibes:Trans Woman Awarded Best Actress at CannesMelinda French Gates Pledges $1B for WomenMajor Accessibility Updates Coming to AirportsMLB Adds Negro League StatsBoston University Renames DormThis week's Call to Action:It’s LGBTQ+ Pride Month! Remember, Pride started as an act of rebellion, and Pride parades are still forms of protest in many places. Learn about Pride around the world through Outright International. You can learn about how Pride was celebrated in 100 countries last year and some background information on the status of LGBTQ+ inclusion in those countries....2024-06-0422 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIRebroadcast: Ageist with Dr. Therese (Waltz) CanaresThis Week's Good Vibes:‘Sesame Street’ Introduces TJ, the Show’s First Filipino American MuppetFDA Paves Way for More Gay and Bisexual Men to Donate Blood With New Risk-Based AssessmentDartmouth Health on How to Reduce Hiring Bias, the Power of DEIB StatementsAirbnb Let Its Workers Live and Work Anywhere. Spoiler: They’re Loving ItFor Kids, Going Under Anesthesia Can Be Scary. This Nurse Made a Video Game to Ease FearsCall to Action:Watch this PBS Special “Rising Against Asian Hate” narrated by the fabulous Sandra Oh. The special “sheds light on the struggles, triumphs, and achievemen...2024-05-2822 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIKaren with Lisa Flick WilsonHere are this week's good vibes:SFMOMA’s New Exhibit Celebrates InclusionKaylynne Truong Becomes the First Vietnamese Athlete in the WNBAFrontier Co-Op’s Values-Driven ApproachLiechtenstein Passes Marriage EqualityApple Products Grow More AccessibleConnect with Bernadette: www.BernadetteSmith.comRead the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-karenThe first 5 Good Vibes podcast subscribers who mention the podcast in their outreach to Lisa Flick at the Radical Optimist Collective will get 20% off an immersive learning journey supported by our team in Montgomery as part of our work with Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy sites. Email...2024-05-2121 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIReconnecting with Lisa DemmiHere are this week's good vibes:WNBA Players to Fly Charter FlightsAmerican Cancer Society to Study Black WomenJapan Airlines’ New CEO is a WomanSesame Place Is More Inclusive of NeurodivergenceKate Spade Promotes Mental Health AwarenessThis week's Call to Action:Speaking of mental health awareness, I’ve developed a “bag of tricks” to manage my own in times of acute stress. Here are some great quick tips I learned from Ana Del Castillo that you can try in-the-moment: 6 Ways to Regulate Your Systemhttps://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-reconnectingConnect with Lisa Dem...2024-05-1421 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIThe Belonging Buzzword with Karmen SmithHere are this week's good vibes:Title IX Protections More InclusivePotawatomi Nation Reclaims Ancestral LandJohn Lewis Partnership Publishes Interview Questions OnlineUnited Methodist Church Lifts LGBTQ BansOpting Out of Mother’s DayThis week's Call to Action:Speaking of belonging, my friend Rhodes Perry, author of Imagine Belonging, is hosting The Belonging Circle: A Gathering for Inclusive Leaders, Visionaries, and Changemakers on June 6. Learn more and register here.Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-the-belonging-buzzwordConnect with Karmen Smith: https://www.karmenmichael.com/
Join thousands of readers by subscribing to th...2024-05-0722 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIUnique Wisdom with Joel Davis BrownHere are this week's good vibes:PBS Kids Adds ASL to Six ShowsDelta Continues to Invest in EmployeesKorean Company Uses Korean NamesRetail/Grocery Employees to Have More ProtectionsDell Sees ERG SuccessThis week's Call to Action: Join my next DEI Double Feature: The Belonging Buzzword. I’m hosting it with Michelle Silverthorn on May 8 and you can join right here! Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-unique-wisdom Connect with Joel Davis Brown: https://joeldavisbrown.com/
Jo...2024-04-3020 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEII Lied with Daniel DownerHere are this week's good vibes:Singapore Enshrines Flexible Work in LawAllstate Managers Get Connections BudgetAshley for State Rep!NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Sets RecordsWisconsin Includes Asian American HistoryThis week's Call to Action:Read this article in HBR by Lily Zheng: What Needs to Change About DEI — and What Doesn’t.Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-i-lied
Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes in DEI every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/2024-04-2326 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIGratitude with Anne BonneyHere are this week's good vibes:USCIS Now Offers Gender XShift from Autism Awareness to AcceptanceFirst Arab Woman Graduates from NASA Innovative Trans Employment ProjectFirst Watch Employees Get Caregiver BenefitsThis week's Call to Action:Book recommendation time! Check out The Boldly Inclusive Leader by my friend Minette Norman. There are some great stories in this book that illustrate principles of inclusive leadership. Minette has seen A LOT!Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-gratitudeConnect with Anne Bonney: www.yourchangespeaker.com/
Join thousands of readers b...2024-04-1020 min
Girl, Take the Lead!147. A Diversity Journey: From 'I Do' to Inclusion, A Conversation with Bernadette SmithBernadette Smith, Gen X, joins Yo to talk about her
book, 'Inclusive 360: Proven Solutions for an Equitable Organization' and provides rich insights into Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). In addition to being an award-winning author of four books and diversity expert, Bernadette is founder and CEO of Equality Institute.
The Equality Institute’s mission is to help organizations fulfill the promise of diversity by embedding equity and inclusion into organizational systems and culture, enhancing outcomes for everyone. Their vision is for a world where every human feels safe to express their authentic selves.
Equality Institute is a certified wo...2024-04-0230 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIGood Trouble with Julie Pham, PhDHere are this week's good vibes:LGBTQ+ Inclusive Curriculum in WashingtonBig ROI on Child Care Benefits“Hop” Showcases Authentic Disability RepresentationFederal Forms to be Updated for Better RepresentationYurok Becomes First Tribal Nation to Co-manage LandThis week's Call to Action:March 31 is Transgender Day of Visibility. My good friend Rhodes Perry created a checklist on how to show up for your TGX (transgender and gender expansive) colleagues. It’s a great personal and professional resource. Read the stores:https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-good-troubleConnect with Julie Pham: https://curiosi...2024-04-0220 min
The Culture Coach#049: Inclusivity and the ARC Model with Bernadette SmithSend us a textThis episode features a conversation on Inclusivity, the "I" in my THRIVE Culture framework that I use to work with non-profit and small business CEOs to create an environment where their employees can thrive.My guest today is an author, podcast host, and CEO, dedicated to shining a light on DEI through various mediums. Bernadette Smith is Founder and CEO of the Equality Institute and an award-winning author of four books, including her latest, the bestseller Inclusive 360: Proven Solutions for an Equitable Organization. Here are my top t...2024-03-2925 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIWatched with Naeema ArrastiaHere are this week's good vibes:Women’s Hockey Continues to Set RecordsMalcolm X Gets His Recognition in NebraskaFour-Day Workweeks in France and GermanyTo Increase Diversity, Hire DifferentlyStolen Artifacts Returned to JapanThis week's Call to Action:If you like 5 Things, then check out “5 Ally Actions”, Karen Catlin’s weekly newsletter that’s been around for 6 years! Subscribe here to get “5 everyday actions to create a more inclusive workplace.”Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-watchedConnect with Naeema Arrastia on LinkedIn and visit Red Rabbit.
Join thousands...2024-03-2621 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEICode Switching with Latia VaughanHere are this week's good vibes:Racial Diversity Leaders to Higher Box Office ROITyson to Hire 42,000 MigrantsWalmart Teaches CompassionInclusive Bridal DressesIt’s OK to Say GayThis 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. Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-code-switchingConnect with Latia Vaughan: https://www.latiavaughan.com
Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things ne...2024-03-1924 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIDoubling Down with Bryan SamuelHere are this week's good vibes:The North Face Incentivizes Customers to Learn About RaceLand O’ Lakes Makes Life Easier for CaregiversNorway's Sovereign Wealth Fund Requires Gender DiversityCole Brauer Sails Around the WorldThe Philadelphia Eagles Partner with Popcorn for The PeopleThis 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. Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-doubling-downConnect with Bryan Samuel and www.findingmyself.org
Join thous...2024-03-1222 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIOutside of HR with Lisa MulliganHere are this week's good vibes:Walmart Creates a Pipeline for AI TalentCharlotte Tilbury Promotes Women in MotorsportsNew Jersey to Recognize LGBTQ+ BusinessesUnilever Hires People With Disabilities Behind the CameraHistoric Donation to Albert Einstein College of MedicineThis week's Call to Action:Learn about Nex Benedict, the non-binary 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. R...2024-03-0519 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIComms with Catharine MontgomeryCatharine Montgomery, the founder and CEO of the social-impact-focused communications agency, Better Together and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. Here are this week's good vibes:Big Bonuses for Delta EmployeesStarbucks Re-Designs Store for InclusionBreaking Barriers in WhiskeyChurches Teach Black History in FloridaFour-Day Workweek SticksThis 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 tha...2024-02-2720 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEILead with Values with Michael NeeceThis week our conversation is about same-sex marriage and adoption in Greece, lactation pods, employee stock ownership, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:MLB’s First Woman Play-by-Play AnnouncerGreece Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage and AdoptionMamava's Lactation Pods Revolutionize Support for Nursing ParentsLyft Expands Pilot to Prioritize Safety and InclusionRIP Bob MooreThis 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 t...2024-02-2021 min
Dancing in the Discomfort Zone with Anne BonneyBernadette Smith, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Authority, Speaker, Author and ConsultantDid you know that organizations with more women and people of color can have up to 30% more profits? Did you know that more inclusive workplaces have increased employee engagement and retention? Bottom line aside, the world is a better place when we can create equality, inclusion and belonging, so this week I've invited DEI speaker and consultant Bernadette Smith (www.BernadetteSmith.com) to demystify DEI for us! In this we talk aboutWhat happens when we mess it up! (because we will!)How to communicate about DEI issuesThe huge role that curiosity pla...2024-02-1940 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIFast Car with Brenda HarringtonBrenda Harrington, PCC (she/her), founder of Adaptive Leadership Strategies LLC, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI). This week our conversation is about the 49ers Black Excellence Collection, Lyft’s commitment to driver pay, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:49ERS Launch Black Excellence CollectionPoker Power for Women+Lyft Takes Care of Its Driversm.m.lafleur Dresses Women CandidatesApple to Achieve Gender Balance on Its BoardThis week's Call to Action:It’s Black History Month! Support small businesses with this list of 21 Businesses Owned by Black Wome...2024-02-1321 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIFlow State with Andres SigchaAndres Sigcha, Founder & CEO of Tariy.ai recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about DEI metrics in performance reviews, autism-friendly airports, skills-based hiring, and more! Here are this week's good vibes:Hitachi adds DEI metrics to performance reviewsJFK and other airports become more autism-friendlyMassachusetts moves to skills-based hiringWalmart invests in its managers, againMark Cuban doubles down on support for DEIThis week's Call to Action:It’s Black History Month! In the spirit of intersectionality, here’s a list of 12 Black queer books and 2...2024-02-0621 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIAccountability with Rubén Alejandro RamírezRubén Alejandro Ramírez, Group Head Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Syngenta Group and I will recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Apple podcasts becoming more accessible, psychedelics, DEI jobs, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:JPMorgan fully committed to DEIBillionaire couple gifts $100 million to Spelman CollegeDEI jobs alive and wellMore employers offering psychedelic-assisted psychotherapyMore accessible Apple podcastsThis week's Call to Action:Ready to do the work? Check out the book Reconstructing DEI: A Practitioner's Workbook by Lily Zheng to...2024-01-3024 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEICompañeros with Jason BenitezHere are this week's good vibes:Walmart to increase pay for store managersPhiladelphia becomes first sensory-inclusive city in the U.S.Jerod Mayo hired as New England Patriots coachBIPOC folks win big at Emmy’s321 Coffee shows an inclusive business modelThis week's Call to Action:Do you crave Girl Scout cookies but struggle to find them for sale where you live? No worries! Check out this list of scouts who happen to be trans girls and will ship cookies wherever you are! The list was curated by Erin Reed.Read the Stories: ht...2024-01-2323 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIFinding Joy with Kim ClarkHere are this week's good vibes:Aviva CEO to sign-off on all “non-diverse hires”Irish dancing community shows trans supportFormerly incarcerated people get instant voting access in MichiganInclusive customer service at SephoraSouthwest praised for 'customer of size' policy that gives larger passengers priorityThis week's call to action: Read this important article in Forbes by Janice Gassam Asare: Claudine Gay Resigns From Harvard: Why Black Excellence Is Never Enough.Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/finding-joyConnect with Kim Clark: https://www.kimclarkcommunications.com/ and check out her course: https://www.kimc...2024-01-0923 min
Lets Have This ConversationBernadette Smith Helps Organizations to integrate Equity & inclusion Principles
As a leader in an organization, your
dedication to excellence will determine your equitable standing among both
internal and external stakeholders. It will show how seriously you take
learning, growing, and prospering as someone in power. Having a diverse
workforce leads to happier and healthier employees, more respected customers,
and better access to the required talent and skillsets for an organization to
succeed. A study conducted by the Harvard Business Review found that companies
with diverse teams had a 19% higher innovation revenue.
Bernadette Smith is an expert in helping
organizations integrate principles of e...2024-01-0937 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEICat Equity with Carlos HerreraHere are this week's good vibes:More states strive to make parks, trails accessibleDove and Open Source Afro Hair Library launch Code My CrownCompanies leading in disability inclusion outperform peersCompanies offer more generous bereavement leave in pandemic’s wake and expand who counts as ‘family’AI is helping new parents apply for paid leaveThis week's call to action: Listen to this interview with Better Allies’ Karen Catlin as she talks about inclusive holiday parties. It’s here on the Visible Voices podcast.Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-cat-equityConnect with Carlo...2024-01-0219 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIRebroadcast: The Sales Team with John AvilaHere are the good vibes I found this week:‘Peppa Pig’ Gets Its First Same-Sex Couple – Two Polar Bear MommiesA Swimming Cap Made for Black Hair Gets Official Approval After Previous Olympic BanThe Hubspot Culture Code: “Better to Try and Sometimes Fail Than to Sit Tight...and Fail for Sure.”U.S. Soccer Players Formally Sign Equal Pay AgreementsIf Your Family Makes Less Than $100,000 per Year, Princeton Will Cover All Your TuitionLearn more about John Avila here: https://www.avilacreativeinc.com/Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-the-sales-team
Join tho...2023-12-1215 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIFollow the ARC with Bill HendrixHere are this week's good vibes:NYC Worker Protections Grow With Rare Ban on Weight, Height BiasIncarcerated students earn degrees in groundbreaking US university programAt Malls Nationwide, Santa Goes Sensory-FriendlyAwards show de-genders category in honor of nonbinary icon Janelle MonáeComcast launches live video ASL interpretation at Philadelphia storesThis week's call to action: Watch this TEDx Talk on Uncovering Talent: The Power of Authenticity by Kenji Yoshino, NYU School of Law.Download the ARC Method: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/arc-method-1Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-follow-the-arcConnect w...2023-12-0519 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIRebroadcast: The DEI PSA with Toby MildonWhen I’m prepping for a keynote, I love to spend time talking to the client about their DEI goals and current state. Between all these conversations, research for 5 Things, and research for my book, Inclusive 360, I think I figured out the winning formula for meaningful DEI progress: Purpose + Strategy + Accountability (PSA). It sounds simple but we all know it’s not easy. Let me break it down:Purpose must be a people-first message that employees can rally around. Leaders should also share their own individual purposes.Strategy must be holistic and organization-wide, not simply workshops and c...2023-11-2817 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIRebroadcast: No Matter Why with Gearah GoldsteinIf you’re a long-time reader of 5 Things, you may have noticed that it doesn’t matter to me why an organization decides to “do the right thing” – to embed equity and inclusion into its systems as a way to accelerate the promises of diversity. I don’t care whether an organization is working on DEI initiatives because everyone else is because they see the promises of higher revenue because they want to reduce turnover, because they don’t want to be left in the dust, or because it’s just the right thing to do. I don’t care why Ha...2023-11-2124 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIOuch Moments with Kelvin GossHere Are This Week's Good Vibes:Achieving Gender Parity in M.B.A. ProgramsInclusivity Revamp by the American Ornithological SocietyNFL's Inclusive Fan Gear InitiativeSony's Accessible Gaming Controller LaunchBreaking Barriers: Admiral Lisa Franchetti's Historic AchievementCall to Action: In observation of Native American Heritage Month, this is an ideal moment to explore the ancestral histories of the land where you live. For instance, here in Chicago, I am privileged to live on the traditional homelands of multiple tribal nations, including the Kickapoo, Peoria, Kaskaskia, Potawatomi, Myaamia, and Ochethi Sakowin. You can look up the indigenous heritage of your a...2023-11-0821 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIConnection Matters with Michelle SilverthornHere Are This Week's Good Vibes:Walmart's Nationwide Doula Coverage to Tackle Healthcare DisparitiesCalifornia Enacts Groundbreaking Law for Diversity in Venture CapitalCharlottesville's Robert E. Lee Statue Transformed into Unity Art PieceChe Flores: Breaking Barriers as the NBA's First Nonbinary RefereeMorgan's Wonderland: A $6 Million Investment in Accessibility and JoyCall to Action: Read Levi Baer’s tips for “the subtle art of checking in” with the people on your team.Connect with Michelle and sign up here for her newsletter: https://www.michellesilverthorn.com/monday-mornings-with-michelleRead the full blog for this episode at TheEqualityInstitute.com2023-10-3119 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIWho Asks Who with Rhodes PerryHere Are This Week's Good Vibes:City of Boston Announces Gender Equity Updates to Marriage LicensesBank of America to Raise Minimum Wage to $23 an Hour in OctoberNetflix, Bollywood, and India’s Biggest Companies Take a Stand for LGBTQ InclusionEmpowering Black-Owned Businesses: Wayfair's Supplier Diversity InitiativeLyric Opera’s Soundshirt — A New Way Deaf, Hearing-Impaired Patrons Can Experience MusicCall to Action:Tune in to Diversity: Beyond The Checkbox hosted by Jackie Ferguson. Explore a world of diverse insights and perspectives shared by influential figures in the realms of business, executive education, and diversity & inclusion on this compel...2023-09-2622 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEILeast Interesting with Jennifer BrownHere Are This Week's Good Vibes:The Trans Handy Ma’amInclusive Tours at the Peggy Guggenheim CollectionHiring Refugees Is Good for People, Good for Business, Says Stickley CEOCompanies Offering To Pay For Abortion Travel See Uptick In RecruitmentPopcorn Stand at Lincoln Financial Field to Be Staffed by People With AutismLearn more about Jennifer at jenniferbrownconsulting.comRead the full blog for Least Interesting at theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog
Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes in DEI every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/2023-08-2925 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIAffirmative Action with Anthony PapiniHere Are This Week's Good Vibes:Duke University Offering Free Tuition For North And South Carolina Families Earning Below $150,000Estonia Becomes First Central European Country to Allow Same-Sex MarriageThe Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Is Now in EffectSephora Announces Newest Influencers To Support Diverse Voices In BeautyWimbledon Allows Dark Shorts to Ease Period Leakage WorriesCall to Action:My friend LaTonya Wilkins, author of Leading Below the Surface, has a new Leadership + Team Effectiveness Assessment™️, which you can preview here. LaTonya is one of the best people I know and this is a very cool new prod...2023-07-1128 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIPride & Joy with Nancy HarrisThis Week’s Good Vibes:The National Park Service (NPS) is working to incorporate more Black history into its storytelling about America. This includes considering the establishment of a Black Panther Party National Historical Park, and other new parks in locations related to civil rights, such as the 1964 murders of civil rights workers and the 1955 lynching of Emmett Till. The goal is to establish new national parks that facilitate conversations about race. I’m hopeful that all of these come to fruition so these stories continue to be heard and remembered. The North Face is fighting back against backl...2023-06-0618 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIPraise with Jessica BantomThis Week's Good Vibes:Apple Created Its New Voice Feature For—and With—People With ALSAutodesk Renames Its “Diversity and Inclusion” Team to the “Diversity and Belonging” TeamNew York City Passes Bill Banning Weight DiscriminationStarbucks’ New Gender-Inclusive Ad Starring Trans ModelCanada Labour Code to Ensure Access to Menstrual Products at Work Starting December 15Call to Action:Listen to this interview with Target CEO Brian Cornell on the Leadership Next Podcast. Spoiler alert: he’s a true believer in DEI.Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-patienceTo learn more about...2023-05-2322 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIAgeist with Dr. Therese (Waltz) CanaresThis Week's Good Vibes:‘Sesame Street’ Introduces TJ, the Show’s First Filipino American MuppetFDA Paves Way for More Gay and Bisexual Men to Donate Blood With New Risk-Based AssessmentDartmouth Health on How to Reduce Hiring Bias, the Power of DEIB StatementsAirbnb Let Its Workers Live and Work Anywhere. Spoiler: They’re Loving ItFor Kids, Going Under Anesthesia Can Be Scary. This Nurse Made a Video Game to Ease FearsCall to Action:Watch this PBS Special “Rising Against Asian Hate” narrated by the fabulous Sandra Oh. The special “sheds light on the struggles, triumphs, and achievemen...2023-05-1622 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIConnection First With Dr. Jen O’RyanThis Week's Good Vibes:To Celebrate Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, Mattel Is Introducing a Doll Based on Hollywood Pioneer Anna May WongBen & Jerry’s Co-founder Starts Cannabis Nonprofit to Support Social CausesMrBeast Calls Out Transphobic Backlash to Chris Tyson’s Hormone TherapySmartsheet Is Now Giving Logo Space to Various Nonprofit Organizations in F1 RacingDemocrat Angie Craig Has Joined Other Employers Rejecting the “Paper Ceiling” Blamed for Limiting Millions of WorkersCall to Action:I see everything as an experiment and have the sticker to go along with it, so I found this article interesting and a wo...2023-05-0923 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIThe Irish with Maui JonesHere are the good vibes I found this week:Critical Care Physician Creates Curly Hair Kits for PatientsAllstate Is Listening to EmployeesWalmart Has Designed Inclusive Uniforms for WorkersGov. Whitmer Signs Bill Expanding Michigan Civil Rights Law to Include LGBTQ ProtectionsNew VA Mission Statement Recognizes Sacred Commitment to All Veterans, Their Families, Caregivers, and SurvivorsCall to Action:Ramadan begins on Wednesday. Check out these tips from Yasar Ahmed on how non-Muslims can be allies this Ramadan.Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-the-irish
Join thousands of...2023-03-2118 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIThe Blind Guy with John SamuelHere are the good vibes I found this week:New Lego Sets Feature Characters With A Range Of DisabilitiesMinnesota Governor Signs Order Protecting Access to Gender-Affirming Health CareHow IKEA Retail Reached Gender Balance Globally For Leadership RolesQVC Boosts Adaptive, Accessible Product OfferingsBiden’s Dei Executive Order Mandates That Each Government Agency Create an “Equity Team” and Also Establishes a DEI Steering CommitteeRead the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-the-blind-guyTo learn more about John and his book - Don’t Ask the Blind Guy, visit: https://www.johngsamuel.com/book/
Joi...2023-03-1417 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEIAnd Other S#*T with Veronica S. SmithHere are the good vibes I found this week:Rei Co-op Asks Suppliers to up their Inclusivity GameMajor Companies Are Using AI to Avoid Bias and Cliches in AdvertisingSupporters Rally Around Trans Activist in Hershey’s Women’s Day CampaignNordstrom Teams With The Folklore Group to Grow Black-owned BrandsGabrielle Union-Wade, Dwyane Wade Call for Black LGBTQ Community Support at Naacp Image AwardsRead the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-and-other-stTo learn more about Veronica, visit: https://www.data2insight.com/
Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Thin...2023-03-0724 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEISquare Holes with Rhonda PayneHere are the good vibes I found this week:The South Korean high court ruled that same-sex couples in the country are entitled to the same national health benefits as their opposite-sex counterparts.Emmy Award-winning costume designer and Beyonce’s former stylist Zerina Akers partnered with Barbie to create a collection of dolls that are icons of Black cultureHome Depot became the latest company with a major front-line workforce to increase its minimum wage to at least $15/hour.Seattle became the first U.S. city to ban caste discriminationAmazon Instant Video has just become the first streaming service to...2023-02-2827 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEI5 Things In 15 Minutes / TrustThis week I attended the 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer Executive Insights event. The Trust Barometer is an annual global trust and credibility study that measures trust across society. I’ve used their data in my work over the years so I was surprised to learn this year that the business was named as the most trusted institution. Business is trusted more than non-governmental organizations, the media, and the government – and the only of those institutions rated both ethical and competent. 55% of Americans trust businesses. And while this isn’t a large majority, overall, trust has increased across all demographics.The...2023-02-2117 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEI5 Things In 15 Minutes / Always IntersectionalThis week I spoke with a few clients to discuss the workshop series for 2023. What impressed me most was the care to ensure a variety of diverse identities were represented in the content and presenters. In fact, on one call, I was joined by leaders from the LGBTQ+, Women’s, and Black Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to discuss a series of workshops that thoughtfully included all identities.The Human Rights Campaign recently released their criteria for the 2023 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). Part of the revised criteria is about ensuring that employee training is intersectional. Intersectionality is a bi...2023-02-1517 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEI5 Things In 15 Minutes / Always AssumingI originally started this newsletter with a story about a mistaken assumption I made but my editor told me, “It comes across to me like you are downplaying biases… and I think this also shows your privilege that you don't have to deal with biased situations as others do.”I’m here for accountability. It’s my job to keep my team both diverse and psychologically safe where each person feels comfortable expressing constructive feedback directly to me. I’m always still learning – and yes, I still have mistaken assumptions. A few weeks ago, I had a sales con...2023-02-0718 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEI5 Things In 15 Minutes / The TechEarlier this week I was at the law firm Jenner & Block for an event. As I was attaching my lavalier mic, the tech said, referring to me, “she’s a pro [with the mic].” Seconds later, the tech came back and said, “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to assume your gender.” I responded with, “No worries! You guessed right. Thank you.”I found this whole exchange startling in a good way. I even told the story to the group, applauding the firm for giving all of their employees the tools to be LGBTQ-inclusive. I was so impressed b...2023-01-3117 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEI5 Things in 15 Minutes / Always EmpathyThis week I delivered a keynote and I had a question from a manager who was struggling with an employee who was disrupting the team with negativity and hate.I believe it always comes back to empathy, in this case, the manager having empathy for that employee. Whether we’re talking about conversations about politics or race, or whatever, inclusion always comes back to empathy. After all, I only know my lived experience, and it’s been full of privilege.My mom used to say, “You can't understand someone until you've walked a mile in their...2023-01-2416 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEI5 Things in 15 Minutes / The Year in Good VibesThis week I received a message from a former client: "Yippee for our marriages being codified into law!"Some of you may know that I spent years as a wedding planner with an LGBTQ+ specialty and a speaker on inclusion in that industry. I started that business in 2004. I was so young! It's been nearly 19 years since the first legal same-sex marriage licenses were issued in Massachusetts -- and only NOW are those marriages — and interracial marriages – codified into federal law, thanks to the Respect for Marriage Act. Those marriages were allowed due to Supreme Court decisions, whic...2022-12-2018 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEI5 Things in 15 Minutes / Not DEII had a conversation this week with a very kind senior DEI leader who wanted to help me help the company. They gave me some words to say that they thought might help get buy-in from the boss. This person encouraged me to pitch our Inclusive 360 Assessment as an “organizational improvement methodology”, not DEI. Our future work together as “change management”, not DEI.All of this is true because our assessment examines the systems for gaps in equity and inclusion. What it delivers is a roadmap for meaningful systemic change and organizational improvement. Not DEI. I’ve foun...2022-12-1323 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEI5 Things in 15 Minutes / Going FirstRecently, I’ve been thinking about the topic of vulnerability. We’ve been told that vulnerability in teams and in groups can unlock greatness. That it creates connection, establishes trust, and can lead to everyone doing their best work.Here’s the thing about vulnerability that I think gets forgotten: somebody has to go first.That's what's on my mind these days.Life can be intense. And it can be exhausting pretending it's not. It feels so much better to have people cheering us on.But somebody has to go first. Contin...2022-12-0616 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEI5 Things in 15 Minutes / RemembranceToday our Senior Consultant Patti Flynn is joining me as a guest writer. This week was (and still is through today) Trans Awareness Week. This week culminates in the Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR) tomorrow, on November 20th. TDOR was started in 1999 by a transgender advocate as a vigil to the memory of Rita Hester who was killed in anti-transgender violence. The somber nature of the end of the week stands in contrast to the prior 7 days when trans people (and cisgender allies) educate and take action. We bring attention to and lift up the work of t...2022-11-2917 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEI5 Things in 15 Minutes / 360A new study from Boston College and the Society of Human Resources Management tells us that 65% of organizations believe DEI is important, yet 63% give little to no resources to DEI. This doesn’t surprise me. In my conversations with organizations, I find many who see DEI as an HR or L&D initiative. In other words, recruitment, and training. There are many DEI actions that can be taken that cost minimal external resources, such as policy changes and building inclusion nudges into process documentation. I’m a big believer in the 360 approach – beyond HR and L&D, which i...2022-11-0815 min5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEI5 Things in 15 Minutes / The DEI PSAWhen I’m prepping for a keynote, I love to spend time talking to the client about their DEI goals and current state. Between all these conversations, research for 5 Things, and research for my book, Inclusive 360, I think I figured out the winning formula for meaningful DEI progress: Purpose + Strategy + Accountability (PSA). It sounds simple but we all know it’s not easy. Let me break it down:Purpose must be a people-first message that employees can rally around. Leaders should also share their own individual purposes.Strategy must be holistic and organization-wide, not simply workshops and c...2022-11-0117 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEI5 Things in 15 Minutes / Justice SotomayorThis week my partner and I went to seeU.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor talk in Chicago. She answered most of her questions while walking through the audience, shaking hands, and signing books. The Justice approaches her work with an amazing amount of grace and gentleness and sees her greatest work as being a trailblazer for others. She’s written three children’s books and dedicates an astounding amount of time to speak with young people.At no point were the words, “diversity, equity, and inclusion” spoken, but Justice Sotomayor shared some lessons that resonated with me as un...2022-10-2520 min
Crafty Hands Club MagazineWhy Building An Inclusive Culture is ImportantBernadette Smith is founder and CEO of Equality Institute and award-winning author of four books. Her fourth book is Inclusive 360: Proven Solutions for an Equitable Organization.
Bernadette has presented to enthusiastic audiences of CEOs, associations, entrepreneurs, leadership teams, sales professionals, account executives, marketing executives, human resource managers and more. Her expertise in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) has been sought after by the New York Times, Forbes, the Washington Post, and Fast Company, among many others, and she’s appeared on the Today Show, the BBC, National Public Radio, and CNN.
Bernadette has been named on...2022-10-0735 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEI5 Things in 15 Minutes / RecoveryThere was a recurring theme this week in my conversations with clients: how to recover after you’ve been called out or accidentally offended someone. Here’s the short answer: don't get dramatic. Apologize sincerely once without diminishing their experience. If you’re corrected, say thanks. Educate yourself, rather than asking them, so you can do better next time.During an in-person keynote for a corporate client, I was asked a question that took the topic a step further. I was asked, “How much responsibility do I need to continue to take after I’ve offended someone when, afte...2022-09-2717 min5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEI5 Things in 15 Minutes / No Matter WhyIf you’re a long-time reader of 5 Things, you may have noticed that it doesn’t matter to me why an organization decides to “do the right thing” – to embed equity and inclusion into its systems as a way to accelerate the promises of diversity. I don’t care whether an organization is working on DEI initiatives because everyone else is because they see the promises of higher revenue because they want to reduce turnover, because they don’t want to be left in the dust, or because it’s just the right thing to do. I don’t care why Ha...2022-09-2024 min5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEI5 Things in 15 Minutes / The Sales TeamThis week I met with a client to prepare for an upcoming keynote. We were discussing some of the company’s DEI challenges, and I heard the familiar comment, “We struggle to get the sales team to care. They don’t get why it’s important.”It’s a common struggle: in many cases, DEI events are voluntary, and many folks on the sales team are in the field. How do you reach them? How do you get them to care?It starts with embedding DEI into the sales meetings and getting the senior leaders at those meet...2022-09-1315 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEI5 Things in 15 Minutes / High PotentialsThis week I facilitated a conversation with a client about my book Inclusive 360. In the conversation, I was struck by how often my conversations around DEI quickly focus on hiring for diversity. Yes, that’s important, but data tells us that at the entry-level of organizations, the percentage of men vs women, and White people vs BIPOC are fairly balanced. The gaps widen as employees are promoted. Classic unconscious bias.It’s clear to me that organizations should instead prioritize embedding equity into the employee lifecycle to give everyone a fair shot at success and growth. This incl...2022-08-3026 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEI5 Things in 15 Minutes / Everybody InThis week the U.S. Congress passed a significant and transformative climate bill that President Biden is expected to sign. Among many other things, the law will provide many incentives for shifts to clean energy, including rebates for car buyers. I found this timely when I read how GM connects the dots between diversity, equity, and inclusion and its goal to be an electric vehicle leader. Telva McGruder, chief diversity, inclusion, and equity officer at GM, shared:“Our tagline, ‘Everybody in,’ means that we are designing vehicles that will be able to accommodate people regardless of thei...2022-08-2320 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEI5 Things in 15 Minutes / Trade-OffsThis week I was reminded that every story is nuanced – sometimes, I miss the [whole/complete] picture when researching the stories. In the last 5 Things, I shared how Shopify’s CEO was humble and kind in handling layoffs. A reader so smartly responded:While they lost their jobs due to his mistake he still made over $20 million and cashed out more than $623 million in equity last year. To me, this raises huge questions about internal equity, executive compensation, and holding decision-makers accountable for their decisions. Instead, once again, we will likely see huge numbers of lower-wage, junior, and...2022-08-0919 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEI5 Things in 15 Minutes / Mic DropThis week my partner said something incredibly wise to me when we were talking about the kids’ rules. She said, “what I’ve come to realize is that it should be about equity, not equality."That was a mic drop moment for me. By that, she meant that each kid should be treated according to their own unique needs. Of course. The kid who gets overstimulated has different needs than the one who is a hardcore extrovert.Of course. I remember at work. I forget at home. Anyone else? Or vice versa?Equity, not eq...2022-07-2618 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEI5 Things in 15 Minutes / ObsessedThis week we launched a really cool DEI web app (and the feedback has been 🔥). Creating the Inclusive 360 Assessment and Roadmap has been my obsession for 10 months as I sought to solve a recurring challenge our clients share - a need to cut through the overwhelm and get crystal clear direction about the next steps forward with DEI.To be perfectly honest, I was also dissatisfied with the custom DEI analysis and strategic plan we were providing to consulting clients. I felt that the analysis was great but the plan was too general. In my own experience, whe...2022-07-1914 min
5 Things In 15 Minutes: Good Vibes in DEI5 Things in 15 Minutes / Pride ParadoxHappy Pride! I’m going to be honest here…to me, life as a gay person in America right now feels like whiplash. On one hand, we’re seeing rainbow everything and everywhere this year – from products at IKEA and Target to tweets like this from the Marines. It’s so extreme that I’ve seen posts decrying the commodification of pride. They’re not wrong. And also, I really love rainbows.This week, Equality Institute Associate Facilitator Darnell Adams and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI:Unilever Is Skipping Rainbow Merchandise & Pride Floats. They’d...2022-06-0717 min
Insight at Work with Ken Blackwell#26: Bernadette Smith - Inclusive 360 - Proven Solutions for an Equitable OrganizationIN THIS EPISODE: In Today’s conversation, we’ll be talking about creating inclusive cultures with my guest Bernadette Smith. Bernadette is CEO of Equality Institute and an award-winning author of three books. Her fourth book, Inclusive 360 – Proven Solutions for an Equitable Organization, has just been released and is available through your favorite bookseller. We’ll follow her journey into activism, understand that Inclusion is for everyone and the importance of creating spaces where everyone can feel safe, not only inside of the organization but on the client side as well. Bernadet...2022-01-1750 min
Inclusion School PodcastS3 Episode 13 - How to Talk About PrivilegeDiversity, Equity, and Inclusion Expert and CEO of Equality Institute, Bernadette Smith, joins Inclusion School Podcast this week. She discusses how to have uncomfortable conversations with your children about privilege. We discuss how to proactively have LGBTQ conversations. Subscribe, listen and share this week’s episode. Have questions or want to be a featured guest, email talktous@inclusionschool.com. Connect with Bernadette at https://www.theequalityinstitute.com 2021-04-1129 min
What's Betwixt UsEpisode 014: Your Truth Is Safe With Me with Bernadette SmithBernadette Smith, who is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion speaker, strategist, and trainer, joins us on What's Betwixt Us for this episode. Bernadette is the author of Gay Wedding Confidential, as well as several other books, and has been featured everywhere--in Forbes, the New York Times, CNN, the Washington Post, the Today Show, the BBC, NPR, Fast Company, and beyond. Bernadette speaks with us about psychological safety, love languages of business, and the "true employee revolution." She brings her raw, honest, and personal experiences of vulnerability to her work and emits unmistakable warmth, and fierce, unbridled optimism....2020-10-2649 min
The Belonging Factor | Stories and Lessons in Post-2020, High-Performing, People-First Leadership33 Bernadette Smith - Founder & President at Equality InstituteIn this episode, Bernadette Smith shares how a proactive approach to inclusion and equality at the front line can bring measurable financial benefits. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it.
Bernadette's Story (learn more at www.bernadettesmith.com and www.theequalityinstitute.com)
Bernadette Smith is the founder and president of Equality Institute and award-winning author of three books.
In 2004, Bernadette started 14 Stories, an award-winning wedding planning firm with an LGBTQ specialty. Her vision was to disrupt the heteronormative wedding industry with a vision of inclusion of all coup...2020-04-1751 min