May Institute’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council
issue
NEWSLETTER
18/2021
Our Mission is to foster and support an environment of inclusion, respect, fairness, and transparency, where differences are celebrated and all opinions are valued.
May Renews its DEI Commitment to You! May Institute is redoubling its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts as a result of the employee forums, focus groups, and feedback received. The goals are to: z Expand and enhance DEI training for all staff Incorporate management’s responsibility for DEI-related initiatives into their work expectations and evaluation process Examine the hiring process and provide training for recruitment staff to address any bias in the process z Expand the Mentorship Program Recruit employees, especially people of color, with the goal of providing advancement opportunities Seek out seasoned employees across all functions to share knowledge and expertise z Increase process transparency Evaluate the process of how issues are communicated to and from Human Resources
A Beacon of Hope June 17, 2021, was a historic day for our country! Legislation establishing Juneteenth (June 19th) National Independence Day, a federal holiday, was signed into law by President Joseph Biden. This recognition is a result of years of advocacy and represents a heightened awareness and acknowledgement of our history. A mere 156 years ago, on June 19, 1865, enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, were finally notified that slavery had ended in the United States. By the time federal troops brought word to this last and most remote bastion of slavery, two-and-a-half years had passed since the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Juneteenth commemorates this momentous event — one far too long in coming. Juneteenth serves as a beacon of hope; a reminder of what can and should be. But much work remains. Continued honest self-reflection, dialogue, learning, and action are critical at this juncture. Prior to President Biden’s announcement, May made the decision to change the November floating holiday to an annual floating holiday. This gives employees the opportunity to take time off to celebrate and recognize the holidays they observe. Beginning July 1, 2021, the floating holiday will be available for employees to observe any day that is of importance to them.
Reading COLORS Your World BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
1] Tell Me Who You Are: Sharing Our Stories of Race, Culture, & Identity by Winona Guo 2] The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee 3] Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
Regularly revise the Employee Handbook to ensure the clarity and transparency of policies Please refer to the February 2, 2021, email from Dr. Lauren Solotar, President and CEO, for more detailed information on initiatives and timelines for implementation.
Coming Mid-July, Phone Line to Report DEI Issues — 800.887.4417 A new phone line setup to report DEI issues will be monitored by the Diversity Steering Committee, and employees will have direct communication with a member of that team. Before calling the DEI phone line, employees should first try to seek assistance from their Human Resources representative if they believe they have been subjected to any kind of discrimination.
Rising Tide of Violence Against AAPI Community Since the beginning of the pandemic, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) have been the victims of violence and hate crimes at a significantly higher rate than in previous years. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have been unfairly blamed for the COVID-19 pandemic due to misinformation, xenophobia, and ignorance. The DEI Council condemns all anti-Asian hate and stands in solidarity with members of the AAPI community. Acts of hate against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are not tolerated in our workplace. We encourage you, too, to stand in solidarity with the AAPI community.
DiversityInc reports that nationwide, documented attacks on members of the AAPI community increased by nearly 150% in 2020 over the previous year. Racism targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders likely started in the 19th century when thousands of Chinese workers were brought to the United States as laborers. For more on the centuries-long and complex history of the AAPI community in the United States, please reference the March 15th email from the DEI Council to access links to selected readings. Visit stopaapihate.org to learn more about its work and to find resources.
Application for DEI Council Membership Open! Applications for the 2021–2022 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council are now being accepted! The application can be accessed via the June 14th email sent by the Council. All employees across May’s locations are encouraged to apply. The deadline for submission is Monday, July 12th. The DEI Council’s mission is to foster and support an environment of inclusion, respect, fairness, and transparency, where differences are celebrated, and all opinions are valued.
The Council works collaboratively with May Institute’s leadership to advance the organization’s efforts to build a Workplace of Choice and a culture of integrity.