FOCUS SECTION
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & inclusion
Challenge Status Quo
CREATE BUILDING BLOCKS TO AUTHENTIC DE&I BY MICHELLE LEACH
CAMMY WATKINS
CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES
Individuals, organizations, and communities are taking a hard look at their relationships to others, and the fundamental practices — from internal recruiting to vendor selection — that have historically characterized their businesses or teams. There is a sense that, while long overdue, society is moving toward actively doing what is the “right thing to do.” Cammy Watkins and Maggie Wood are co-executive directors with Inclusive Communities, an Omaha-based nonprofit
MAGGIE WOOD
CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES
focused on diversity and inclusion education and advocacy. When asked about the majority millennial workforce and what readers can do to maximize the potential of a diverse workforce, the executive directors encouraged support of diversity at “every level.” “Making it easy for people show up as their authentic selves helps them to focus on doing the work, solving the problems, being creative, rather than, ‘Is it OK for me to exist in this space?’” Watkins said.
BIANCA HARLEY
VP OF HUMAN CAPITAL AND INCLUSION, OMAHA PERFORMING ARTS
“You can set up employee resource groups (ERGs) or affinity groups for your team, mentorship relationships, engage in cultural exchange days that support the diversity of your staff, recognize the holidays that different folks celebrate, develop clear and documented inclusive workplace policies, use inclusive language on your forms.” Furthermore, Wood said that valuing diversity goes beyond simply hiring diverse candidates.
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Page 9 • April 15, 2022
“It should also include promoting diverse candidates into leadership positions and exercising supplier diversity … need to have a catered luncheon, get marketing materials printed or have a copier serviced? Build relationships with diverse and BIPOC[Black, Indigenous, people of color] owned businesses,” she said. Also, Wood emphasized moving beyond the creation of a “diverse atmosphere” within one’s workplace. “Atmosphere alone can sometimes feel
