African American woman reading and studying the Bible.
Despite the rise in interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the last few years, and the increase in DEI-related roles within corporations, there is a lack of racial diversity within the field of DEI. White practitioners continue to dominate the DEI space. According to Zippia.com, in 2019 more than 76% of Chief Diversity Officers (CDOs) were white. Only 7% of CDOs that year were estimated to be Hispanic/Latine, 7% were Asian, and less than 4% were Black. Within the DEI space, anti-blackness may contribute to these abysmal rates of Black CDOs within corporations.
It is imperative to acknowledge the frequency at which individual and structural biases manifest even within spaces like DEI, that were designed to eradicate these types of inequities. Addressing the pervasive and insidious nature of oppression requires us to prioritize the needs of the most marginalized. Black voices must be centered to move the needle on corporate DEI efforts. Black practitioners should be leading DEI conversations and efforts, while also being given the tools to guide workplaces to the perceived promise land. This article highlights four Black authors who have recently written books that will help improve and strengthen your workplace DEI efforts.
1. The Waymakers: Clearing the Path to Workplace Equity with Competence and Confidence. Equity strategist Tara Jaye Frank wrote The Waymakers with the goal of providing leaders with a guide for workplace equity. Through a mix of thoughtful storytelling and empirical data, Frank helps readers understand where they are on their equity journey, while connecting the dots to better understand the needs of an ever-evolving talent pool. Readers have remarked on how the book is a must for aspiring inclusive leaders because it offers practical and clear instructions. This part-leadership part-DEI guidebook should be included in your corporate library collection.
2. I’m Tired of Racism: True Stories of Existing While Black. Writer, Speaker and Educator Sharon Hurley Hall wrote I’m Tired of Racism to provide readers with a global perspective of racism and anti-blackness. Having lived and worked in multiple countries around the world, Hurley Hall wanted to use her experiences to help readers gain a better understanding of how colonialism and white supremacy culture impacts different Black communities around the world. Hurley Hall highlights her personal and lived experiences as a Black woman navigating the world in this collection of essays. Black employees continue to experience harm and marginalization both in and outside of the workplace. Anyone who wants to gain deeper insight into the global and universal experiences of their Black employees and colleagues should add this book to their reading list.
3. I’m Not Yelling: A Black Woman’s Guide to Navigating the Workplace. Elizabeth Leiba is a writer and college professor who uses her online platform everyday to educate and share Black history. Leiba wrote I’m Not Yelling as a love letter to Black women navigating corporate America. Through the use of narratives, Leiba guides readers, providing a layered account of how misogynoir impacts Black women in the workplace. This book also highlights the experiences and challenges of Black female entrepreneurs. Any aspiring ally or advocate should read this book to increase awareness and understanding about the unique challenges Black women face at work and to gain a better grasp of how racial trauma impacts Black women in business spaces.
4. The Inclusive Organization: Real Solutions, Impactful Change, and Meaningful Diversity. Global DEI executive and thought leader Netta Jenkins wrote The Inclusive Organization, which is set to release in the summer of 2023. Fusing human behavior, workplace psychology and a DEI-tested framework that she developed, Jenkins provides readers with a practical resource to help improve corporate DEI initiatives in order to create lasting, sustainable, and scalable change. Despite the $8 billion that has been poured into the DEI industry, many organizations and institutions struggle to create strategies, programs and initiatives that stand the test of time. Jenkins hopes to change that with her book, where she provides readers with a DEI roadmap that she has used for success.
