The Coalition will hold its Annual Members Meeting on November 18 from 8-10 a.m. at K&L Gates Center, with an option to attend virtually.

At the meeting, we will provide practical answers to the question: if we really want to be more diverse, what should we do and what should we be measuring? The meeting will mark a shift in focus from creating inclusive environments in our firms and law departments through individual actions to ensuring inclusion and support for all our people through systemic innovations. Evan Parker of Parker Analytics will return to present some of his groundbreaking research and to host a panel of some of our members with whom he has worked to make real change. 

We look forward to seeing you there! Please register by Friday, November 5.

New! Please take a moment to answer our "PLDIC Pulse" poll question. Your response will give us important feedback on topics relevant to future Coalition direction and programming.

We have all heard about the “business case” for diversity – the idea that the more racial and/or gender diversity you have in your organization, the better it will perform financially. But it turns out this idea is simplistic and not backed by research and evidence. Instead, it is only when leadership and organizations create cultures where diversity is valued and heard and the conditions where people feel authorized and empowered to bring their differences to the table that diversity makes a financial difference. Listen to this short podcast hosted by Wharton professor Katherine Klein and featuring David Thomas, President of Morehouse College, and Robin Ely, Professor at Harvard Business School.

This article from Stanford Social Innovation Review discusses the myth that diverse candidates are hard to find. Where are they? Here's a deep dive into idea that there are no qualified diverse candidates.

"There are no easy answers or quick fixes to address racial inequity in the workplace. It necessitates going beyond “woke-washing”—appropriating social activism language into marketing materials—or hollow gestures, to make sure efforts reflect solid commitments to explicit internal and external changes. Turn the lens inward by exploring internal policies, practices, and structures, as Demos did, when this two-decade-old public policy organization, embarked on an organization-wide racial equity transformation and published their process and lessons."

Looking for a great resource to help you as you recruit diverse candidates? The PLDIC Best Practices Recruitment Guide on the Members Only page of the Coalition's website includes a list of resources with access to diverse candidates where you can advertise job openings; applications to help incorporate inclusive language in job descriptions; tips for assembling interview teams; and expert advice on how to conduct interviews. The Guide also offers sample behavioral interviewing questions and an interview evaluation form.

Any employee of a PLDIC member organization may access the Members Only page by filling out the “Members Only Access Request” on our website.

The documentary, now streaming on Amazon Prime, introduces audiences to Pauli Murray, a “Black, queer, gender-nonconforming” person who broke barriers at every stage of their life. As a law student, Murray’s innovative thinking laid the conceptual framework for overturning Plessy v. Ferguson, the 1896 Supreme Court decision that had validated the notion of “separate but equal” accommodations for Blacks and whites.

The Allegheny County Bar Association's Homer S. Brown Division will host a happy hour to welcome back its members and kick off the new ACBA year on October 20 at 5:30 p.m. at The Foundry (Pittsburgh North Shore). HSBD members and law students are invited to enjoy light refreshments and fellowship. The event will be outdoors (weather permitting). There is no cost to attend, but registration is required; the event is limited to the first 30 registrants.

ACBA member are invited to mingle with diverse law students at the annual Diverse Law Student Reception, October 27 from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Koppers Building downtown. During the event, law students and attorneys will have opportunities to connect in-person “speed networking” style. Masks are required, and space is limited.

Hollaback! is offering a free, virtual interactive training on October 26 at 12 p.m. about how to safely intervene when they witness Latinx people experiencing harassment in public.

The Irick Group's virtual educational series curated for underrepresented founders will hold its last session on October 26 from 4-5 p.m. and will feature thought leaders, discussing their experiences on how to access traditional and nontraditional capital.