WELCOME TO THE 21 WEEK CHALLENGE!
United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community. That work calls us to confront challenges and disparities in our communities and state.
In each pillar of our work – Health, Education and Financial Stability, which we recognize as the building blocks for a good quality of life and strong community – there are Wisconsin residents who face inequities and disparities. Racial inequity is a significant part of this conversation, as demonstrated in our ALICE report and other research, along with other historical barriers and inequities. We want to better understand the issues and the experiences of all our neighbors.
This Challenge is meant to learn from new and different perspectives, deepen understanding, and share ways to take action. It is a step in a lifelong journey to understand and work toward equity and inclusion in our state and communities. Our Challenge has a large focus on racial equity, but we also acknowledge racial equity is just one part of how we ensure a good quality of life for every member of our community. In the weeks ahead, our Challenge will include some resources that touch on other equity topics.
If you did not have the chance the complete our pre-Challenge survey, please take a few minutes to fill it out by clicking here.
We know that when we Live United, we must Live United for everyone. Thank you for joining us in this Challenge!
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Our first few weeks of the Challenge will focus on developing a shared understanding of language and concepts that will be used throughout this challenge. This week, we start with diversity, equity and inclusion.
Generally, we recommend around 20 minutes to review the weekly email, consider the week’s topic, and engage with materials shared. Some weeks may have more content to choose from, and you won’t be able to get to everything. It is up to you which of the resources/challenge activities you engage with. We’ve scheduled “reflections” every few weeks so that you can look back on previous weeks’ topics and revisit the resources.
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Week 1: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion |
- What is your understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion? How do the definitions and explanations presented here reinforce your understanding? How do they challenge your understanding?
- Did you learn something new or surprising? Were there views that differed from your own experience?
- What emotions come up for you while working through this week’s material? What experiences do you think shape this reaction?
- Are there ideas or recommendations in any of today’s resources that help you better understand your own equity journey? What information do you need to understand the issue more thoroughly?
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Diversity, equity and inclusion are used to frame conversations and efforts to address historical disparities. These concepts are often grouped together and referred to as DEI.
You may have encountered DEI statements or workplans from your workplace, school, community organization, or government. Many institutions engaging in DEI will share their own definition to best frame their work.
For our Challenge, we want to offer these shared definitions (source):
Diversity: Everyone is unique, and groups of individuals reflect multiple dimensions of difference including (but not limited to) race, ethnicity, gender, class, sexual orientation, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, and cognitive styles.
Equity: In the context of societal systems, equality, and equity refer to similar but slightly different concepts. Equality generally refers to equal opportunity and the same levels of support for all segments of society. Equity goes a step further and refers to offering varying levels of support depending upon the need to achieve greater fairness of outcomes. Equity is about creating fair access, opportunity and advancement for all people.
Inclusion: Authentically bringing traditionally excluded individuals and/or groups into processes, activities, and decision/policymaking in a way that shares power. Inclusion is an ongoing process, not a static action.
These definitions help frame our Challenge, but there is value in exploring other ideas and insights about DEI. To further your own understanding, we’ve provided a list of resources that discuss the topic. Some offer alternative definitions, as well as personal and professional views on how best to frame, discuss, and carry-out DEI.
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WEEK 1 CHALLENGE
With the definitions and reflection questions above in mind, do one or more of the following:
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In this advice blog, social justice facilitator Meg Bolger explains the distinction between diversity, equity and inclusion, and why each element is important. She shares helpful thought exercises throughout her article.
In this perspective piece, equity experts from ProInspire share their definitions of diversity, equity and inclusion. They offer their key arguments to make a case for DEI.
DEI strategist Hattie Hill shares her perspective on the evolution of DEI in the workplace and steps companies need to take to create long-lasting change.
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(Tip: if you’re running short on time, you can watch at a 1.5x playback speed on YouTube by clicking “settings” on the video.) |
Anthony Abraham Jack, Assistant Professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, shares his own experience and research about how and why disadvantaged students may struggle in college. He offers ideas on what schools can do differently to help students thrive. He urges listeners to grapple with a simple fact: access is not inclusion.
Paloma Medina challenges the paradigm of diversity in the workplace and society. She calls on her audience to prioritize equity.
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Sam Sanders talks to Kim Tran, an anti-racist author and consultant, about how the DEI industry may have strayed from its movement roots. She also shares ideas on DEI tactics that she finds work best.
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Learn more about the 21 Week Equity Challenge, review the weekly questions and resources, and sign-up to receive weekly emails throughout the Challenge by visiting www.unitedwaywi.org/equity
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