The Unlock: Humanity at Work Cultivating a more equitable world of work with Dr. Kecia Thomas
Dec 4, 2023
Dr. Kecia Thomas, an industrial and organizational psychologist and dean at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, shares her extensive insights on diversity, equity, and inclusion. She dives into her childhood experiences of feeling othered, the importance of representation in workplaces, and how colorblindness hampers true inclusion. Dr. Thomas also discusses the role of employee resource groups and the necessity for authentic communication in leadership. Her passion for fostering empathy and understanding in educational spaces shines through, highlighting avenues for systemic change.
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Moved And Marked As Different
- Dr. Kecia Thomas moved from an all-Black Newark community to a mostly white suburb and was labeled as "different."
- That early experience of being othered shaped her research and lifelong focus on minority status counting.
Diversity Signals Shape Recruitment
- Organizations must recognize applicants read diversity cues to assess fit and culture.
- Holding a colorblind stance disables challenge and lets bias guide decisions.
Name Color To Prevent Bias
- Do stop treating colorblindness as virtue and instead name differences to interrupt stereotype activation.
- Intentionally derail stereotype-driven decision-making through explicit acknowledgement of identity.