Risha Grant, CEO of Risha Grant LLC, discusses why it’s time stop using DEI as a weapon. They explore the significance of diversity and inclusion, share personal experiences with bias, and address concerns of discrimination, cohesion, and bias in companies.
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Quick takeaways
Diversity and inclusion should not be politicized and should instead focus on allowing individuals to express their authentic selves without discrimination.
Recognizing and addressing unconscious biases is crucial for creating inclusive cultures and overcoming assumptions based on past experiences.
Deep dives
The Importance of Prioritizing People Over Politics
Risha Grant, CEO of Risha Grant LLC, discusses how diversity and inclusion are often overshadowed by politics. She highlights the negative impact of political agendas on marginalized communities, particularly the LGBT+ community, where numerous bills have been introduced to impede their progress. Grant emphasizes that diversity and inclusion are fundamentally about humanity and allowing individuals to express their authentic selves without fear or discrimination.
Overcoming Bias and Promoting Inclusivity
Grant shares her personal experience of facing challenges as a black woman and how it led her to develop biases towards white people. However, she recognized that her biases were hindering her interactions and success as a diversity consultant. Grant underscores the importance of individuals recognizing and addressing their own biases, encouraging others to see people as individuals rather than making assumptions based on past experiences or preconceived notions.
The Role of Diversity and Inclusion in Corporate Culture
Grant explains that companies hire her to help them address unconscious biases and create inclusive cultures. She stresses that discrimination lawsuits continually plague organizations, affecting employee morale and hindering goal attainment. Grant emphasizes that true diversity and inclusion require acknowledging, confronting, and addressing biases. She also addresses the issue of DEI fatigue, where some employees may express tiredness towards diversity and inclusion efforts, but she highlights the importance of persistently focusing on creating inclusive cultures.