I Hate It Here

S3 E4: You Won’t Break My Soul: DEI and Its Impact at Work with Tara Turk-Haynes

Feb 12, 2024

Tara Turk-Haynes, founder of Equity Activations, discusses DEI in the workplace, questioning performative actions during Black History Month. They also explore the complexities of the black experience, emphasizing the need to connect DEI strategies to an organization's purpose. The importance of inclusion, challenging stereotypes in entertainment, and making a business case for DEI are also discussed.

52:41

Episode guests

Tara Turk-Haynes

AI Summary

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Companies should prioritize authentic and meaningful celebrations of observance months like Black History Month and Women's History Month.

Diverse representation in organizations fosters innovation and avoids missed opportunities.

Education is crucial in promoting empathy and understanding different experiences and perspectives in the workplace.

Deep dives

The Importance of Implementing a Comprehensive DEI Strategy

IBM was one of the first companies to implement a comprehensive DEI strategy in the 90s to increase business. They hired a DEI person to increase visibility and sales in communities they were not reaching.

Introduction

2min

Discussion on Dreams, Indie Flicks, and DEI in Business

3min

The Challenges of Working in DEI

11min

The Importance of Diversity in Education

5min

Recognizing and Celebrating Cultural Heritage Months in the Workplace

7min

The Role of Leadership in Fostering Equity and Inclusion

3min

The Business Case for DEI and Challenges Faced by People of Color in the Industry

22min

Should DEI live within HR? And what’s the importance of prioritizing diversity in the workplace?

Hebba chats with Tara Turk-Haynes, founder of Equity Activations, about transforming businesses through the power of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

They chat about what can be performative during Black History Month, ruminating on why companies are so quick to utilize it for marketing purposes, but so slow to understand the true purpose behind the month itself. Are some companies simply better off avoiding Black History Month altogether?

Their answers may surprise you.

And later, Tara and Hebba dive into the complexities of the black experience in the workplace, discussing the importance of connecting DEI strategies to the purpose of an organization. How can HR and DEI departments increase empathy, allyship, and accessible resources for all communities in the workplace? And how can we acknowledge the black experience in an impactful manner?

Whether you're struggling to find balance in your own DEI efforts, or simply looking for helpful advice, tune in to discover Hebba and Tara’s most actionable advice!

00:00:09 - Unveiling the Truth about HR Challenges

00:05:45 - Celebrating Black History Month's Importance

00:11:33 - The Ethics of Black History Month Marketing

00:14:32 - Tips for HR Leaders Celebrating Black History Month

00:23:26 - The Importance of Inclusion

00:25:43 - Making the Business Case for DEI Should Stop

00:30:55 - Challenging Stereotypes in the Entertainment Industry

00:33:52 - Advocating for Black Women in the Workplace

00:39:54 - Ava Duvernay's Movie Origins: A Moving Experience

00:43:12 - The Challenges of DEI Professionals

00:44:46 - The Emotional Intensity of HR Jobs

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Follow Tara:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ttaraturkhaynes/

Follow Hebba:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef