The Association Blog

As national uprising against racial inequity continues, employers across the United States are urgently looking to find ways to create cultures of inclusion. This often begins with the implementation of a task force or working committee dedicated to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). But how do you even start a committee–and then what?

We asked Amanda Arrington, Senior Director of Pets for Life, a program of The Humane Society of the United States, and probably the most nationally recognized leader on racial and economic inequity in the animal welfare field, to help us answer that question.

Amanda offered the following exercises and reading materials as a great starting point.

• Complete the Continuum on Becoming an Anti-Racist Multicultural Organization exercise to rank where your organization is currently and to track progress.
• Tap into resources and tools from The Management Center, an organization that offers training and coaching services to help leaders working for social change build and run more effective organizations.
• Consider these characteristics of white supremacy culture that show up in our organizations. This detailed list is published by Dismantling Racism Works, a group of trainers, educators and organizers working to build strong progressive anti-racist organizations and institutions.
• Build your practical understanding of structural racism by reading The Groundwater Approach Report published by Racial Equity Institute.

As you dig in and discuss these resources don’t forget to celebrate that your organization recognizes the need to learn, discuss, and explore how to create racial equity in the workplace.

More on this topic

Discussion: The Roundtable: Community Relations During a Time of Unrest
On-demand webinars: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training Package
Blog: If your adoption policies put up barriers, you’re part of the problem
Blog: Are You Expecting Your BIPOC Employees To Educate You?