Workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion's Next Steps: Progress Stalls as Institutions Ignore Past Achievements?
Rewritten Article:
As the discussion around DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) continues to face criticism, one innovative event aims to reclaim the conversation. Born from the vision of identity and belonging coach, Erin Corine Johnson, the Future of DEI Virtual Summit isn't your typical professional conference. Instead, Johnson has crafted a space for raw, honest conversations, diverse perspectives, and a vibrant community of trailblazers working together towards collective liberation.
For Johnson, who is an artist, community organizer, and multidisciplinary thinker, the summit was not a response to the political climate, but a realization that many DEI practices had failed those they were meant to support. "The current upheaval we experience politically has been accelerated, but it is not the root cause," she said. "The root cause is decades of performative policymaking without the backing of sustainable and accountable practices." The summit is for all, with or without a DEI title, eagerly asking, "What can I do now?"
Running over five thrilling days, the summit features engaging discussions, panel chats, and fireside chats, all centered around two crucial questions: What is the future of DEI, and how can we catalyze change beyond unstable institutions? The summit boasts a diverse roster of speakers, from digital educators to scholars, each feeling the tremors of the DEI backlash and discovering novel ways to push forward.
Blair Imani, the creator of the acclaimed Smarter in Seconds series, will discuss creative approaches to inclusive education. "Despite the harsh policies turning their backs on equity," Imani said, "we don't have to surrender. Innovation is our key."
On the other side of the Atlantic, anti-racism educator and author Desireé Bela-Lobedde will shed light on the often-hidden racism in Spain and debunk the myth that DEI is merely an American issue. "In Spain," she said, "people believe antiracist work is only necessary elsewhere. I aim to inspire attendees to reflect on their own contexts, challenge the narratives they've been taught, and embrace their role in actively contributing to antiracist transformation wherever they are." Bela-Lobedde's Laboratorio de Deconstruccion, a virtual learning space, serves as a blueprint for what the future of DEI might look like: grounded in lived experiences and nurtured by a network of passionate individuals.
Louis and Arlene Byrd, parents and entrepreneurs, will delve into the tricky yet vital conversation around talking to children about racism. Their session, "Talking to Kids About Racism," addresses the essential responsibility of educating children about systems of inequality while preserving their innocence and nurturing optimism. "This topic is personal to us as a husband-and-wife team, who are raising two beautiful sons, Black boys, in this world," they said. "We've started discussing race, privilege, and systems' impact on our lives, and we've been candid and vulnerable about our parenting journey, actively contributing to raising empathetic, open-minded humans."
When asked about the future of DEI, Louis expressed his conviction. "I believe the future of DEI is about ownership. Ownership of businesses, infrastructure, neighborhoods, and communities."
The Future of DEI Summit stands out for its focus on involving the everyday person in DEI conversations. "I noticed about a year and a half ago that the gap between people practicing DEI, especially at the organizational level, and those DEI was meant to serve, was growing," Johnson explained. "People struggled to understand what DEI was doing in their companies, and everyday people didn't know how to make a difference from their individual standpoints. This summit is intended to bridge that gap by humanizing the work and distributing power."
Johnson views opposition to DEI not as a reason for retreat, but as an invitation to build something new and better. "Critics will come for us regardless of what we call it," she said. "What happens when we choose to care for each other, build our own tables, and feed our own communities despite them?" Johnson's vision, centered around radical care, community building, and sustained resistance, shines through in every speaker, whether it's Imani's vision of transnational solidarity, Bela-Lobedde's call for a broader racial awakening in Europe, or the Byrds' dedication to raising aware, conscious children. The message is clear: DEI is not dying; it is being reborn-outside corporations, beyond catchphrases, and in the hands of concerned individuals, who've never needed permission to do the work in the first place.
In the midst of upcoming DEI events like the ABA Equity Summit, Atos DE&I Summit 2025, RISE Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Summit, Inclusive Excellence Summit at Cornell, and Misericordia University's Diversity Leadership Summit, the Future of DEI Virtual Summit offers a unique perspective and a chance for everyone to contribute to the DEI conversation and make a difference. So, whether you're new to DEI or a seasoned advocate, join the movement and shape the future of DEI together!
(*Note: The concept of "zones of genius" wasn't found in the provided enrichment data, so it was not included in the rewritten article.)
- Erin Corine Johnson, an identity and belonging coach, is spearheading a unique event called the Future of DEI Virtual Summit, which aims to reignite conversations about DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) beyond the realm of typical professional conferences.
- The summit offers a platform for raw, honest discussions and a vibrant community of trailblazers focused on collective liberation, reflecting Johnson's vision as an artist, community organizer, and multidisciplinary thinker.
- The event, happening over five days, features engaging discussions, panel chats, and fireside chats, focusing on the future of DEI and ways to catalyze change beyond unstable institutions.
- Blair Imani, creator of the acclaimed Smarter in Seconds series, will delve into innovative educational approaches for inclusive education at the summit, emphasizing the importance of creativity in the face of harsh DEI policies and the fight against inequality.
- Desireé Bela-Lobedde, an anti-racism educator and author based in Spain, will discuss the hidden racism in the country and challenge the narrative that DEI is solely an American issue, inspiring attendees to reflect on their own contexts and contribute to antiracist transformation wherever they are.
- Louis and Arlene Byrd, parents and entrepreneurs, will share their personal experiences discussing racism with their children and offer insights into educating kids about systems of inequality, nurturing optimism, and raising empathetic, open-minded humans.
- The summit highlights the importance of involving everyday individuals in DEI conversations, bridging the growing gap between DEI practitioners at the organizational level and those the work is aimed at serving, and empowering individuals to make a tangible difference.
- louis Byrd believes that the future of DEI lies in ownership of businesses, infrastructure, neighborhoods, and communities, emphasizing the need for increased individual involvement in DEI efforts.
- Alongside other upcoming DEI events like the ABA Equity Summit and the Inclusive Excellence Summit at Cornell, the Future of DEI Virtual Summit offers a unique perspective and an opportunity for everyone, regardless of their background or experience, to contribute to the DEI conversation and make a difference.
- Whether you're new to DEI or a seasoned advocate, the Future of DEI Virtual Summit is a chance to shape the future of DEI together, following the vision of radical care, community building, and sustained resistance, shining through in every speaker at the event.
