Challenging Anti-DEI Legislation: Insights from a Certified Diversity Professional
You’ve probably heard that Texas and other states, like Florida and Oklahoma, are banning diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in public higher education. Much of the public has shared upset since DEI efforts had been recommitted to in recent years. As a Certified Diversity Professional and holder of a CompassionateUSA Certification, I try to consider what role the PR professional and communicators can have in situations like this.
The Changing Language of DEI
When you use the word “diversity”, what do you think of? Language continuously evolves. In English, many words have double meanings and terms evolve from acceptable to unacceptable over time. Or we have many words that mean the same thing. PR pros – do you say “media release” or “press release”?
Census Says: Hispanic Heritage Month is a Must
Hispanic Heritage Month helps remind us of the rich traditions, leaders and shared values that make the Hispanic/Latino culture so significant. And that significance is rising -- the Latino population represented some big statistical shifts recently in the latest U.S. Census. Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15 and lasts through October 15. There’s a lot to commemorate during this short time. No matter your market area, encouraging your organization or client to embrace this month makes good fiscal sense now.
Steps to Being an Ally at Work
If you promote this concept in your workplace, allyship is a step towards showing you support social responsibility because it’s in alignment with diversity, equity and inclusion. The first step starts with YOU. Just like we teach children -- we have to first be a friend to make a friend.
Four Steps for Practicing Social Responsibility
If you are unfamiliar with “Corporate Social Responsibility'' or CSR, you may not realize you are taking part in it when you participate in your organization's United Way campaign, recycle items in the office, or donate in a company’s food drive.
Women Must Support Women
Women’s History Month is an ideal time to examine our progression as women and the gaps we still need closed. For example, we may not be able to overcome the female wage gap in our lifetime, but changing our mindset could help us grow our finances and stature in the workplace.