The need for diversity, equity and inclusion is obvious, but what does that mean from a corporate perspective? Tom Fox sits down with Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Kuma Roberts for a conversation about DEI in organizations and the all round benefits that these values offer. 

The Business Advantages of DEI 

“Companies absolutely understand the business case for diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Kuma states, citing the rise in the CEO Action Network, as well as smaller chambers of commerce pushing to join the fight, as well. She believes that the corporate world has transitioned from it being the right thing to do, to being the smart and most profitable thing to do. 

Defining DEI

Everyone understands diversity; it’s all the ways we differ. Equity refers to the access and opportunity for people who have been most disadvantaged. For Kuma, inclusion is when a variety of people have voice, power, and decision-making authority. 

DEI Insurance Policy 

We think of safety in organizations as something inherent and traditional. When considering diversity and inclusion as part of your organization’s culture, you create an insurance policy that ensures you will remain relevant, valuable, and sustainable for years to come. 

Utilizing Soft Skills 

Kuma gives a lot of credit to soft skills in her personal life. She speaks, from a corporate perspective, about the necessity of actively working with students to help them to understand important skills that will benefit them later on in the world of work. 

The Significance of Data 

When seeking out inequities across their communities, Kuma’s clients make use of various sources to aid them in understanding where there’s inequity, and how their organization can make an impact. ‘Learn to leverage data as a flashlight,’ is a phrase she loves, preferring to highlight areas where there are opportunities for improvement, rather than using data as a way to punish or vilify. 

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