Three tips for DEI strategy

National holidays and months recognizing the tremendous contributions of individuals and groups of people provide the perfect opportunity to reflect on their legacies and how we can continue them in our own daily lives. As we celebrate Black History Month throughout February, I am reminded by one of the best leaders of our time, my good friend Renée Sattiewhite, President and CEO of the African American Credit Union Coalition, of the necessary commitment to bringing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies front and center for credit unions. She said it best, in an American Banker story from last year: “People think that DEI is a moment, but for me, it’s a movement. For me, if credit unions do not embrace DEI they will die.”

In 2020, amid a global pandemic and fight for social justice in our country, I penned an open letter, with my thoughts echoing the sentiments of many around the country: it is our responsibility to take action on DEI within our communities, schools, and organizations.

As time as passes, we as leaders must ensure that we carry out this responsibility constantly and retain our momentum. An article from the Harvard Business Review by Evelyn Carter and Natalie Johnson outlines three areas where organizations should focus on and invest in to progress the DEI movement and deliver on the promises we’ve made.

Here is what I learned:

 

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