Given the political landscape and increased media coverage around issues of discrimination, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have become all the more prevalent in the social sector. This isn’t to say that DEI hasn’t been important in years past—it has. The main difference now is that more organizations in the social sector are holding themselves and being held accountable to exhibiting their practice of DEI principles.

  1. There is no one size fits all to approaching DEI. Though there are several suggested approaches to making your programs more culturally responsive, it is most important to consider the context of the communities where your work is happening.
  2. Equity is not the same as equality. Equity is providing everyone in the community with the amount of resources required to achieve success. Equality is providing everyone in the community with the same amount of resources.
  3. Consider what you know and what you don’t know. In the case of DEI – it is acceptable, and even important, to acknowledge what you do and do not know about the community or the issues facing the community you serve.

Read the full article about DEI by Thana-Ashley Charles on TCC Group.