HOW TO BE AN ANTIRACIST LEADER

Abstract

AbstractThe author writes that in the past year, some companies “found themselves unequipped to carry on even the most basic conversations on race in the workplace … leaders had to determine how, or even whether, to implement diversity initiatives that had long languished, or been abandoned, or been repeatedly proven ineffective.” Also: “Black employees in companies were asked to take on entirely new roles, ones they were not compensated for and for which there would be no promotion awaiting them at the end. They quickly became the company’s Free Antiracism Expert.” She outlines 10 questions, in her words: (1) How do you define an antiracist organization? (2) Who are your antiracist initiatives supporting? (3) Are you centering this work on those who are marginalized, not on those who have succeeded? (4) Are you leading the work yourself or relying on your Black employees to do the work for you? (5) Do you know who the supporters and the detractors are on your team? (6) Have you stopped doing what’s not working? (7) Does your data demonstrate inequity? (8) Have you set your goals? (9) Have you set out competencies for success? (10) Do you have the courage to do the work?