Voices From the 4th Annual CDO Forum

Diversity Matters Community -

At Diversity Matters we are committed to giving voice to the power of inclusion in the workplace and in the world. As part of our role as the online broadcast partner of the Johnnetta B. Cole Global Diversity and Inclusion Institute (JBCI), last week the entire Diversity Matters team participated in the 4th Annual Chief Diversity Officers Forum sponsored by the JBCI at Bennett College for Women in Greensboro North Carolina. For three days we captured the voices and stories of CEO’s, CDO’s, participants as well as other national and international thought leaders and practitioners in the field of diversity and inclusion.

On tomorrow’s episode we bring you highlights from the CDO Forum and the voices of:

• Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, president of Bennett College for Women and Chair of the Board of the Johnnetta B. Cole Institute
• Baroness Valerie Amos, Leader of the House of Lords, United Kingdom - Parliament
• Brian Gallagher, CEO of the United Way of America
• Rick Anicetti, President & CEO of Food Lion, LLC
• Stephen Pemberton, Chief Diversity Officer, Monster.com
• Dr. Julianne Malveaux, Economist, Author and incoming President of Bennett College for Women

Given our commitment to providing each and everyone a voice and a vehicle for participating in critical conversations about diversity and inclusion join Judy and Richard as they share their own highlights, lessons learned and thoughts about the conference’s themes of Innovation and Strengthening the Pipeline. Please add your voice to the conversation live by sharing your perspectives, insights and experiences about diversity and inclusion. Call 866-472-5790 this Friday, March 30, 2007 at 10AM (eastern). Listen to Diversity Matters live or on demand at ww.diversitymatters.info.

More about the CDO Forum:
While Judy (my co-host and co-founder) and Mary (one of our producers) had been to past CDO Forums, this was my first. It was truly a remarkable gathering of thought leaders, business leaders and a broad range of practitioners creating a movement to build inclusion in the workplace and as Dr. Cole says, throughout the worldplace.

Over the past year, Diversity Matters has teamed up with the JBCI to be their broadcasting partner and we inaugurated this relationship at the CDO Forum. Given our commitment to giving voice to the power of inclusion, we interviewed many of the CEO’s, CDO’s, presenters and participants, in order to capture their thoughts, concerns, struggles and celebrate their successes. Tomorrow’s episode of Diversity Matters will highlight some of these voices from the CDO Forum. We will also continue to bring additional voices inspired from the JBCI and the CDO Forum to future episodes of our show, in order to continue the conversations that this community of committed leaders and practitioners engaged in during last week’s conference.

Personal Highlights:
For me personally, there were several highlights at the conference. First of all, I got even clearer that the purpose we stand for at Diversity Matters, to give voice to individual stories regarding diversity and inclusion is critical in moving people and organizations from thinking to action. The Forum’s themes were Innovation and Addressing the Diversity Pipeline. Repeatedly, the challenge of taking action – moving from understanding to sustainable change, was named. Like many of the participants at the conference, I was most moved to action through the conversations and personal stories shared with me by other participants, presenters and in particular by Jennifer Obakhume our Diversity Matters intern.

CEO Panel:
For example, on the CEO Panel, Rick Anicetti (President & CEO of Food Lion LLC), Daryl Brewster (CEO of Krispy Kreme), Brian Gallagher (CEO of United Way of America, and Richard “Dick” Macedonia, CEO of Sodexo all spoke from the heart about their personal challenges in leading diversity and inclusion efforts within their companies. When Dr. Johnnetta Cole asked the panel, “What keeps you up at night?” Rick Anicetti spoke about the importance of addressing inclusion from a social justice perspective. One thing he said he keeps him up at night is, “Talking about how bad it is (i.e. lack of social justice), is talking about how bad I am.” This statement helped me to see Rick as CEO in a very human and vulnerable way. It also reinforced that no matter where we are or who we are, that ultimately it comes back to “me” and I must first look inside before pointing out.

Dr. Cole acknowledged that while all of the men on this panel are engaged, and CEO engagement in building inclusion is necessary, it’s not sufficient. Building trust and respect on the executive team and throughout the organization is critical for people to take risks and to grow. Someone on the panel said, “Without trust and respect we clone the status quo.” The authentic voice and story of the CEO’s for me was a highlight. It also underscored the importance of candor, and self-awareness (including knowing what you don’t know) as key components of trustworthiness.

In fact, our next episode of Diversity Matters (April 1, 2007) addresses the role of trust in promoting inclusion. Our guest will be author, consultant and friend of Diversity Matters Dr. Delorese Ambrose whose newest tool is the Interpersonal Trust Profile which assesses trustworthiness the key ingredient in leadership, teamwork, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Women of Color Panel:
Diversity Matters’ own Noelle Richardson participated on a panel of women of color to address “Strengthening the Pipeline.” All of the panelists spoke about the importance of mentoring to ensure that the pipeline of talent grows and doesn’t get clogged or blocked. Noelle highlighted the important exchange that happens in effective mentoring relationships. She spoke particularly to the role that the “mentee” plays in developing the mentor as a way to strengthen the pipeline.

While I understand and have experienced the value of “reverse mentoring,” this week I also re-lived its power. On the Diversity Matters team is a young woman named Jennifer Obakhume. Jennifer is a freshman at Bennett College and a Diversity Matters intern. Last week was the first time all of us were face to face. Over meals and during our meetings we were able to all get to know each other through conversation at a deeper level than our phone meetings have allowed. During one of our team meetings, Jennifer said “I have no doubt that one of the purposes that drew me to Bennett College, 3000 miles from my home in Los Angeles was to be here right now with this group, on this team. What is your purpose? What is YOUR purpose in calling this forth?” The power of her question and the clarity with which she asked THE fundamental question for our team catalyzed a process to take our work to the next level.

At its best, mentoring is an exchange. At its best, narrative is also an exchange – an exchange between story teller and listener. It gives voice to the question or perhaps inspires an answer. Even if the answer is not entirely clear, knowing the question and living in the question may be exactly what’s necessary for taking action. Thank you Jennifer, for bringing voice to the question and inspiring us all to show up clearer and more purposeful.

I ask each of you, “Who are your mentees and what have they taught you?” Please add your thoughts, comments and experiences regarding the conference or the inclusion movement here on the blog. Let’s keep the conversation going.

Richard Friend, Ph.D.

Co-Founder and Co-Host

Inclusion – What Every Leader Needs to Know to Create “The Magic”

Friends & Colleagues -

Is “the magic” of inclusion an illusion or can an effective leader truly build a culture that attracts, inspires and enlists others in the creation of a workplace where everyone’s unique talents and perspectives are tapped in service of organizational goals? What are the inherent challenges faced when leading change with respect to diversity?

Co-hosts and diversity experts, Richard Friend and Judy Seidenstein have over 40 years combined experience working with organizations in building a climate of inclusiveness and developing leadership capacity. Diversity leaders, no matter where they reside within an organization or a community are key to helping unleash the potential of others to work together across differences. On this episode of Diversity Matters, Judy and Richard discuss the most important things leaders must know to create, implement and leave a legacy of inclusion.

• How does someone acquire the clear sense of purpose and authentic voice that inspires others to want to follow?


• How does leading a vision of inclusion differ from leading other efforts?


• Whose vision matters more, the diversity leader’s or the followers’?


• What risks must one take to be an effective diversity leader?


• Is it more important to be liked or respected when leading inclusion efforts?

Judy and Richard explore these and other questions about “the magic of inclusion” with Lee Cockerell, former Executive Vice President of Operations for the Walt Disney World ® Resort. As the Senior Operating Executive for nine years Lee lead a team of 40,000 Cast Members and was responsible for the operations of 20 resort hotels, 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, a shopping and entertainment village and a sports and recreation complex in addition to the ancillary operations which supported the number one vacation destination in the world. One of Lee’s major and lasting legacies was the creation of Disney Great Leader Strategies, including the “Ten Things Leaders Must Do to Promote Inclusion”, which continues on as the primary resource for developing the 7000 leaders at Walt Disney World.

Join us as we talk with Lee Cockerell about Inclusion – What Every Leader Needs to Know to Create “The Magic”. Join in on the conversation by calling in with your questions and comments at 866-472-5790 this Friday, March 23, 2007 at 10AM (eastern). Listen to Diversity Matters live or on demand at www.diversitymatters.info.

Please tune in!

Richard Friend, Ph.D.

Co-Host

March 21st – International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and Couch Surfing!

Diversity Matters Community -

When I sat down to write this entry my intention was to discuss the United Nations 41st Annual International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The General Assembly proclaimed the day in 1966 to call on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination. It is observed annually on March 21st to honor the 69 people killed by police when they engaged in a peaceful demonstration against the apartheid “pass laws” in Sharpeville, South Africa. The primary objectives for the day include: “Encourage interaction and cross-fertilization of cultures and civilizations through education and awareness –raising, with a view to promoting mutual respect, diversity and tolerance.”

As I sat on the plane heading to Greensboro North Carolina for the JBC Institute’s Chief Diversity Officers Form at Bennett College I thought, “well this will be a good place to be on March 21st and will be my contribution to the U.N.’s Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.” Then I thought, “But Richard, you’d be doing this any way. What will you do to make a difference that’s extra-ordinary?” So I thought I’d throw out a challenge here to the Diversity Matters community, what is each of us doing in a personal way that we wouldn’t necessarily be doing otherwise to make a difference in the elimination of racial discrimination?

As I was preparing to land, my answer came from the American Airlines magazine “American Way” that was in the seat pocket in front of me. Couch surfing!! You gotta love the law of attraction. Couch surfing is a high tech, low cost version of intercultural exchange. Like Mi Casa, Su Casa where you agree to swap houses, apartments or flats with someone in another part of the world, CouchSurfing is where you sign up to either crash on someone’s couch in a world wide location that you want to visit, or to host a couch crasher. The host provides the couch (and if you’re lucky a futon or even a bed) and serves as your personal “concierge” suggesting places to visit that you might not find in a guide book and perhaps introducing you to their friends and sharing a meal and/or drink with you. You, as the gracious guest, agree to clean up after yourself, do your dishes and not eat all their food.

Now my initial thought was “I don’t like having people I know stay at my house more than a few nights, why the hell would I invite a stranger?!?!” And, when I travel my partner and friends will attest to the fact that I prefer comfort to coaches. Then I heard myself “I want to be comfortable!” It hit me, that’s the point. Eliminating racism, building inclusion, celebrating diversity requires leaning in to discomfort. That’s a central tenant to my work. This is a perfect way to make a personal difference - travel or host with the intention of crossing some cultural boundary, be it geographic, ethnic, racial, generational, regional or linguistic.

When I shared this idea with Judy (a frequent guest on my couch) and said I was going to suggest it on the blog, I hadn’t fully embraced doing it myself. I was still in the place of offering it as a suggestion that folks in the Diversity Matters community might want to consider. Oy!

I then thought back to a central theme of our conversation with guests on the Diversity Matters radio show, best summarized by the story Yolanda King told on our first episode of Season Two about the man in one of her workplace sessions who learned to be a better ally and champion of inclusion by attending the weddings, bar mitzvahs and celebrations of his co-workers. He leaned into his discomfort and learned to dance the electric slide, the Hora and salsa and built more personal relationships with his co-workers and learned new ways of engaging others. While I know we need to go beyond the surface layer of dances and foods, what a wonderful way to connect with co-workers in a way that matters.

Then I went to the CouchSurfing website and read their mission:

"CouchSurfing seeks to internationally network people and places, create educational exchanges, raise collective consciousness, spread tolerance, and facilitate cultural understanding."

As a community we strive to do our individual and collective parts to make the world a better place, and we believe that the surfing of couches is a means to accomplish this goal. CouchSurfing isn't about the furniture- it's not just about finding free accommodations around the world- it's about participating in creating a better world. We strive to make a better world by opening our homes, our hearts, and our lives. We open our minds and welcome the knowledge that cultural exchange makes available. We create deep and meaningful connections that cross oceans, continents and cultures. CouchSurfing wants to change not only the way we travel, but how we relate to the world!

Okay, I’m hooked. Here’s my challenge and invitation, what are YOU going to do, that you wouldn’t normally do to promote inclusion, make a difference in the world and honor the spirit of the United Nation’s challenge that it’s up to use to eliminate everyday racism? Share your intentions, your successes and lessons learned.

I’m off to buy my first pair of pajamas! I’ll keep you posted.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Richard

Cultural Competence: Beyond the Buzz. Beyond Health Care.

Friends and Colleagues -

As the lines between nationalities, religions, languages, races, generations and perspectives become more blurred in the workplace and world at large, the concept of “cultural competence” as a tool for promoting inclusion has gained popularity. Some believe that cultural competence is imperative as more and more people live and work in cross-cultural contexts.

• Is cultural competence a required skill set for operating effectively in today’s global village or does it actually impede diversity and inclusion by putting people in boxes and reinforcing stereotypes that ignore within group diversity?


• Does the term “cultural competence” create too narrow an image focusing people on culture and ethnicity rather than other dimensions of diversity which also matter?


• Is cultural competence a tool for addressing disparities in health care, education and the workplace?

Join co-hosts Richard Friend and Judy Seidenstein this Friday, March 16, 2007 on Diversity Matters as they explore these and other questions regarding the growing field of cultural competence with their guest Howard Ross of Cook Ross Inc, a national leader in cultural competency training and consulting.

Given that both Mr. Ross’ roots as well as the origins of “cultural competence” are in health care, we examine specific tools that he has helped to create to support culturally competent health care delivery. We also examine the role of cultural competence in building equity and addressing disparities in other social systems such as education and the workplace.

Richard and Judy also discuss Howard’s use of “cultural competence” in helping organizations address “diversity emergencies.” Howard was hired by the Atlanta Braves to help them manage the aftermath of the infamous John Rocker incident, working directly with the Braves’ major and minor league players, training managers and coaches to be more diversity-sensitive, and culturally competent.

Join us as we talk with Howard Ross about Cultural Competence: Beyond the Buzz. Beyond Health Care. Tune in to Diversity Matters on Friday, March 16, 2007 at 10AM (eastern). Click here to listen live, or listen on demand at http://www.diversitymatters.info/.

Please tune in!

Richard Friend, Ph.D.
Co-Host

Nigeria's Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act

Yesterday on Diversity Matters our conversation aired with Akeem Bello, New Democrats’ candidate for Vice President of Nigeria on the Odidi-Bello campaign ticket. As I mentioned early in the show, as we prepared for our conversation with Akeem both Judy and I became painfully aware of how little we knew about the political scene in Nigeria. As part of our preparation, Mary Nations one of our producers shared some timely and troubling information about anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender legislation that is about to be passed in Nigeria.

Last week, bloggers across the globe were following a developing story about Nigeria’s proposed "Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act", which would imprison anyone who speaks out or forms a group supporting lesbian and gay people's rights, and would silence virtually any public discussion or visibility around lesbian and gay lives in Nigeria. For more details see afrol news.

Briefly, the resolution which had been introduced originally in January 2006 was dormant for months as Nigerian politicians were focusing on the nationwide elections in April. Human rights and LGBT activists in Nigeria were deliberately keeping a low profile about the bill since they believed it would garner little attention by law makers caught up in the personal and political conflicts of this year’s elections. The plan was to allow the bill to die on the vine without being considered or passed by Nigerian lawmakers.

The strategy appeared to be working until the silence was broken by British activist Peter Tatchell and his group OutRage! Tatchel began an international appeal to human rights groups worldwide "to take urgent action to press the Nigerian government to uphold international human rights law and to drop this draconian legislation." The bill that was all but dead now resurfaced and according to afrol news, “African gay rights groups were furious.” Tatchell was urged by several prominent activists to stay out of African LGBTI issues. According to certain African activists, afrol news reports that Tatchell’s “neo-colonial” behavior disrupted a domestic political strategy for LGBTI activists that was working. According to a letter sent to Tatchell, "You have proven that you have no respect for conveying the truth with regards to Africa or consulting African LGBTI leaders before carrying out campaigns that have severe consequences in our countries. You have betrayed our trust over and over again."

Given all of this, Judy and I were in a quandary. Should we raise the issue with Bello? If so, how do we do it in a way that promotes positive change in Nigeria and doesn’t simply seem to be opportunistic journalism? While we were fairly certain that Bello’s personal views would support LGBTI inclusion, if he publicly “came out” on this issue now, would it compromise his ability to be elected and make a larger and more positive impact on the social and political scene in Nigeria?

On the one hand in the service of open dialogue and the desire to build shared understanding, we thought it was an important conversation that should not be censored. On the other hand, we knew that the larger goal of supporting a politician who has the potential to bring a unifying vision based on inclusion to a political environment which has been historically exclusive, sectarian and oppressive mattered more than addressing an issue that has already received a lot of attention in the press.

Also, as professionals in the field of diversity and inclusion, we know how important it is in building understanding and creating alliances to support a common vision, that individuals not assume they know what’s best for others. Using an oppression paradigm, this means the dominant group must recognize that given the “privilege” of certain types of power, assuming you know what’s best for the “other” often leads to unintended negative consequences – like those experienced by British activist Peter Tatchell.

So we decided to check in with our guests. Just before the interview, we asked Akeem about the situation and he said, “On this side of the Atlantic, there is nothing to be gained by having this discussion right now.” We decided to err in the direction of “less is more” and trust Akeem’s first hand understanding of the political scene in Nigeria – after all, that is his expertise, not ours.

To be honest, we continue to be ambivalent about our decision and wonder if there would have been a way to discuss the situation without compromising Akeem’s candidacy or “colonial-izing” the conversation. What do you think? Did we make the right choice? How might we have approached this differently? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

Stay Tuned,

Richard Friend, Ph.D.
Co-Host

Akeem Bello (VP Candidate of Nigeria) and Thelma Horton (Proj Mgr with Stop Hunger Now): Bringing Abundance, Prosperity and Peace to Nigeria

Dear Friends and Colleagues -

Nigeria is a nation of great contradictions. It’s the 8th largest oil producing country in the world, yet almost 75% of its refineries are shut down. Nigerians are individuals who embody pride and courage, yet their nation has become characterized by corruption, ethnocentrism and sectarianism. Akeem Bello, however, has a vision for unifying Nigeria into one nation, with shared values and purpose, where merit comes first before privilege. On this episode of Diversity Matters, join co-hosts Richard Friend and Judy Seidenstein as Mr. Bello discusses how his vision for Nigeria is a model for inclusion from which businesses, organizations, communities and the rest of the world can learn.

Akeem shares how he was “called home” to Nigeria after living in the United States in order to “Bring Nigeria into a Newer Dawn.” Bello founded the Grace Medical Centre in 1990 which provides needed medical care to the poorest populations in Lagos. Now, as the New Democrats’ (ND) candidate for Vice President on the Odidi-Bello campaign ticket, Akeem Bello strives to unify Nigeria as a tool for promoting inclusion throughout the region, nation, continent and the world.

Judy and Richard also discuss the humanitarian efforts of Thelma Horton, who as Project Manager with Stop Hunger Now is mobilizing efforts to bring 100,000 meals to impoverished school children in Kanu Nigeria. By feeding the children during school, Stop Hunger Now creates an incentive for parents to send both boys and girls to school by guaranteeing them a hot, nourishing meal each day. In this way, both the inequity of hunger and education are addressed.

Given Diversity Matters’ commitment to building connections between the workplace and the world at large, Akeem Bellow and Thelma Horton share how their independent strategies for positive change in a nation with as many challenges as Nigeria can contribute to the quality of life for us all.

Join us as we talk with Akeem Bello and Thelma Horton about Bringing Abundance, Prosperity and Peace to Nigeria. Tune in to Diversity Matters on Friday, March 9, 2007 at 10AM (eastern) or listen on demand at http://www.diversitymatters.info/.

Please tune in!

Richard Friend, Ph.D.
Co-Host

Yolanda King, Inclusion in Nigeria, Lesbian and Gay People in the Military and the "N" Word!

Dear Friends and Colleagues –

Yolanda King
A lot has been happening and there has been much in the news this week that matters. The feedback we’ve received about the first episode of season 2 with our guest Yolanda King (see February 27, 2007 blog entry) has been overwhelming. So many people have emailed us saying how much they appreciated the opportunity to personally connect with Ms. King. One listener wrote, “That was a brilliant show. Yolanda was very personable, and you really connected with her, with your questions and the style of interacting with her. I like the laughter... I particularly liked it when she talked about what is in her book, and the stuff she did (with her life coach) to overcome her demon's, live her full life, or recognize her inherent worth. It was touching and really helped me connect not only with her 'diversity' content, but with her as an individual.”

We encourage others to share their reactions and offer comments here on the blog. If you did not get a chance to listen to the show with Yolanda King live, please go to the Diversity Matters archive and click on episode one of season two (you can download it to your computer or mp3 player, or listen to it directly from the link).

We do apologize for the technical glitchs that caused about 45 seconds of “dead” time before the show started. The studio also messed up by playing our three different commercials back to back during each break rather than having one commercial per break. We plan on having that fixed for next week.

Diversity Matters explores Inclusion in Nigeria
Speaking of next week – we’re working on a very exciting show which I’ll tell you more about in my next blog entry. But here’s the teaser. Given our intention of drawing connections between diversity and inclusion in the world of work and the world at large, next week’s episode (March 9, 2007) will focus on efforts to bring Abundance, Prosperity and Peace to Nigeria. Our guests include Akeem Bello, who is the New Democrats’ (ND) candidate for Vice President on the Odidi-Bello campaign ticket. Mr. Bello strives to unify Nigeria as a tool for promoting inclusion throughout the region, nation, continent and the world.

Also joining us will be Thelma Horton whose humanitarian efforts as Project Manager with Stop Hunger Now is mobilizing efforts to bring 100,000 meals to impoverished school children in Kanu Nigeria. By feeding the children during school, Stop Hunger Now creates an incentive for parents to send both boys and girls to school by guaranteeing them a hot, nourishing meal each day. In this way, both the inequity of hunger and education are addressed. Stay tuned for more information about this show. In the mean time, share your questions or comments here on the blog or send them to us at richardandjudy@diversitymatters.info

Lesbian and Gay People in the Military
Sgt. Eric Alva, the first U.S. soldier to be injured in the Iraq war testified in favor of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act a bill to enhance the readiness of the Armed Forces by replacing the current policy concerning homosexuality in the Armed Forces, referred to as “Don't Ask, Don't Tell”, with a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Sgt. Alva a proud gay marine was severely wounded March 21, 2003 when he stepped on a land mine in southern Iraq. Surgeons eventually amputated the marathon runner's right leg at the knee.

The "N" Word
New York City Council passed a resolution that would symbolically ban the “N-word.” The resolution encourages New Yorkers not to use the word and to become educated about its racist history. While I personally do not favour censorship, I believe hate speech is a weapon that cannot be ignored if we truly believe in inclusion. In fact, a group of individuals who describe themselves “as individuals who just got tired and fed up with the passive acceptance, code of silence, nonchalance, and the there’s-nothing-we-can-do-about-it attitude from way too many educators, professionals, entertainers, and just your average citizen about the constant use of the N-word. Has the overwhelming use of this word really empowered anyone or taken the power out of its oppressive origins for such complacency?” have formed an organization called Ban the N Word. Tell us what you think about efforts to legislate this sort of speech. Is it promoting inclusion or censorship?

Thanks again for all the continued support. Please send email, participate in the blog and listen to the show, because Diversity DOES Matter.

Stay tuned,
Richard Friend, Ph.D.
Co-Host