2020 was a year like no other.

The pandemic and the murders of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd opened the eyes of many who previously didn’t see or understand the challenges of living while Black in America & throughout the world.

This awakening led to Black and non-Black people of color sharing their negative and traumatic experiences in public forums online and in their workplaces. Hearing these stories of hardship and pain led employers to release public statements committing to do better for their employees and for their communities at large.

Unfortunately, a year later, not much progress has been made. Women of color still earn less than their White women and their male counterparts. People of color are still severely underrepresented in the executive levels of business. Companies still complain that they cannot find and/or retain candidates of color. And employees of color are quitting their jobs rather than returning in-person to offices due to microaggressive, toxic workplace culture.

As a HR pro still working a full-time job while running BuzzARooney, this lack of progress breaks my heart & my spirit. It is exhausting and traumatizing to experience first-hand and to see & hear the struggles employees from traditionally marginalized identities are facing in the workplace. At times, it feels an insurmountable problem to overcome.

Then I think about my ancestors and the historical figures who I admire … how much they faced and overcame so I could have a path that was just a little easier.

And I think about my own children and my nieces & nephews and the children of all the people that I love … how much they deserve for me to leave the world of work and the world at large better than I found it for them. 3 of my 5 children have entered the workforce in some capacity already; the remaining 2 aren’t far behind them. I want to model better behavior and create better options for them.

And I think about my legacy … how I want my work and its impact to speak for me when I ultimately reach the place where I don’t have to work anymore. How much I want my name and my work to be associated with the good that comes from fighting for equity, justice, acceptance, kindness, compassion, empathy, helpfulness, and love.

And I can’t give up. Even though it feels impossible and insurmountable and unattainable, I can’t give up.

Neither should you.

I’m sure you feel badly at dropping the ball on your commitment to DEI. And you’re probably afraid to admit that you messed up and that you don’t know what to do — or that you didn’t know where to even start because the problem felt as insurmountable to you as it does to me.

It’s ok. It’s arguably normal in the area of DEI strategy … Just don’t give up. Hit reset instead.

Back in June, I led a fantastic 1-hour webinar with Workhuman on this subject. Me and my co-facilitator Dr. Meisha-Ann Martin gave a practical, easy to follow framework to get you back on track if you missed the mark. Download the webinar HERE — and take lots of notes.

Also, I have a FREE checklist that you can use to get your company re-started on the path to successful DEI strategy. Join my BuzzARooney Hive newsletter list HERE — and I’ll send you the download within 24 hours! 

Lastly, I am accepting new clients for consulting and coaching in this area. Email me at hello@buzzarooneyllc.com to get more information!