Elevating Equity’s Post

“I fundamentally believe that influence has two key dimensions. Number one is that it has to be reciprocal. You have to be open to being influenced as much as you are trying to influence. The second is that you have to know when it’s best to influence directly or empower others to influence and carry the critical messages.” Today we are honored to recognize Allan Golston as a Chief Influencer! Allan Golston serves as the President of the United States Program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The foundation is committed to enhancing educational opportunities and promoting equitable academic and economic outcomes for all students, with a focus on those from low-income backgrounds and students of color. Alan's distinctive approach is based on the power of influence through reciprocity, authenticity, and storytelling. In today's episode, he explores his career path from public accounting to philanthropy, the significance of building trusted partnerships, the evolution of leadership styles, and the use of digital platforms like LinkedIn for reciprocal influence. Stay tuned to gain valuable insights on balancing data-driven decision-making with personal storytelling to drive meaningful change, and learn about the importance of building authentic connections in both personal and professional spheres. Watch or listen to the full conversation using the links in the comments! #Equity #equality #inclusion #Leadership #Philanthropy #Education Chief Influencer is presented by Social Driver and The Communications

This past week, I had the profound honor of stepping into iconic spaces like IBM HQ in NYC and the United Nations, including a day in the Trusteeship Council Chambers, to attend the Hispanic Leadership Summit organized by The Hispanic Star and the We Are All Human Foundation. The summit was a celebration of empowerment, unity, and the collective contributions of underrepresented communities. We explored: 💵 The economic and cultural power of Latinos driving growth and innovation. 🤝🏽 Strategies to ensure equity and representation in leadership, entrepreneurship, and public policy. 🫶🏽 Bold initiatives uniting us around principles of action, advocacy, and community impact. As I stood in these historic spaces, I reflected on my own journey—from growing up as a child of migrant farm workers, laboring alongside my family in the fields, to serving as a director at two incredible companies, where I help shape strategies and advocate for inclusion. The gravity of this transformation is not lost on me. It’s a testament to the sacrifices of our ancestors and the resilience instilled in our community, intertwined with the power of opportunity. It’s also a call to action for all of us. I pledge to champion representation for all underrepresented voices, to elevate contributions across every community, and to build a legacy of equity and opportunity for future generations. If a kid who spent summers working in the fields can one day step into the halls of the UN and sit amongst titans of equality and advancement like Claudia Romo Edelman and Dr. Juan Andrade, Jr., imagine the possibilities that await the next generation when we come together to create systemic change. Let’s turn our shared strength into action, ensuring no one is left behind. Together, we rise. #Leadership #Inclusion #Equity #RepresentationMatters #LoNuestroEsPoderoso

We don't know about you, but one thing about our community? We’re passionate about challenging the status quo and breaking down the barriers that hold back progress and perpetuate inequalities. Our strength lies in our collective courage, creativity, and determination to forge a more inclusive and equitable world. Every day, our young leaders come together to push boundaries and advocate for justice. It's this shared commitment that fuels our work and keeps us moving forward. We’re not just talking about change—we’re making it happen, one step at a time. #socialjustice #youngleaders #socialimpact

Allyship is not just about words; it is about taking action, making a difference, and transforming the environment around us. True allyship involves actively standing up for and supporting marginalized communities. It means using our privilege to amplify the voices of those who are often silenced, to create a more inclusive and equitable world for everyone. Allyship is a continuous journey of learning, unlearning, and taking steps to dismantle systemic injustices. By being a proactive ally, we can contribute to positive change and make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. #genius #geniusiscommon #whatisyourwhy #leadership #diversity #belonging #positiveintelligence #Allyship https://wix.to/fZjimtE

Empowering the Next Generation of Civic Leaders Excited to see Vice President Kamala Harris inspiring young civic leaders in Maryland today! The call for change is loud and clear, resonating with the urgency felt by the youth across the political spectrum. In this pivotal moment for America, the need for a new wave of civic problem-solvers is evident. Generation Z is ready to step up and lead, addressing critical issues like economic security, climate change, identity, and reproductive rights. However, to effectively tackle these challenges, they need spaces to hone their skills, build confidence, and forge networks for impactful change. At the Institute for Citizens & Scholars, we are dedicated to reshaping campuses, workplaces, and communities into vibrant centers for civic leadership and problem-solving. And the results speak for themselves: hundreds of young leaders are already making meaningful change, improving communities across the country. Let's invest in this next generation of leaders, investing in their potential to shape a brighter tomorrow. They are not waiting for the future—they’re building it. #CivicLeadership #NextGeneration

Yesterday, I had the incredible privilege of attending a Juneteenth event featuring the inspiring Dr. Opal Lee, often referred to as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth." Her presence and words were both powerful and humbling, reminding us of the significance of Juneteenth. Dr. Lee shared two quotes that resonated deeply with me: "Make yourself a committee of one to change someone’s mind" and "Remember, July 4th freed the land, Juneteenth freed the people." These sentiments encapsulate the essence of Juneteenth and offer profound lessons for both personal and professional growth. Reflecting on "Make yourself a committee of one to change someone’s mind," I am reminded of the power of individual action in driving change. In our work, we often encounter moments where we can influence perspectives and promote inclusivity. By committing to educate, empathize, and advocate for equity, each of us can play a pivotal role in fostering a more inclusive and understanding workplace. The statement "July 4th freed the land, Juneteenth freed the people" underscores the importance of recognizing and celebrating freedom and justice for all. As leaders, it's crucial to ensure that our teams not only feel valued but also empowered. This means actively creating spaces where every voice is heard, and every individual has the opportunity to thrive. Incorporating these principles into our work and leadership development involves: 1. Active Listening and Empathy: Taking the time to understand the experiences and challenges of others, and using that understanding to inform our actions. 2. Educational Initiatives: Promoting continuous learning about diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organizations. 3. Advocacy, Allyship, and being a co-conspirator: Standing up for what is right, even when it's difficult, and supporting those who face injustice. Let’s honor Juneteenth by making a personal commitment to drive positive change, one conversation, and one action at a time. #Juneteenth #Leadership #Inclusion #OpalLee #Diversity #Equity #ChangeMakers #USCG #DHS #TechPride #LeadershipDevelopment

Happy Wednesday!! There’s nothing like waking up to see another day and witness transformation in real-time. When we start with strengths at the forefront of our inclusion journey to create opportunities, we are eager to leverage strengths to face conflict. Here are a few tips to foster conflict transformation when creating inclusion: --- Notate that there is a conflict. Often, raising awareness could provide footing. --- Notice the common ground associated with being passionate about a stance. Great! You both have something in common. 😊 --- Here is where some critical thinking comes into play: argue for the opposing point of view. Think about the world from their perspective. I learned this last step while completing my dissertation. I could keep my stance while also recognizing why others didn’t agree with it. It minimized my resistance and allowed me to reconcile my discomfort. It was transformational for me! Enjoy your day!  #Bridgingthegap #joyofinclusion #transformationalleadership #strengthbasedinclusion #SWORDInclusionSystem #PhaseThreeOpportunityPlanning

Be the Change Consulting is a woman of color-owned and operated company. We specialize in equity & inclusion, youth development, organizational capacity building, and strategic planning. Rooted in Oakland, CA since 2012, Be the Change Consulting was sparked by the question- who ARE these systems working for?! And we got to work. Be the Change Consulting is the real deal. We create brave learning spaces and catalyze change. Here’s how: ✔️Our process is intentional ✔️We solve problems together ✔️We teach by being and doing ✔️We encourage cascading leadership ✔️We combine theory with practice ✔️We experiment and refine ideas Check out our website to learn more and get you and your team involved in professional and personal growth: https://lnkd.in/gxpxcqkz Video Credit: Stefanie Small, Thank you for your incredible work! #DEI #DiversityandInclusion #Equality #LeadFromWithin #diversitymatters #allyship #education #inclusionmatters #representationmatters #socialjustice #belonging

Do you experience white leaders having the ability to navigate racial power dynamics in a way that brings racial equity and inclusion? Why is this important? In the United States, we experience inequitable outcomes by race in every sector, including health, education, and housing, just to name a few. This is unconscionable. How can we white people hold leadership roles without having deep, personal consciousness of our racial identity and its impacts? https://lnkd.in/g8K6hCwE

“DEI” vs Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (3 of 4) The following definitions are from my perspective and represent the way I use them in my practice. Notice what comes up for you as you read them. How close or far away are they from the definitions you have learned?  Let's talk about INCLUSION! INCLUSION is not just about inviting more diversity to the metaphorical table. If the table is full of different people but the decisions being made only benefit the decision-makers then, we have done nothing! Practicing inclusion includes three things. 1) INVITE people into spaces that are missing their perspective. Be clear about your invitation and disclose the goals of having them there. 2) ASK them about their experience and then LISTEN to what they share. Notice when you feel the need to "chime in" with your own experiences. Practice accepting their experience as truth for them! 3) CHANGE the way you are doing things based on what was shared by those you invited in to the space. Allow their input to influence your decision-making. BONUS: Inclusion is self-reported! No one can determine that another person or group feels included without first going through these steps! Here's an example... Step 1: We are looking to develop housing programs in rural Minnesota. All of our current committee members live in urban areas. We would like to invite you to be a part of our committee so that we can include perspectives of people who actually live in the areas that will be impacted. Step 2: Please tell us the most important thing we should know about housing conditions in your area. (This is when you just listen and take really good notes). Step 3: Thanks for sharing! We will be in touch with our plan to move forward with this program. We would love for you to review our plan and offer feedback before we roll it out. (This is when you actually do the thing and follow up!) Bonus: We have implemented our plan based on your feedback and initial sharing. Now that you have participated in our program, what was that like for you? #DEI #GenderJustice #RacialJustice #Equity #Justice #LeadershipDevelopment #Selfawareness