Accomplishments
We don’t usually boast about our accomplishments. It’s impolite, it’s conceited, and we were always taught from our elders to keep our heads down and be humble.
Yet there are times when we need to speak up and make some noise - in bad times, but in good ones, too.
That’s why I’m incredibly honoured to be included on Manage HR Magazine's list of Top 10 Canada Emerging Diversity and Inclusion Companies. All Things Equitable appears alongside some of our friends and colleagues such as Tidal Equality, Inclusifyy, and Strasity Inc..
Being on this list is so meaningful because of how the list is structured. The editors at Manage HR take diversity, equity, and inclusion seriously. This was not a cursory overview of some of the companies out there. Instead, Manage HR put together a carefully curated, thoughtful list of some of the real changemakers in the industry - and we are proud to be among them.
Humility is important, but this business was borne out of refusing to stay silent. After George Floyd’s death in 2020, I knew that things needed to change, and sensed that companies were finally ready to start breaking down some of those systemic barriers.
There’s a long way to go. I still routinely encounter leaders who do not realize how hard it is for marginalized employees to get ahead in a company, and who still think that racism, ableism, homophobia, and sexism are a thing of the past. Some even think that microaggressions are blown out of proportion.
The truth is that not only are these still a daily concern, but paying attention to something like #DEI can be a demonstration of true leadership. Having a DEI policy in place, or committing to regular DEI training and coaching shows that you care about the issues which, even if they’re not impacting you personally, are likely impacting people that you care about.
Everybody wins when there’s a level playing field. Creating equity for all sorts of marginalized groups - whether based on race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other criteria - means that everyone can have an opportunity to succeed in the workplace.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you to Manage HR for paying attention to DEI, and for recognizing those of us on the ground doing the work every single day. You can find Manage HR’s profile of All Things Equitable on page 30 of their latest issue.
About Janelle Benjamin: Janelle Benjamin, B.A., J.D., is the Founder & Chief Equity Officer of All Things Equitable Inc. helping employers make workplaces more diverse, inclusive, and safe for equity-seeking groups. Learn more about Janelle and how she can help you!
