Category: Point of View

Cultivating a Kapwa Consciousness: Decoloniality in Equity Work

The future of diversity management incorporates an Indigenous consciousness, a way of knowing and being distinct from the normative Western approach. The concept of “kapwa” is defined as a “recognition of a shared identity, an inner self, shared with others.” Because kapwa is rooted in my own heritage and tradition, it is a way to orient myself away from notions of othering and competition. But more than that, it is a powerful tool for fostering collaboration.

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Ways Employers Can Support Their LGBTQ+ Employees During Election Season

“This should be mailed to every leadership team and HR leader in the country. To many, this is an election. To our LGBTQ+ folks, it’s trauma on trauma.” A connection of mine on LinkedIn commented that on a post I created about how employers can support their LGBTQ+ employees during election season. I can’t help but agree. Not only because I wrote the post with leadership teams and HR leaders in mind, but because I’ve never received any kind of support during election season while at work. As an openly queer, nonbinary, transgender, biracial person, I could use it. And I know many others can too.

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Why Parental Mental Health and Well-Being Is a Critical Public Health Issue — and How Employers Can Help

There are many reasons I look forward to autumn in New York. I intentionally keep these experiences top of mind because this time of year can also be very stressful for me — particularly when it comes to sending my son back to school and navigating the complexities of special education. Whenever there’s a transition in services, whether it’s specific to preschool or turning 5, it involves marshaling what feels like a village of people to ensure that everyone does their part.

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A Point of View: Reclaiming Power in Spaces of (Un)Belonging

Recently, I have been reflecting on the idea of belonging and how to cultivate spaces where people feel appreciated, affirmed, and dignified. Personally, I have never felt a strong sense of belonging in most spaces I’ve had to navigate. This also speaks true to my experiences where safety and belonging are assumed — rather than something that needs to be carved out and intentionally nurtured. After all, you cannot truly belong in spaces that aren’t designed for you.

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A Point of View: Advocacy for the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community at Work

Recently, during a virtual conversation with a colleague, she asked me about the pronouns beside my name. As a cisgender woman, I explained that “siya” is a Tagalog non-gendered pronoun that applies to all people. In addition to “she,” I include “we” in my list of pronouns to show solidarity for normalizing nonbinary and inclusive uses of we, they, and them.

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A Point of View: The Alphabet Soup of Gender and Sexuality

As if gender and sexuality weren’t complicated enough, the issues around them become even more complex when you consider all the diverse communities that have aligned themselves in what is often called the “alphabet soup” of the queer community. What was once called simply “gays and lesbians” morphed into “GLB” (for gay, lesbian, and bisexual) and soon after became “LGBT” (to include transgender people). The letters, along with the new identities they signify, just keep coming. Often, when I’m discussing gender and sexuality with a friendly audience, I’ll rattle off the acronym “2SLGBTQQIAA+” just to get a response … and will then proceed to break down the whole thing.

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A Point of View: Being the Nerdy Black Person

I’m a higher education professional, a future college president, a father, and a self-proclaimed nerd. To be nerdy in my eyes is Family Matters’ Jaleel White as Steve Urkel: suspenders, glasses, a funny voice, and everyone making fun of you for being different. It’s also being openly intelligent, a problem solver, and knowledgeable about things other people don’t care about.

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A Point of View: A Black Professional’s Guide to Powerful Networking

The professional landscape is competitive, with countless qualified individuals vying for the same opportunities. As someone affected by a layoff last year, I dove headfirst into this dynamic environment, armed with ambition and a freshly minted perspective. However, the harsh reality of a competitive job market quickly set in. My initial job search felt like pushing a boulder uphill — applications met radio silence, and interviews offered limited progress.

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A Point of View: Navigating the Complexities of Culturally Attuned Coaching for BIPOC Leaders

In the evolving landscape of executive and leadership coaching, a critical gap has become increasingly apparent — a gap that neglects the rich diversity of cultural backgrounds. Traditional coaching models, anchored in dominant cultural norms, frequently fail to address the nuanced needs of leaders from diverse cultural identities, particularly leaders of color. This oversight not only diminishes the effectiveness of coaching but can also result in adverse outcomes for those being coached and can affect leaders’ willingness and ability to meet the expanding needs of their businesses.

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Racial Justice at Work: Practical Solutions for Systemic Change

Racial Justice at Work book cover

Black Fatigue: How Racism Erodes the Mind, Body, and Spirit

Inclusive Conversations: Fostering Equity, Empathy and Belonging Across Differences

We Can’t Talk About That At Work! (Second Edition)

Cover of the book We Can't Talk about That at Work (Second Edition) by Mary-Frances Winters and Mareisha N Reese

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