Strategies for Engaging White Men as Allies in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Work

For far too long, white men have been centered, advantaged, and treated as the "standard" or "norm" in workplace structures and cultures. This is not surprising, considering that the same forces are at play in the wider systems in which we all work, live, and play. The systemic inequities both perpetuate and are reinforced by assumptions and biases about white men. As DEI work aims to move societies and workplaces forward into a new paradigm where all people are valued and where equity is finally established, how can we engage white men to be allies and even co-conspirators in the effort? This presentation will explore strategies for calling white men in to this work and getting them invested in dismantling the structures and cultures that have produced the inequity.

Learning Objectives:

• Gain a deep understanding of the ways that structures, cultures, and interactions include some groups and exclude others, sometimes in the most subtle of ways.
• Explore our own biases and habits regarding identity, privilege, and biases that we may bring to DEI work. 
• Learn strategies for engaging white men (and others) in workplace DEI initiatives.
• Add concrete tools to your toolkit of interactive inclusively with everyone and supporting truly inclusive and equitable workplaces.