Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DE&I)
Our Philosophy
The DEI Consulting Group was formed to address disparities that exist in many organizations. In today’s climate, there is a need for advanced knowledge of the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Our DEI experts are top-notch in the field of DEI, bringing together scientific research, academic scholarship, cutting-edge data, and paradigms, as well as the wisdom of lived experience. All our consultants represent historically marginalized groups; therefore, we approach the work from a very personal and intimate perspective. Our team has a collective mission to grow diverse organizations anchored on equity and inclusion who will boldly move beyond initiatives to full integration into the DNA of the organization’s culture.
Our Expertise
Our team has developed and executed comprehensive analyses of more than 30 national and international organizations including professional associations, educational institutions, corporations, and nonprofits, among others. The DEI team is proposing a unique blend of qualitative and quantitative research, training, and reporting for a full assessment of DEI. This involves completing a racial justice (diversity) audit, identifying strengths and weaknesses, creating a common language for organizational culture, and providing recommendations for embedding racial equity into sustainable practice and policy.
Our Approach
We believe that cultural transformation is possible. Our team focuses its consulting work on an effective set of core values:
Defining Diversity
Before focusing on analytics, it’s essential to come up with a definition of diversity. Particularly, since studies have shown that the inclusion of a diversified workforce (race, ethnicity, gender, ability, sexual orientation, religion, and age) can drive productivity and workplace satisfaction.
Dynamic Culture
Choosing the right area of culture development is essential for building a successful DEI culture. Whether you begin by assessing employee perception, climate, talent acquisition, career advancement, retention, satisfaction, well-being, or pay equity, we will help create a plan that fits your needs based on where you fall on the DEI spectrum.
Thought Partnership
We fundamentally believe in the power of shared ideas and experiences with our partners to help them navigate complex challenges associated with the integration of DEI work. As experts, we offer a breadth of information, a depth of knowledge, and a way of processing that encourages and inspires divergent thinking and action. We are committed to our partners who are curious, asking questions, and/or seeking clarity. Our team strives to create a space where we offer support and safety, ask powerful questions, promote accountability, and show up with patience as we embark on a transformative journey. As good thought partners, we act as a catalyst for clarity, confidence, and change.
Our Consulting Verticals
Diversity & Inclusion Audits
Through a series of prescribed audit activities (discovery calls, focus groups, policy, procedures reviews, etc.), we gain a better understanding and insight into the organization’s legacy practices. These activities will help us develop a robust equity road map inclusive of data review, current challenges and opportunities, recommendations for capacity building, and strategy planning.
Equity Capacity Building
Our team works closely with organizational leadership, board members, employees, and stakeholders among other constituents to build knowledge, implement the equity road map, and create a sustainable equity plan. In addition, we acknowledge and incorporate the existing organization culture uniquely and any work that may be currently underway to promote efficiency in service delivery. Capacity building and thought partnership involve various training opportunities, small-group and one-on-one coaching, and leadership development.
Justice Sustainability
All our consulting is tailored to the individual needs of each client. Our sustainability plan provides expert recommendations for culturally relevant policies and procedures, a review of inclusive language in communication practices across the organization, human resource systems related to supervision and bias reporting, recruitment and retention of diverse staff, inclusive representation of staff in leadership, workplace transparency, the creation of advisory groups when appropriate, and overall cultural transformation.
Racial Trauma – Urban Trauma® Framework
The three key components that contribute to the development of Urban Trauma®: historical, biological, and environmental. By engaging with these components, we work closely with organizations to better understand the impact racism has on BIPOC individuals – not just in instances of explicit racism but also in the everyday encounters with unconscious and implicit biases. Our focus on racial trauma allows for BIPOC staff to have an open and safe space where they can process their trauma resulting from incidents of unwarranted acts of racism.
Allyship
We use the Allyship Identity Model to identify and work with non-BIPOC individuals that are committed to inclusion. Our approach is to create authentic conversations around White allyship and antiracism approaches. We courageously embrace dialogue on race, race relations, and intersectionality. Our team of DEI experts create brave spaces to enable dynamic and collaborative work teams. The courageous dialogues lend an invitation to all racial identities to come together with the intention of working collectively toward undoing racial divides.
Specialty Area
Social Justice
Our social justice specialty area focuses on the psychological underpinnings that cause racially motivated toxic stress in work settings. We anchor our work in identifying the multiple iterations of oppressive and discriminatory practices supported by structural and systemic racism. Through consulting with our team, Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) working community are able to better understand their racial trauma and move toward a growth mindset. In addition, those that are prepared to engage in anti-racism work will have an opportunity to learn concrete tools that will support growth and development in the allyship process: