Beyoncé’s Renaissance Film Brilliantly Showcases The Power Of Diversity

As someone who attended the renaissance tour twice, I was still wholly unprepared for the revelations the film brought forth for me. I saw myself literally featured in a surprising cameo , and figuratively in the faces of every Black queer dancer and performer. As someone who has built their career advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion, I also felt seen by the world Beyoncé created that seamlessly blends music, theater, dance and storytelling. Renaissance: a film by Beyoncé is a tapestry of identities and ideas that brilliantly depicts elements of an exemplary work environment where inclusion reigns supreme. The film opened at number one in the US and the tour is one of the highest grossing tours of all-time -- positioning diversity not as a challenge but as a required ingredient for success, kinda like having hot sauce in your bag.

As a DEI leader, I’ve often encountered skepticism or resistance from those who view diversity initiatives as mere political correctness and by doing so discount that proper commitment to DEI provides a strategic advantage for an organization's goals and often correlates with outperformance . For months the tour has been praised for its inclusion of dancers and musicians of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds but in the film we learn the lens of inclusivity extends beyond what is immediately visible on stage. The performers work in concert with an equally diverse team of people off stage to build and execute the final production each night. Beyoncé remarks early in the film that she has never been part of a production of this magnitude that had so many women as we see the camera cut to shots where scores of women are hurriedly assembling the behemoth of a stage before showtime. As workplaces continue to struggle with inclusive policies and processes connected to supporting parents and caregivers, specifically expecting mothers at work, the film effectively depicts Beyoncé celebrating trumpeter Crystal Torres as she informs the singer that she is pregnant and still wants to be part of the tour–a lesson in leadership that so many can learn from. It is well documented that diverse teams perform better and with Renaissance we see this play out on and off the stage.?

As star, producer, and director of the film Beyoncé’s candid interviews delve into the challenges of being a Black woman in the workplace, especially one in a leadership role. We see her frustration with having her choices second guessed, being gaslit, or her opinions being overlooked because she is both Black and a woman, a sentiment that has been expressed by women , and specifically women of color in workplaces around the world. And like many women she navigates those challenges with unfettered determination in real time as she pushes her teammates and employees to execute her vision for the intricate set design. By sharing this rare behind the scenes glimpse of herself as Beyoncé the boss, she provides a compelling illustration of the cultural barriers present for women in leadership roles. This prompted many, including Ava Duvernay, to reveal it also echoes their own experiences. If Beyoncé, one of the most-awarded entertainers of all-time finds herself being subjected to gender bias and intersecting racial bias, it is a reminder that we must all do more to confront our biases and support women and even more, Black women in the workplace.??

Renaissance is meant to shine a light on the Black LGBTQ+ community and celebrate the many facets of our experience unapologetically. In perhaps the most emotional segment of the film, Beyoncé and her mother discuss her Uncle Jonny, a Black gay man who died of AIDS and who was a source of inspiration for the Renaissance album. As a Black queer man myself, I was floored, humbled, and quite emotional to be included in this section of the film. Beyoncé did not merely make a passing reference to the influences of Black queer culture — she hired countless LGBTQ+ people to be a part of the project. This put capital directly into the hands of the community Renaissance is meant to uplift. Yet another example companies can follow — put money behind values. What’s more, and likely an overlooked element of the film's contribution is how the narratives and experiences of Beyoncé and Tina Knowles’ relationship with Uncle Johnny helps to destigmatize ongoing stereotypes and vile realities of the experiences people living with HIV/AIDS face every single day. HIV/AIDS continues to disproportionately impact Black and LGBTQ+ communities and stigma contributes to a culture of silence and shame hindering treatment and prevention. To have one of the most prominent celebrities in the world dedicate her largest project to date to someone who lived with the virus helps create greater visibility for the cause.?

Building equity requires people in positions of authority to mobilize their privilege and resources in ways that amplify the experiences of those lacking either. Beyoncé makes it clear this can be accomplished with intention and without sacrificing profitability. I’ve witnessed firsthand how organizations that prioritize diversity cultivate an environment of belonging and collaboration that fuels achievement. But getting diversity right takes time. As Beyoncé explains it took four years to bring all the right components together for the tour to come to life. For diversity leaders looking to help an organization overcome decades of cultural and systemic bias requires the same patience.?

Beyoncé shows throughout the film that she is both a mentor and a sponsor. She acknowledges the incredible contributions that women before her like the incomparable Tina Turner and Diana Ross have made to pave the way for artists like her, breaking barriers and challenging the status quo and we see her proudly doing the same thing elevating and empowering Black voices by giving platforms to artists like Kendrick Lamar, Megan Thee Stallion, Big Freedia and so many others. This is a nod to the fact that DEI is everybody’s job, but it starts at the top.?

To create an environment that is a microcosm of the real world, highlighting the beauty that arises when individuals from different walks of life come together will not happen overnight. But if Beyoncé has taught us one thing it is that it is surely worth the wait.??