This Black History Month, consider how DEI impacts your staff’s health and wellness - Beth’s Corner

I wish you all a happy Black History Month, with space for reflection and movement building. This year's official Black History Month theme is Black Health and Wellness. It is a call for us to examine the disparities in health outcomes, to take action not just for our own health but for the health of our communities, and to champion Black health and wellness leaders.

Earlier this month, I spoke with?Pride In Our Workplace?about Black History Month, and shared an experience that has shaped how I approach equity and inclusion within the workplace. Early on in my career, I worked at an?institution with a toxic work culture, which made me question myself and how I showed up at work. I ended up getting physically sick and my doctor told me it was?stress -- not due to the stress of the work, but due to the daily micro- and macroaggressions I was experiencing. From then on, I knew I needed to help lead work that helps organizations create healthier work environments.

Unfortunately, this experience is not unique. It is?well documented?that experiencing racism contributes to a decline in one's mental and physical health. This, and the inequities within our healthcare system, are why we see disparities in health outcomes, including?lower life expectancies?for Black and Latinx Americans.?

So, I urge you to consider broader health implications as you approach your equity and inclusion work. Focusing on diversity alone?won't work if?the culture surrounding your organization is damaging. Instead, hold open and honest conversations about work stressors and move forward from there.

While on this topic of Black health and wellness, I wanted to uplift a few of Boston's leaders in this space. Ashley Mitchell, a local fitness instructor and a 2020 Stand Against Racism curator, created a?discussion guide?around diversity in the fitness industry.?And don't miss?TRILLFIT, the Black-owned hip hop fitness studio that we featured in one of our annual Small Biz?Maps.

Please take time this and every month to ask yourself-How am I contributing to a less toxic work environment and how am I supporting Boston's Black health and wellness community

Warmly,

Beth Chandler

President & CEO, YW Boston