Bold, Brilliant, Badass Newsletter – The First Edition of 2025!

Resilience, Responsibility, and the Road Ahead in DEI

Welcome to the first Bold, Brilliant, Badass Newsletter of 2025! As we step into a new year, the DEI landscape reminds us of a fundamental truth: progress is not a straight path, but a series of bold choices, shared responsibilities, and unwavering resilience.

This week’s stories highlight the challenges and triumphs of DEI practitioners, allies, and advocates as they navigate setbacks, demand accountability, and push for systemic change. Whether it’s redefining productivity, amplifying positive actions, or fighting for workplace safety, these voices show that our collective impact is greater when we stand firm together.

Let these insights spark your passion and fortify your resolve as we continue the work that matters most.

1?? Meta Cuts DEI Practices ?? Kristen Parisi on Meta’s Backtrack on DEI ??? Why it matters: With recent leadership changes and cuts to DEI programs, Meta’s moves have sparked frustration and concern. The rollback of inclusive practices highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring equity remains a priority in corporate spaces.

2?? 12 Books to Broaden Your Understanding ?? Arthur Chan on Learning US History Through Diverse Perspectives ??? Why it matters: This curated list of books offers critical insights into U.S. history through the eyes of racialized communities. Start the year with a commitment to expanding your knowledge and deepening your empathy.

3?? Productivity Over Humanity? ?? Michelene Wilkerson on Rewriting Productivity Culture ??? Why it matters: A student attending class during an evacuation sheds light on how deeply productivity culture is ingrained in our society. It’s time to challenge these implicit norms and prioritize safety and well-being over constant output.

4?? The Cost of Shrinking the Table ?? Corey Richardson on Dismantling DEI Practices ??? Why it matters: Corporations cutting DEI efforts may find temporary shareholder approval, but the long-term costs to innovation and inclusivity are undeniable. Smaller tables never lead to sustainable growth.

5?? Workplace Safety Matters ?? Andrea Allen on Psychological Safety at Work ??? Why it matters: Over 50 million workers experience psychological abuse annually. Advocating for the Workplace Psychological Safety Act could protect lives and foster healthier, more inclusive work environments.

6?? Racial Trauma in the Workplace ?? Ngozi Cadmus on the Impact of Racial Trauma on Black Women ??? Why it matters: Racial trauma is an ever-present, invisible burden carried by Black women. This post calls for systemic change to address these challenges and create workplaces where Black women can thrive.

7?? HR Is Not a Scapegoat ?? Enrique Rubio (he/him) on Clarifying HR’s Role ??? Why it matters: HR is not a catch-all solution for poor leadership or workplace conflict. True change requires leaders to step up and work with HR as strategic partners to drive inclusive, sustainable solutions.

8?? Let’s Dismantle Ableism in 2025 ?? Jamie Shields on Breaking Ableist Assumptions ??? Why it matters: Ableist thinking shapes workplace norms and policies. This year, commit to challenging those assumptions and creating environments where everyone, regardless of ability, can thrive.

9?? Using Algorithms for Good ?? Torin Ellis on Amplifying Positive DEI Stories ??? Why it matters: Social platforms often highlight failures over successes in DEI work. Torin challenges LinkedIn to prioritize stories of innovation, resilience, and inclusive progress to inspire systemic change.

?? McDonald’s Scaling Back DEI Efforts ?? Nevin Barich on Corporate DEI Strategy ??? Why it matters: McDonald’s decision to scale back its DEI efforts reflects a troubling trend. Nevin highlights the need for intentional, sustained efforts to ensure inclusivity remains integral to organizational success.

Weekend Thought ?? Resilience Is the Key to Thriving in DEI Work ??? Resilience is a cornerstone of the work we do in DEI. It’s not just about recovering from setbacks—it’s about transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and impact.

This month, I’m inviting you to join me in a community-wide focus on building the resilience we need to thrive. The work we’re doing to drive equity and inclusion isn’t easy, and it’s not meant to be. But together, we can strengthen our ability to navigate resistance, sustain our momentum, and grow stronger with every step forward.

With tools like the Resilience Tracker and support from over 400 peers in the Diversiology community, we’ll build the strength to show up, push boundaries, and stay grounded in purpose.

?? Join the community today!

Reminder: Practitioners’ Perspective Survey ?? DEI practitioners are on the frontlines of driving change, and their voices are critical to shaping the future of work.

We’ve extended the deadline until the end of January!

By gathering insights from 500+ DEI professionals, this survey will: ?? Influence organizations, media, and conferences with practitioner-led insights. ??? Develop monthly playbooks to tackle real-world challenges. ??? Ensure DEI professionals lead the conversation about the future of work.

? Take the survey today, share it with your network, and help us hit our goal!

Let these stories motivate you to take bold actions in 2025. Equity and inclusion require persistence, but the impact is immeasurable.

Here’s wishing you an awesome, productive, and impactful week ahead!