DEI+B Summit Recap

At SJI, we are proud to champion an environment that values diversity, equity and inclusion, where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

As SJI’s Chief Diversity Officer, I’m honored to work alongside a devoted team of individuals who are dedicated to ensuring that our efforts positively impact not only our workplace, but also our customers and community members.

To further our commitment to DEI, we were thrilled to hold our inaugural DEI+B (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion + Belonging) Summit from September 19th – 20th.

Our 2-day summit included engaging keynote speeches, impactful panel discussions, collaborative breakout sessions, and valuable networking opportunities. Held both in-person and virtually, this groundbreaking event brought together thought leaders, DEI experts, and employees (our changemakers) to connect, celebrate, and learn.

We explored several topics relating to DEI and highlighted the exemplary work being done at SJI. Through compelling discussions and interactive workshops, these sessions explored innovative approaches and tangible strategies on how to drive DEI forward and create measurable change at the organizational level.

We were incredibly honored to host a lineup of award-winning external speakers, including Julie Kratz, Dr. Oscar Holmes IV, Dr. Monica Curry, Dr. Alex Ellis, Walead Abdrabouh, Lloyd Freeman, and Andy Zinsmeister.

Additionally, we hosted panels that featured our internal speakers and Employee Resource Group (ERG) leaders, including TiAira Neal, Charrae Rogers, Allison Charriez, Lisa Bond Holland, Danielle Young, David Cutts, Michael Bizzoco, James Clark, Kyle Nolan, Joshua Ricciardelli, Kimberly Bodine, Gabriel Sanchez, Lisa Cottman, Ashley Rhea, Rich DeRose, and Margo Carr.

At our DEI+B Summit, we also explored a wide range of topics relating to DEI such as allyship, psychological safety, and intersectionality. As part of these discussions, our speakers shared several important messages for us to reflect on, including:

A need for leadership commitment in pushing DEI forward, the significance of mentorship, the importance of data-driven decision-making, the importance of community partnerships, the significance of active listening, and the need for continued learning.

Additionally, it’s been incredibly heart-warming to read the wonderful feedback from our employees and to see the impact of this inaugural event. Personally, I gained many remarkable insights from our summit; the below speaker quotes are among the many poignant moments that strongly resonated with me:

?

?

“DEI is not a zero-sum game.” – Julie Kratz

“Everyone has to have a role in moving the needle.” – Lloyd Freeman

“When we are monolithic, we do the organization a disservice.” – Dr. Alex Ellis

“The power of speaking up cannot be overstated.” – Dr. Oscar Holmes IV

“This work is a marathon, not a sprint.” – Dr. Monica Curry

?

As I reflect on this groundbreaking moment, I’m immensely proud of the success of our first DEI+B Summit and look forward to us creating more impactful events like this. A very special thank you to my DEI team members, TiAira Neal and Charrae Rogers, for their continued dedication and for hosting this incredible milestone for the company. I’d also like to extend my gratitude to our employees, senior leadership team, and our employee resource groups for making this an unforgettable event.

At SJI, we understand that change is inevitable, and that effective, comprehensive DEI work is vital to shaping the future of the modern workplace. We’ve made incredible progress, and we recognize that there is still more to be done. We will continue to make strides to foster a culture where everyone feels valued, included, and confident in bringing their full self to work.

Lastly, I would like to encourage you to consider what actions you can take to move the needle – whether it’s reaching out to a new colleague for a coffee chat, advancing your knowledge of DEI by reading a new book or listening to a new podcast, participating in volunteer opportunities, or by joining an employee resource group. No matter how large or small the action, we all have the power to make an impact and each of us has a role in shaping an inclusive company culture that embraces and celebrates what makes us all unique.

?