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Hi there Jon-

In my work, I speak a lot about allyship and how we can use our own advantages to lift others up. I like to think in my 10+ years of inclusion work that I''ve inspired thousands people to be not just allies, but advocates for others. I truly believe that advocacy begets equity, although sometimes it''s hard to know what being an advocate looks like in action. I read a few surprising sports stories this week that illustrated this beautifully. 

The Iroquois Nationals lacrosse team (ranked #3 in the world and representing the Haudenosaunee Confederacy here in the U.S.) wasn''t on the list of 8 teams for the 2022 World Games. Organizers said the team wasn''t eligible because they''re not from a sovereign country. This particularly hurts because the Haudenosaunee were the originators of lacrosse. In an awesome display of allyship, the Ireland team gave up their spot to the Iroquois Nationals, acknowledging that lacrosse wouldn''t exist without them.

Also this week, the San Diego Loyal Major League Soccer team forfeited the game they were winning after an opposing team member used an anti-gay slur towards an openly gay San Diego player, and there were no consequences. By not returning to the game after halftime, the team sent a signal to the league, the refs, and other teams that words matter and even in the heat of the moment, hate speech is just not acceptable. 

We all have it in us to be advocates for others. These stories are big, but your version of advocacy doesn''t have to be. You don''t need to make headlines to be an advocate. Look around and identify some ways you can use your words, your advantages, and your platform to elevate others. 

Here are some things that inspired me this week:

• Twitter announced that they''re paying leaders of their Business Resource Groups (affinity groups for Black employees, LGBTQ, women, veterans, etc). While this is ideal, it''s also unusual. But it matters because these leaders all have other roles within the organization and BRG leadership is emotional labor. These employees should be paid.
  
  
• Sephora Beauty''s Accelerate Incubation program that has focused on supporting women-owned beauty businesses will shift in 2021 to supporting BIPOC-owned beauty businesses. Founders who are accepted into the 6 month program will have access to funding, training, mentorship, and a pitch to Sephora. This matters because it''s the equitable thing to do and will give opportunity and exposure to businesses typically under-resourced.
   
  
• Starbucks announced that each of its 200k employees will receive a $75 Lyft credit for use to vote or volunteer for polls anytime before November 3. This matters because it incentivizes voting and ultimately promotes civic engagement and civil rights.
  

A reminder that tomorrow (October 11) is National Coming Out Day. I'll share my story over on LinkedIn. 

Wishing you a peaceful week.

Thanks for all you do to build a more inclusive world-

All the best,

Bernadette Smith

CEO, Equality Institute

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Web Version: 5 Things / advocacy
Last week''s 5 Things: ask better questions

What''s 5 Things?  

I discovered that the were a lot of really inspirational actions being taken to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world, but typical news stories focus more on negativity. I decided to begin sharing what I consider to be "good news" each week in an effort to provide a little bit of hope -- to others, and to myself! 5 Things caught on quickly and now thousands of leaders around the world receive 5 Things and share it with their companies, families and friends.

Hi there Jon-

This week, I read a post on LinkedIn that really resonated with me and perfectly expressed how I've been feeling after the U.S. election.

Natalie J. Hallinger, PhD, a behavioral scientist, wrote: "You don''t achieve deep or lasting #behaviorchange through shame and ridicule.. The way to successfully convince someone/anyone to listen, respect, care about, agree with, behave like you necessarily includes making that person feel listened to, cared about, and respected, first."

Yet those conversations can be hard. Incredibly hard. Brene' Brown would say that those conversations require us to "brave the wilderness." It requires a bit of bravery to deeply connect with (and attempt to convince someone) who is different than us. (Storytelling helps.)

The rewards for these conversations are rich and can truly bring teams together. If you're interested in holding facilitated storytelling conversations around transcending difference, please reply and I'll tell you more about how Dr. Laura Quiros from my team can help (she's amazing).

Here are the good vibes I found this week: 

• UPS made a sweeping overhaul of its employee dress code, now allowing afros, braids, beards, and piercings. I didn''t realize the old policy was so strict! This matters because it allows for greater employee self-expression, which is better for retention.
  
  
• All CBS reality shows in the future are now required to have at least 50% BIPOC participants. This affects shows like Survivor and Love Island. The network also committed 25% of its budget to BIPOC creators. This matters because media should represent the demographics of society.
  
  
• Kim Ng became the first female General Manager in baseball this week when she was hired to lead the Miami Marlins. She''s also likely the first female GM in any men''s professional league in North America. What a breakthrough and inspiration! This matters because she''s setting precedents and opening doors for women to come.
  
  

• Colorado voters approved paid family leave, ensuring residents can receive paid leave if they need to take care of a sick loved one or new child, or recover from an illness. Workers could receive up to 90% of their weekly pay. This matters because many people have to choose between pay and caregiving responsibilities, and this law creates greater equity.
  
  
• The Oxford English Dictionary updated its definition of the word "woman" and "man" to be more inclusive. The previous definition for the word "woman" included "a man's wife, girlfriend, or female lover", implying that a woman could only be these things in relation to a man. The new definition is much more expansive. This matters because words matter, and inclusive language sets precedent for inclusive behavior.
  
  

Finally, yesterday began Transgender Awareness Week, and this coming Wednesday at 1pm ET, I''m hosting an informal fireside chat with our new Senior Consultant, Patti Flynn, a proud transgender woman. You can register here. Hope to see you there.

Thanks for all you do to build a more inclusive world-

All the best,

Bernadette Smith

CEO, Equality Institute

Pronouns: she/her

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Web Version: 5 Things / transcending difference
Last week''s 5 Things: firsts

What''s 5 Things?  

I discovered that the were a lot of really inspirational actions being taken to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world, but typical news stories focus more on negativity. I decided to begin sharing what I consider to be "good vibes" each week in an effort to provide a little bit of hope -- to others, and to myself! 5 Things caught on quickly and now thousands of leaders around the world receive 5 Things and share it with their companies, families and friends.

Hi there Jon-

This week, I facilitated some virtual workshops for a new client. In the workshops, I use polling to ask an anonymous question about authenticity at work. We found that roughly 2/3 of each group hide parts of themselves at work at least some of the time. This tracks with the data from Deloitte''s 2014 Uncovering Talent study.

So why do so many people hold back at work? 

The short answer: people hold back when they don''t feel safe. They fear judgement. They fear retaliation.

And why does it matter?

It matters because we do our best work when we feel safe to be fully expressed and share our big ideas. We are more focused. We are freer. And when managers do the work to ensure employees feel this way, there''s greater trust. It''s absolutely priceless (although you can put a price on it).

Anyone, manager or not, can help with this by simply asking questions. Not nosey questions, but sincere, thoughtful questions to someone different from you. Be fully present and listen deeply to the answers. Then paraphrase, validate, and reconnect. It works beautifully. But it starts with the courage to ask.

Here are the good vibes I found this week: 

• I''ve admittedly written about Barbie a lot, but Mattel continues to take diversity seriously. The new Barbie Extra dolls are in a range of skin tones, body shapes, and styles. On a related note, Kim Culmone, Barbie''s Global Head of Design, was recently named to the Out100 list. This matters because these diverse dolls may help kids from marginalized identities feel less alone.
  
  
• The American Medical Association took a firm stance this week by declaring racism a public health crisis. In their statement, they laid out new policies and commitments (albeit vague ones...). This matters because preventable racial health disparities have meant a disproportionate percentage of Covid deaths in Black and brown communities.
  
  

• GQStyle Magazine (UK) released 9 different covers in honor of its 15th anniversary. Each cover is curated by a different artist and is dedicated to honoring Black people and the Black experience, including Black trans people. This matters because these covers remind us to continue to #SayTheirNames as we address systemic racism.

And finally, there will be no 5 Things next week. Instead, I''ll be  watching any of the new holiday movies with LGBTQ themes. I''ve been waiting for this moment for 20 years! This matters because we all deserve happy endings.

Wishing you a peaceful, healthy, and joyful Thanksgiving.

Thanks for all you do to build a more inclusive world-

All the best,

Bernadette Smith

CEO, Equality Institute

Pronouns: she/her

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Web Version: 5 Things / ask meaningful questions
Last week''s 5 Things: transcending difference

What''s 5 Things?  

I discovered that the were a lot of really inspirational actions being taken to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world, but typical news stories focus more on negativity. I decided to begin sharing what I consider to be "good vibes" each week in an effort to provide a little bit of hope -- to others, and to myself! 5 Things caught on quickly and now thousands of leaders around the world receive 5 Things and share it with their companies, families and friends.

Hi there Jon-

~50%

That''s about the percentage of Americans who voted differently than me. They have different lived experiences, different points of view, and prioritize different things. Sometimes I forget how different we are. 

My bubble keeps me safe, but it also keeps me a little bit ignorant. I can own that, and, while frustrating at times, I''m grateful for receiving periodic wake-up calls.

I can''t pretend to know the lived experiences of people who voted differently than me, just like I can''t pretend to know what it''s like to be a Black woman working in corporate America. I educate myself and love talking to others, but I don''t know what it''s like to walk in others'' shoes.

My work is about seeking to understand (and helping others understand), but then transcending differences, and unifying around common goals. I''d rather focus on how we can come together, rather than what divides us.

That''s what I spoke about this week to clients in tech, life sciences, and banking. We are stronger, more successful, and more joyful when we come together in a spirit of curiosity.  Since conversations with folks who are different from us don''t easily happen outside of work, I''m grateful to the organizations who are making space for these conversations about understanding and transcending difference to happen at work.

All of my good vibes this week center around American political firsts, and include people who (regardless of party) can be possibility models for the next generation of leaders. This matters because we cannot be what we cannot see. 

• New Mexico elected all women of color to the House of Representatives and is the first state to do so.
  
  
• New York elected America''s first Black gay men to Congress, two of them - Richie Torres and Mondaire Jones.
  
  

• Marilyn Strickland from Washington is the country''s first Korean-American Congresswoman (and the first Black Congressperson from that state).
  
  
• At the state level, there were some huge victories for trans folks: Sarah McBride became the highest ranked transgender official in the country when she was elected State Senator from Delaware. Stephanie Byers became the first openly trans lawmaker from Kansas when she was elected to the Kansas House, and Taylor Small was the first trans person elected to Vermont''s House. Mauree Turner became the first openly nonbinary state legislator, winning a seat in the Oklahoma state House. Mauree is also Muslim, a first for Oklahoma.
  

And there are many more firsts. Inspiration is everywhere if you''re open to seeing it.

Thanks for all you do to build a more inclusive world-

All the best,

Bernadette Smith

CEO, Equality Institute

Pronouns: she/her

If you found this message helpful, would you be willing to share it with someone who needs the inspiration? Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn

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Web Version: 5 Things / firsts
Last week''s 5 Things: Patrick is back

What''s 5 Things?  

I discovered that the were a lot of really inspirational actions being taken to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world, but typical news stories focus more on negativity. I decided to begin sharing what I consider to be "good vibes" each week in an effort to provide a little bit of hope -- to others, and to myself! 5 Things caught on quickly and now thousands of leaders around the world receive 5 Things and share it with their companies, families and friends.

Hi there Jon-

Today my son turns ten. Some of you may remember watching some videos we posted on LinkedIn earlier this year during the first weeks of quarantine.  In this video, we talked about some of the kind things that companies were doing in the early days of Covid-19. And in this delightful video, Patrick and I discussed Transgender Day of Visibility.

It''s been months since we made a video, but today was the day. Patrick and I caught up to discuss some of the learnings and silver linings he''d had this year. You can watch the next video here. I tried to engage him about Black Lives Matter and privilege but he didn''t quite bite this time...but I''ll keep plugging away.

Here are some things that brought me good vibes this week:

• For years, I''ve spoken about the Indigenous Muxes people of Oaxaca, Mexico, as an example of a third gender of people celebrated in their community. Now Mexico City has an inclusive futbol/soccer team named Muxes to pay tribute to those people and create a safe space for LGBTQ inclusion in the sport. The team is now sponsored by Nike. This matters because the team is powerfully standing out and proud in a conservative culture, and serving as role models for LGBTQ youth.
  
  
• Like many companies, Macy''s 2020 racial reckoning included commitments to partner with more Black-owned brands. They''ve taken that a step further and will launch five exclusive collections with Black fashion designers this spring. This matters because Black-owned businesses typically have less access to resources and distribution channels, and this access provided by Macy''s will promote sales and ultimately greater equity.
  
  
• American Express became the latest major company to achieve pay equity for all employees. This is significant in that the gender pay gap is about $.20 in the U.S., and higher for women of color. Conducting a pay equity audit and correcting the gap is simply an equitable (and anti-racist) thing every company should do.
  
  
• This week I learned about Civic Alliance, a new non-partisan coalition of 844+ companies (including Blue Apron and Capital One). Together, the member companies are supporting safe, healthy and trusted elections, and inspiring employees and customers to participate in civic life. There are many ways companies can play an important role in employee civic engagement, starting with paid time off to vote. The coalition provides tools and resources to support those initiatives.
  

Finally, I was recently on the What''s Betwixt Us podcast, produced by the Zanie app. Lyssa and I had a very real conversation. I hope you''ll take a listen. 

Thanks for all you do to build a more inclusive world-

All the best,

Bernadette Smith

CEO, Equality Institute

Pronouns: she/her

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Web Version: 5 Things / Patrick is back
Last week''s 5 Things: good vibes

What''s 5 Things?  

I discovered that the were a lot of really inspirational actions being taken to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world, but typical news stories focus more on negativity. I decided to begin sharing what I consider to be "good vibes" each week in an effort to provide a little bit of hope -- to others, and to myself! 5 Things caught on quickly and now thousands of leaders around the world receive 5 Things and share it with their companies, families and friends.

Hi there Jon-

This week was a pretty great week for LGBTQ+ inclusion. First I learned that the Argentinian President signed a decree that creates a 1% job quota for transgender people, regardless of what gender marker is on their ID. This matters because transgender people often face high levels of employment discrimination and, as a result, are often underemployed.

Then I learned that high schools in England will now teach LGBTQ-inclusive sex ed classes. The new guidelines call for information on sexual orientation and gender identity to be integrated into the curriculum for all students.

This matters because critical health information will now be provided to reduce risk factors for LGBTQ+ youth. It will also reduce the stigma of being part of a marginalized group. This is a game changer.

Some other inspiring things I learned this week include:

• Barilla Group closed the gender pay gap for their 8,400 global employees. This makes them one of the first FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) companies in the world to do so. This matters because right now women are paid $.81 for every dollar a man makes - and Black, indigenous women of color make even less. Closing the gap is the equitable thing to do.
  
  
• This week the Academy Awards released new criteria for Best Picture, beginning in 2024.  Films must meet at least two of four benchmarks related to casting and hiring under-represented people in all aspects of the film''s production. Only films which meet the criteria are eligible for Best Picture. This matters because increasing diversity doesn''t happen by accident -- organizations must announce goals and develop systems of accountability.
  
  
• There were a couple of major firsts announced this week: Jane Fraser was announced as the new CEO of Citigroup. She''s the first female CEO of a major Wall Street bank. Also, Doris Burke made news this week when she was revealed to be the first woman to call play-by-play for the NBA conference finals and finals (on ESPN Radio). These stories matter because they provide possibility models for young people, and also, because it''s about time. 

I choose the "better late than never" perspective on these pieces of news.  There''s inspiration everywhere, and there are lots of hard working people like you, committed to changing systems and behaviors to be more inclusive. The world needs us. Keep it up.

Thanks for all you do -

All the best,

Bernadette Smith

CEO, Equality Institute

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Web Version: 5 Things / hire trans people
Last week''s 5 Things: work the polls

What''s 5 Things?  

I discovered that the were a lot of really inspirational actions being taken to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world, but typical news stories focus more on negativity. I decided to begin sharing what I consider to be "good news" each week in an effort to provide a little bit of hope -- to others, and to myself! 5 Things caught on quickly and now thousands of leaders around the world receive 5 Things and share it with their companies, families and friends.

Hi there Jon-

This week, Oscar-nominated actor Elliot Page came out as transgender, using the pronouns he/they. Elliot is best known for the films Juno, Inception, and the X-Men, and the current Netflix series the Umbrella Academy. I've been a huge fan for years.

One of the coolest things I noticed about the coverage is the journalists got Elliot''s pronouns right in every article I read. Except to provide some context, Elliot wasn''t "dead-named" in the articles I read. Even most of the headlines left out Elliot''s former name.

I later learned that Netflix immediately tweeted their support and announced they couldn't wait to see him in Season 3 of Umbrella Academy. They also updated all of their credits and metadata to reflect Elliot.

Elliott's coverage is a mini case study of how to support a trans person. Yes, it's news because Elliot is a celebrity, but there was no sensationalism, no drama, in mainstream media. In essence, Elliot's coming out was just another news story.

If all those journalists and Netflix can get this right so quickly, then you can, too.

Here are the good vibes I found this week: 

• Macy''s became the largest retailer to join the 15% pledge, committing 15% of their shelf-space to Black-owned brands. The pledge ensures that Black businesses have expanded, equitable access to customers. This matters because it will reduce the racial wealth gap. 

  
  
• Lynn Conway was an innovative computer scientist at IBM when she was fired in 1968 after coming out as transgender. The job loss turned her life upside down. In October, 52 years later, IBM genuinely apologized, acknowledged her legacy at the company and awarded her a Lifetime Achievement Award. This matters because it sets a great example of corporate vulnerability. It matters in particular to LGBTQ employees at IBM.
  
  

• Scotland became the first country this week to provide free period supplies to those who menstruate. And I learned that South Korea and Japan have required companies to offer period leave for decades. This matters because periods can be debilitating for some people -- and the cost of products can be out of reach for others. Formalized policies can de-stigmatize this.
  
  
• Unilever (one of the world''s most inclusive companies) is testing a 4 day workweek in New Zealand for the next year. If it''s as successful as Microsoft and others have found, they''ll roll it out company-wide. This matters because it allows employees to have a more balanced life and can be a particularly huge benefit for caregivers. 
  
  

Finally, are you planning your 2021 DEI strategy? Reply to this email to connect about how we can help. 

Thanks for all you do to build a more inclusive world-

All the best,

Bernadette Smith

CEO, Equality Institute

Pronouns: she/her

If you found this message helpful, would you be willing to share it with someone who needs the inspiration? Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn

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Web Version: 5 Things / welcome Elliot
Last week''s 5 Things: ask meaningful questions

What''s 5 Things?  

I discovered that the were a lot of really inspirational actions being taken to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world, but typical news stories focus more on negativity. I decided to begin sharing what I consider to be "good vibes" each week in an effort to provide a little bit of hope -- to others, and to myself! 5 Things caught on quickly and now thousands of leaders around the world receive 5 Things and share it with their companies, families and friends.

Hi there Jon-

This week I learned that Old Navy will pay its employees a full day of pay to work the polls on Election Day. 

64% of Old Navy''s 50,000 employees are 18-29, the age group least likely to vote...so perhaps they will this year.

This matters because there''s a projected shortage of 250,000 U.S. poll workers this year, and Old Navy''s commitment may be significant. I also appreciate Old Navy valuing its customer-facing team enough to give them this opportunity.

Here are some other things that inspired me this week:

• Uber released a massive new ad campaign: "If you tolerate racism, delete Uber."  Although this campaign met some criticism for several valid reasons, I believe this matters because the company is taking a stand that racism is unacceptable, even by paying passengers. 
  
  
• Ben and Jerry''s (which is owned by Unilever) is launching a 6 part podcast on systemic racism. The podcast, which starts on September 15, is about the history of systemic racism in America. This matters because we are only at the beginning of our racial reckoning, and these stories of centuries of injustice are important to hear.
  
  
• Male and female football teams in Brazil are now paid equally. This is not the case for the U.S. teams, where male players are paid more than female players, despite the wild success of the U.S. Women''s National Team. This matters because pay equity is simply the right thing to do.
  
  
• Capital Group, an investment firm, decided to no longer show internship candidates'' resumes'' to hiring managers. Managers instead focused more on the conversation with the candidate. This one change resulted in a 50/50 gender balance and 58% people of color among the internship class. This matters because the hiring process is riddled with bias, which leads to a lack of diversity. Much of the bias comes when reviewing resumes.

These stories remind me that collectively, we can make real, systemic impact towards a world where everyone feels safe to walk with dignity. 

Thanks for all you do to build a more inclusive world.

All the best,

Bernadette Smith

CEO, Equality Institute

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Web Version: 5 Things / poll workers
Last week''s 5 Things: loot your own store

What''s 5 Things?  

I discovered that the were a lot of really inspirational actions being taken to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world, but typical news stories focus more on negativity. I decided to begin sharing what I consider to be "good news" each week in an effort to provide a little bit of hope -- to others, and to myself! 5 Things caught on quickly and now thousands of leaders around the world receive 5 Things and share it with their companies, families and friends.

Hi there Jon-

This week, millions of people mourned the loss of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg and mourned the lack of justice for Breonna Taylor. Maybe you were one of those people. Or maybe you're a leader of one of those people. Either way, I hope you gave yourself and your team grace and space to mourn.

RBG's death has me thinking about legacy and leaving the earth better than I found it. She certainly did. Did you see the powerful photo of BRG's former (yes, mostly white) law clerks standing as pallbearers on the Supreme Court steps?

To me it begs the question: how can I be the kind of leader for whom over 100 former co-workers are willing to show up as pallbearers in the middle of a pandemic?

How can you?

Here are some things that inspired me this challenging week:

• Starting with the awards in 2021, all 6,700 voting members of The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) will have to undergo unconscious bias training before casting any ballots. This matters because unconscious bias has meant that film and television has lacked meaningful diversity, with underrepresented voices historically locked out of awards. This is a massive commitment. 
  
  
• France doubled paid paternity leave to 28 days, 7 of which are mandatory. This matters because parent-child bonding is super important, and providing more time for dads is the equitable thing to do and ultimately can provide a more balanced parenting partnership. 
  
  
• The UK government has issued specific and really great gender identity guidance for teachers, specifying that teachers should not tell children that they might be a different gender based on their personality or the clothes they want to wear. This matters because 1% of people (and about 3% of teens) are transgender / gender noncorforming, and we should support and include them as early on as possible.
  
  
• And in perhaps the best news of the week, Schitt''s Creek swept the comedy Emmys. The joyful and hilarious TV show celebrates inclusion and kindness beautifully. This matters because it''s really wonderful to see those values cherished and rewarded. Some of my favorite Black actors (Uzu Aduba and Regina King) were also awarded Emmys this week. 
  
  

Finally, I''m sharing something my brilliant friend Michelle Silverthorn wrote on LinkedIn on Thursday:

If your company spoke up and said Black Lives Matter four months ago, and today they are silent, then please ask them exactly what they meant when they said Black Lives Matter? Do Black lives only matter when everyone else is speaking up and we have no choice but to join in? Because that is not how this works. At least ... it shouldn''t be.

Thanks for all you do to build a more inclusive world-

All the best,

Bernadette Smith

CEO, Equality Institute

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Web Version: 5 Things / legacy
Last week''s 5 Things: natural hair is beautiful

What''s 5 Things?  

I discovered that the were a lot of really inspirational actions being taken to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world, but typical news stories focus more on negativity. I decided to begin sharing what I consider to be "good news" each week in an effort to provide a little bit of hope -- to others, and to myself! 5 Things caught on quickly and now thousands of leaders around the world receive 5 Things and share it with their companies, families and friends.

Hi there Jon-

I''m leading with a tiny bit of self-promotion. My company has a new website. I''d love to hear what you think.

Recently I was in a pitch meeting with a company when one of the senior leaders said bluntly: "I just don''t know where to look for Black people with a PhD in statistics." 

I told him he was asking the wrong question. The better questions are: Why do we require a PhD in statistics? Is there another way to acquire those skills?

Ask better questions.

IBM agrees, at least about 4 year degrees. This week I learned that 43% of their open positions no longer require a 4 year degree. This matters because higher education is not attainable or affordable for all in the U.S., especially for people of color. Removing degree requirements provides greater access to well-paying jobs which can reduce the racial wealth gap. 

Here are some things that inspired me this week:

• Amidst some somber news about layoffs, Disney also announced that they''ve added a fifth "key" (core value) of inclusion. This matters because all cast members (their term for employees) will now receive specific training in this key. This is significant because Disney is already well-known for its rigorous onboarding. Customer-facing employees don''t often receive inclusion training -- and they should.
  
  
• 60% of new members to company Boards of Directors in Ireland are women. This beats the rest of the EU, which averaged 49%. (Other under-represented groups still struggle for Board appointments, however). Gender diversity has been directly linked to innovation and profit, but this really matters because women should be equally represented. Period. 
  
  
• Sesame Workshop produced a new series of videos and resources to help kids with autism be more comfortable with mask-wearing and other realities of the Covid pandemic. This matters because kids with autism face unique challenges these days and Julia, the muppet with autism, can help them realize they''re not alone. 
   
  
• The Ford Foundation announced Covid-relief grants totaling $156 million for arts organizations run by and for people of color. This matters because Covid has disproportionally affected those communities, and because those organizations have been historically under-funded.
  
  

Finally, this week begins LGBTQ History Month and National Hispanic Heritage Month continues until October 15. This is the time to do some programming or otherwise show your employees that your organization celebrates these beautiful communities. Reach out if we can help.

Thanks for all you do to build a more inclusive world-

All the best,

Bernadette Smith

CEO, Equality Institute

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Web Version: 5 Things / ask better questions
Last week''s 5 Things: legacy

What''s 5 Things?  

I discovered that the were a lot of really inspirational actions being taken to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world, but typical news stories focus more on negativity. I decided to begin sharing what I consider to be "good news" each week in an effort to provide a little bit of hope -- to others, and to myself! 5 Things caught on quickly and now thousands of leaders around the world receive 5 Things and share it with their companies, families and friends.