Ep. 92 - The Evolution of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Deborah Burgess

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Deborah Burgess returns to discuss the evolution of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives from the 1960s to present day, exploring how what began with the Civil Rights movement has grown into a projected $24.4 billion global industry by 2030.

• History of DEI from the 1960s with affirmative action to today's comprehensive approaches
• Notable milestones including the first Employee Resource Group at Xerox in the 1970s
• Americans with Disabilities Act signed by George H.W. Bush in 1991
• How social movements like Me Too (founded by Tarana Burke) and Black Lives Matter shaped modern DEI
• Current backlash against DEI initiatives and how terminology may evolve while the work continues
• DEI's global growth despite political challenges, with companies recognizing both moral and business imperatives
• The importance of courage in continuing to advocate for equity and inclusion
• White allies' responsibility to have difficult conversations and call in problematic behavior

About Deborah Burgess:

Deborah has 21 years of university teaching experience including teaching in Beijing, China at the University of Colorado Denver's Global Campus for six years. This was a tremendous experience teaching students courses in Business and Professional Speaking, Public Speaking, and Essential Communication in a Global Society. Additionally Deborah has consulting/training experience working domestically for non-profits, federal, state and private industry in Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Gender and Communication and Appropriate Business Communication in Corporate Settings. Deborah conducted training classes at Beijing Foreign Studies University in China teaching mid-level executives of China Construction Bank and China Southern Airlines skills/tools in the American Mass Media and Communication. Her belief is: “I’m not a teacher, but an awakener.” ~ Robert Frost

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