https://simplecast.com Good Vibes Leadership with Bernadette Smith Micro-lessons in playful, inclusive leadership. Is leadership starting to feel like a chore? It’s time for a vibe check. Hosted by Bernadette Smith, Good Vibes Leadership is your weekly shot of actionable positivity designed for leaders who want to build inclusive, high-performing cultures without burnout. In each bite-sized episode, Bernadette ditches dense theory for actionable micro-lessons that help you lead with more joy, connect more authentically with your team, and create a world where everyone actually wants to show up. Whether you have five minutes between meetings or a short commute, tune in for the stories, strategies, and "Yeah Baby!" energy you need to be the leader your people deserve. Lead with joy. Build for everyone. Let’s get to work. en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 19:41:15 +0000 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 19:41:27 +0000 https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com Good Vibes Leadership with Bernadette Smith https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/4354db34-a762-4045-bb2c-c8f0e94f7694/1723c101-98b4-42a7-87aa-f9a6f231d722/3000x3000/good_vibes_leadership_cover.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com episodic Micro-lessons in playful, inclusive leadership. Is leadership starting to feel like a chore? It’s time for a vibe check. Hosted by Bernadette Smith, Good Vibes Leadership is your weekly shot of actionable positivity designed for leaders who want to build inclusive, high-performing cultures without burnout. In each bite-sized episode, Bernadette ditches dense theory for actionable micro-lessons that help you lead with more joy, connect more authentically with your team, and create a world where everyone actually wants to show up. Whether you have five minutes between meetings or a short commute, tune in for the stories, strategies, and "Yeah Baby!" energy you need to be the leader your people deserve. Lead with joy. Build for everyone. Let’s get to work. Bernadette Smith false https://feeds.simplecast.com/l3j1JPfA diversity, equality, equality institute, equity, human resources, inclusion, lgbtqi+, inclusivity, esg, leadership, deib, deij, corporate social responsibility, inclusive leadership, workplace culture, employee experience, goodvibesdei, people and culture, workplaceculture, leadership development, changemakers, future of work, inclusive design, accessibility, neurodiversity Bernadette Smith bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com db437f37-ceec-4773-a096-e304d5118495 Good Intentions I got yelled at this week. I was volunteering, handing out bags of essentials to people experiencing homelessness near the expressway off-ramps by my house. I was moving in traffic, so I tossed instead of handed. The bag fell. And I got an earful.

This episode is about what happens when good intentions skip the most important step. And what it actually means when someone trusts you enough to tell you the truth.

Takeaways

  • The Ask is not optional. Skipping it is how good intentions go sideways, at work, at home, and apparently on expressway off-ramps.
  • Being redirected is a sign of trust. Most people say nothing. When someone speaks up, even loudly, that's psychological safety in action.
  • The ARC Method® works everywhere. Ask. Respect. Connect. It's deceptively simple. And when you skip a step, the whole arc falls.
  • Heart in the right place isn't always enough. Dignified delivery matters as much as good intention.

Connect with Me

The Newsletter: This week in the newsletter, I wrote about a Minecraft library fighting censorship, playgrounds for kids in war zones, a pilot making aviation history, and more. Subscribe to the 5 Things Newsletter here.

Work with Me: Let's talk.

Watch 5 Things on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Mon, 13 Apr 2026 19:41:15 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/good-intentions-YImA3Efk I got yelled at this week. I was volunteering, handing out bags of essentials to people experiencing homelessness near the expressway off-ramps by my house. I was moving in traffic, so I tossed instead of handed. The bag fell. And I got an earful.

This episode is about what happens when good intentions skip the most important step. And what it actually means when someone trusts you enough to tell you the truth.

Takeaways

  • The Ask is not optional. Skipping it is how good intentions go sideways, at work, at home, and apparently on expressway off-ramps.
  • Being redirected is a sign of trust. Most people say nothing. When someone speaks up, even loudly, that's psychological safety in action.
  • The ARC Method® works everywhere. Ask. Respect. Connect. It's deceptively simple. And when you skip a step, the whole arc falls.
  • Heart in the right place isn't always enough. Dignified delivery matters as much as good intention.

Connect with Me

The Newsletter: This week in the newsletter, I wrote about a Minecraft library fighting censorship, playgrounds for kids in war zones, a pilot making aviation history, and more. Subscribe to the 5 Things Newsletter here.

Work with Me: Let's talk.

Watch 5 Things on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Good Intentions Bernadette Smith 00:09:27 I got yelled at this week. I was volunteering, handing out bags of essentials to people experiencing homelessness near the expressway off-ramps by my house. I was moving in traffic, so I tossed instead of handed. The bag fell. And I got an earful. This episode is about what happens when good intentions skip the most important step. And what it actually means when someone trusts you enough to tell you the truth. I got yelled at this week. I was volunteering, handing out bags of essentials to people experiencing homelessness near the expressway off-ramps by my house. I was moving in traffic, so I tossed instead of handed. The bag fell. And I got an earful. This episode is about what happens when good intentions skip the most important step. And what it actually means when someone trusts you enough to tell you the truth. asking better questions, inclusive leadership, good vibes leadership, assumption bias, 5thingsdei, psychological safety, goodvibesleadership, inclusive communication, good intentions leadership, leadership lessons, arc method, dei leadership false full 158 806b9d06-6432-46ab-a346-6beaeae1ffd4 Flight I got terrible customer service from someone in a membership role. Sixty seconds in, it felt personal. I was activated and I walked out the door. No escalation, no manager, no last word. Just flight. In this episode, I unpack what happened, why I'd do it the same way again, and what it taught me about the difference between defaulting and deciding.

Takeaways:

  • Know your default: Fight, flight, freeze, fawn. We all have one. Most of us have never named it.
  • Naming it is the work: You can't make a choice about a pattern you haven't identified.
  • Flight isn't weakness: Sometimes protecting your peace is the most strategic move you can make.
  • Default vs. decision: There's a meaningful difference between reacting from pattern and choosing deliberately.

Connect with Me

The Newsletter: This week in the newsletter, I wrote about knowing your default stress response and why flight over fight might be the most strategic choice you make all week. Subscribe to the 5 Things Newsletter here.

Work with Me: Let's talk.

Watch 5 Things on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Thu, 9 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/flight-Jpf7FUs9 I got terrible customer service from someone in a membership role. Sixty seconds in, it felt personal. I was activated and I walked out the door. No escalation, no manager, no last word. Just flight. In this episode, I unpack what happened, why I'd do it the same way again, and what it taught me about the difference between defaulting and deciding.

Takeaways:

  • Know your default: Fight, flight, freeze, fawn. We all have one. Most of us have never named it.
  • Naming it is the work: You can't make a choice about a pattern you haven't identified.
  • Flight isn't weakness: Sometimes protecting your peace is the most strategic move you can make.
  • Default vs. decision: There's a meaningful difference between reacting from pattern and choosing deliberately.

Connect with Me

The Newsletter: This week in the newsletter, I wrote about knowing your default stress response and why flight over fight might be the most strategic choice you make all week. Subscribe to the 5 Things Newsletter here.

Work with Me: Let's talk.

Watch 5 Things on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Flight Bernadette Smith 00:08:37 I got terrible customer service from someone in a membership role. Sixty seconds in, it felt personal. I was activated and I walked out the door. No escalation, no manager, no last word. Just flight. In this episode, I unpack what happened, why I'd do it the same way again, and what it taught me about the difference between defaulting and deciding. I got terrible customer service from someone in a membership role. Sixty seconds in, it felt personal. I was activated and I walked out the door. No escalation, no manager, no last word. Just flight. In this episode, I unpack what happened, why I'd do it the same way again, and what it taught me about the difference between defaulting and deciding. protecting your peace, self-awareness, stress response, inclusive leadership, fight flight freeze fawn, leadership mindset, emotional intelligence, knowing yourself, 5thingsdei, psychological safety, goodvibesleadership, dei leadership false full 157 b88de65d-b749-4633-9776-e3f552aff980 Covert Inclusion I was on a sales call recently and felt that immediate recognition: this is a covert inclusion audience. In this episode she names a practice she's used for twenty years without ever labeling it, leading with her audience's motivation instead of leading with inclusion itself. From wedding industry rooms to corporate sales teams, the content stays the same. The door changes. And everything works better.

Takeaways:

  • The door problem: When inclusion stalls, it's often not a values problem. It's a communication problem. We're leading with the wrong entry point.
  • Covert inclusion in action: Leading with audience motivation, whether that's revenue, client relationships, or not fumbling in front of someone different from you, is not a compromise. It's strategy.
  • The ARC Method applied: Ask what your audience already cares about. Respect that motivation. Connect it to the inclusion work that follows.
  • The practice: Before your next inclusion conversation, find the door your audience is already standing in front of. Lead there first.

Connect with Me

The Newsletter: This week in the newsletter, I wrote about disability history finally having a home, a VR lab closing the healthcare skills gap,  guaranteed income changing real lives — and more. Subscribe to the 5 Things Newsletter here.

Work with Me: Let's talk.

Watch 5 Things on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Mon, 6 Apr 2026 20:04:26 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/covert-inclusion-BZe3E2tC I was on a sales call recently and felt that immediate recognition: this is a covert inclusion audience. In this episode she names a practice she's used for twenty years without ever labeling it, leading with her audience's motivation instead of leading with inclusion itself. From wedding industry rooms to corporate sales teams, the content stays the same. The door changes. And everything works better.

Takeaways:

  • The door problem: When inclusion stalls, it's often not a values problem. It's a communication problem. We're leading with the wrong entry point.
  • Covert inclusion in action: Leading with audience motivation, whether that's revenue, client relationships, or not fumbling in front of someone different from you, is not a compromise. It's strategy.
  • The ARC Method applied: Ask what your audience already cares about. Respect that motivation. Connect it to the inclusion work that follows.
  • The practice: Before your next inclusion conversation, find the door your audience is already standing in front of. Lead there first.

Connect with Me

The Newsletter: This week in the newsletter, I wrote about disability history finally having a home, a VR lab closing the healthcare skills gap,  guaranteed income changing real lives — and more. Subscribe to the 5 Things Newsletter here.

Work with Me: Let's talk.

Watch 5 Things on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Covert Inclusion Bernadette Smith 00:12:03 I was on a sales call recently and felt that immediate recognition: this is a covert inclusion audience. In this episode she names a practice she's used for twenty years without ever labeling it, leading with her audience's motivation instead of leading with inclusion itself. From wedding industry rooms to corporate sales teams, the content stays the same. The door changes. And everything works better. I was on a sales call recently and felt that immediate recognition: this is a covert inclusion audience. In this episode she names a practice she's used for twenty years without ever labeling it, leading with her audience's motivation instead of leading with inclusion itself. From wedding industry rooms to corporate sales teams, the content stays the same. The door changes. And everything works better. salesanddei, inclusivecommunication, deispeaker, inclusive360, bernadettesmith, equalityinstitute, workplaceculture, inclusionstrategy, diversityandinclusion, covertinclusion, clientfacingleadership, leadershipdevelopment, arcmethod, workplacebelonging, psychologicalsafety, inclusiveleadership, keynotespeaker, 5thingsdei, goodvibesleadership, inclusiveleader false full 156 b444469a-d42a-4f0d-afe3-7ac0d103c54a Going First I recently sat in a room of strangers — different backgrounds, different everything — and within an hour we were sharing grief and shame. Heavy stuff for a Saturday morning. But here's what I keep relearning: connection doesn't require similarity. It requires honesty. And somebody has to go first. In this week's Good Vibes Leadership, that's the thread — what happens when you're willing to go first, whether that's in a living room or a boardroom.

Takeaways

  • Going first changes the room: The person who says the tough true thing sets the tone for everyone else.
  • Honesty over sameness: You don't need common ground to connect — you need courage.
  • Your Challenge: Think about the rooms you're in this week. Will you be willing to go first?

Good Vibes to Go: Check out the comedy of ALOK — they're on tour and genuinely hilarious. One of our own team members is driving from Chicago to Grand Rapids just to see them. That's a good vibe.

Connect with Me

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Mon, 23 Mar 2026 16:52:10 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/going-first-S643eCqX I recently sat in a room of strangers — different backgrounds, different everything — and within an hour we were sharing grief and shame. Heavy stuff for a Saturday morning. But here's what I keep relearning: connection doesn't require similarity. It requires honesty. And somebody has to go first. In this week's Good Vibes Leadership, that's the thread — what happens when you're willing to go first, whether that's in a living room or a boardroom.

Takeaways

  • Going first changes the room: The person who says the tough true thing sets the tone for everyone else.
  • Honesty over sameness: You don't need common ground to connect — you need courage.
  • Your Challenge: Think about the rooms you're in this week. Will you be willing to go first?

Good Vibes to Go: Check out the comedy of ALOK — they're on tour and genuinely hilarious. One of our own team members is driving from Chicago to Grand Rapids just to see them. That's a good vibe.

Connect with Me

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Going First Bernadette Smith 00:10:18 I recently sat in a room of strangers — different backgrounds, different everything — and within an hour we were sharing grief and shame. Heavy stuff for a Saturday morning. But here's what I keep relearning: connection doesn't require similarity. It requires honesty. And somebody has to go first. In this week's Good Vibes Leadership, that's the thread — what happens when you're willing to go first, whether that's in a living room or a boardroom. I recently sat in a room of strangers — different backgrounds, different everything — and within an hour we were sharing grief and shame. Heavy stuff for a Saturday morning. But here's what I keep relearning: connection doesn't require similarity. It requires honesty. And somebody has to go first. In this week's Good Vibes Leadership, that's the thread — what happens when you're willing to go first, whether that's in a living room or a boardroom. alok, going first, equality institute, inclusive leadership, good vibes leadership, honest connection, belonging, 5thingsdei, psychological safety, bernadette smith false full 155 2e57f3d4-dc3d-424e-81b8-0734c6fbcef3 Bubble World In this micro-lesson, I'm breaking down the Bubble World theory of inclusive leadership — why most collisions at work aren't malicious, they're assumptions — and how the ARC Method® gives us a way to move through the world without bursting each other's bubbles. Plus: we built an actual game to practice it. Link in the show notes.

Takeaways

  • The Bubble World Metaphor: Why picturing our lived experiences as invisible protective bubbles changes how we think about conflict and triggered reactions at work
  • Trauma Soup and What Causes It: Most workplace collisions aren't about bad intent — they're about skipping the ask and charging forward on assumptions
  • The ARC Method® as Your Bubble Shield: How Ask. Respect. Connect. gives you a practical tool to move with more intention through every conversation
  • Your Challenge: Think of the last time you bounced into someone's bubble without meaning to. What would one better question have changed?

Good Vibes to Go: If you haven’t watched any of the Paralympics, please do! I’m inspired by the athletes’ determination. This is the last weekend. You can watch clips on NBC/Peacock.

Connect with Me

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 17 Mar 2026 20:19:29 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/bubble-world-sOPAmNEd In this micro-lesson, I'm breaking down the Bubble World theory of inclusive leadership — why most collisions at work aren't malicious, they're assumptions — and how the ARC Method® gives us a way to move through the world without bursting each other's bubbles. Plus: we built an actual game to practice it. Link in the show notes.

Takeaways

  • The Bubble World Metaphor: Why picturing our lived experiences as invisible protective bubbles changes how we think about conflict and triggered reactions at work
  • Trauma Soup and What Causes It: Most workplace collisions aren't about bad intent — they're about skipping the ask and charging forward on assumptions
  • The ARC Method® as Your Bubble Shield: How Ask. Respect. Connect. gives you a practical tool to move with more intention through every conversation
  • Your Challenge: Think of the last time you bounced into someone's bubble without meaning to. What would one better question have changed?

Good Vibes to Go: If you haven’t watched any of the Paralympics, please do! I’m inspired by the athletes’ determination. This is the last weekend. You can watch clips on NBC/Peacock.

Connect with Me

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Bubble World Bernadette Smith 00:10:58 In this micro-lesson, I'm breaking down the Bubble World theory of inclusive leadership — why most collisions at work aren't malicious, they're assumptions — and how the ARC Method® gives us a way to move through the world without bursting each other's bubbles. Plus: we built an actual game to practice it. Link in the show notes. In this micro-lesson, I'm breaking down the Bubble World theory of inclusive leadership — why most collisions at work aren't malicious, they're assumptions — and how the ARC Method® gives us a way to move through the world without bursting each other's bubbles. Plus: we built an actual game to practice it. Link in the show notes. leadership, bubbles, inclusive leadership, good vibes leadership, 5thingsdei true full 154 8eec9042-e1d3-45a3-b005-daa6180130e3 Presence I spent time this week in a musical improv class, and it was a masterclass in one thing: staying on the beat. In improv, if your mind wanders for even a second, you’re out of sync with the whole team. It made me think about a request my son made when he was little for my "phone-free attention." That request stuck with me because giving someone our undivided focus is the most basic act of leadership we can offer. In this micro-lesson, I’m exploring why inclusion isn’t a grand gesture—it’s the radical, simple act of being fully present.

Takeaways:

  • The Gift of Presence: Why undivided attention is a non-negotiable leadership skill.
  • Mental Leftovers: How to stop dragging the energy of your last "scene" into your next meeting.
  • Tactical Grounding: Why staying in the moment sometimes requires tools like compartmentalizing (or even fidget toys).
  • Your Challenge: Where are you finding it hard to stay on the beat today, and what’s one thing you can do to tune back in?

Good Vibes to Go: Watch the documentary Come See Me in the Good Light on Apple TV. It’s about poet Andrea Gibson navigating their terminal diagnosis. It sounds dark but it’s actually joyful, love-filled, and even funny.

Connect with Me

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Mon, 9 Mar 2026 17:47:38 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/presence-RKvv3Hkc I spent time this week in a musical improv class, and it was a masterclass in one thing: staying on the beat. In improv, if your mind wanders for even a second, you’re out of sync with the whole team. It made me think about a request my son made when he was little for my "phone-free attention." That request stuck with me because giving someone our undivided focus is the most basic act of leadership we can offer. In this micro-lesson, I’m exploring why inclusion isn’t a grand gesture—it’s the radical, simple act of being fully present.

Takeaways:

  • The Gift of Presence: Why undivided attention is a non-negotiable leadership skill.
  • Mental Leftovers: How to stop dragging the energy of your last "scene" into your next meeting.
  • Tactical Grounding: Why staying in the moment sometimes requires tools like compartmentalizing (or even fidget toys).
  • Your Challenge: Where are you finding it hard to stay on the beat today, and what’s one thing you can do to tune back in?

Good Vibes to Go: Watch the documentary Come See Me in the Good Light on Apple TV. It’s about poet Andrea Gibson navigating their terminal diagnosis. It sounds dark but it’s actually joyful, love-filled, and even funny.

Connect with Me

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Presence Bernadette Smith 00:10:47 I spent time this week in a musical improv class, and it was a masterclass in one thing: staying on the beat. In improv, if your mind wanders for even a second, you’re out of sync with the whole team. It made me think about a request my son made when he was little for my "phone-free attention." That request stuck with me because giving someone our undivided focus is the most basic act of leadership we can offer. In this micro-lesson, I’m exploring why inclusion isn’t a grand gesture—it’s the radical, simple act of being fully present. I spent time this week in a musical improv class, and it was a masterclass in one thing: staying on the beat. In improv, if your mind wanders for even a second, you’re out of sync with the whole team. It made me think about a request my son made when he was little for my "phone-free attention." That request stuck with me because giving someone our undivided focus is the most basic act of leadership we can offer. In this micro-lesson, I’m exploring why inclusion isn’t a grand gesture—it’s the radical, simple act of being fully present. disability inclusion, school dei, trans inclusion, education policy, new hampshire, cerebral palsy, jason benetti, inuit nunangat university, nunavut, peacock, detroit tigers, kansas rides, nbk rise, dei governance, workplace equity, inuit education, dei council, tuberculosis response, community safeguards, national bank of kuwait, anti-dei policy, indigenous leadership, accessibility media, arviat, federal funding, food insecurity, lyft, inclusion metrics, 5thingsdei, rideshare safety, mlb coverage, transjoy, civil rights, nbc, inuit child first initiative, ottawa funding, self-determination false full 153 8b893301-9fbd-4b38-b4a7-9dd8f60f220a Shake it out Summary:

I’m currently taking an improv class, and it has highlighted a major leadership blind spot: the leftover vibe. In improv, if you carry the "stiffness" of a bad day onto the stage, the scene fails. Leadership is no different.

We play many roles—the efficient delegator, the empathetic coach, the bold visionary. These aren't masks; they are authentic "costumes" we wear to meet the moment. But if you don't "shake out" the energy of a budget crisis before walking into a sensitive one-on-one, your team feels that residue. This episode is about the power of the 30-second transition and why your energy speaks louder than your words.

Takeaways

  • Energy is Pre-Planned: Just like an improviser chooses a vibration for a scene, you can consciously choose the energy you bring into a room.
  • The Hazard of Residue: Carrying stress from one meeting to the next isn't just a personal burden; it’s a "vibe-killer" for your team that prevents real connection.
  • Costumes vs. Masks: Adapting your energy for different leadership roles is an act of respect and intentionality, not a lack of authenticity.
  • The 30-Second Reset: Before your next call, literally "shake it out." Take half a minute to shed the previous meeting so you can show up fully for the person in front of you.

Good Vibes to Go:  For those of you into HGTV-type shows, check out Homegrown on HBO. Hosted by urban farmer Jamila Norman, it’s a joyful, grounding series that helps families transform their yards into thriving food gardens while celebrating Black agricultural traditions and food justice. We love this show!

Connect with Me

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 3 Mar 2026 20:34:48 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/shake-it-out-JBfo9rMT Summary:

I’m currently taking an improv class, and it has highlighted a major leadership blind spot: the leftover vibe. In improv, if you carry the "stiffness" of a bad day onto the stage, the scene fails. Leadership is no different.

We play many roles—the efficient delegator, the empathetic coach, the bold visionary. These aren't masks; they are authentic "costumes" we wear to meet the moment. But if you don't "shake out" the energy of a budget crisis before walking into a sensitive one-on-one, your team feels that residue. This episode is about the power of the 30-second transition and why your energy speaks louder than your words.

Takeaways

  • Energy is Pre-Planned: Just like an improviser chooses a vibration for a scene, you can consciously choose the energy you bring into a room.
  • The Hazard of Residue: Carrying stress from one meeting to the next isn't just a personal burden; it’s a "vibe-killer" for your team that prevents real connection.
  • Costumes vs. Masks: Adapting your energy for different leadership roles is an act of respect and intentionality, not a lack of authenticity.
  • The 30-Second Reset: Before your next call, literally "shake it out." Take half a minute to shed the previous meeting so you can show up fully for the person in front of you.

Good Vibes to Go:  For those of you into HGTV-type shows, check out Homegrown on HBO. Hosted by urban farmer Jamila Norman, it’s a joyful, grounding series that helps families transform their yards into thriving food gardens while celebrating Black agricultural traditions and food justice. We love this show!

Connect with Me

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Shake it out Bernadette Smith 00:10:53 I’m currently taking an improv class, and it has highlighted a major leadership blind spot: the leftover vibe. In improv, if you carry the "stiffness" of a bad day onto the stage, the scene fails. Leadership is no different. We play many roles—the efficient delegator, the empathetic coach, the bold visionary. These aren't masks; they are authentic "costumes" we wear to meet the moment. But if you don't "shake out" the energy of a budget crisis before walking into a sensitive one-on-one, your team feels that residue. This episode is about the power of the 30-second transition and why your energy speaks louder than your words. I’m currently taking an improv class, and it has highlighted a major leadership blind spot: the leftover vibe. In improv, if you carry the "stiffness" of a bad day onto the stage, the scene fails. Leadership is no different. We play many roles—the efficient delegator, the empathetic coach, the bold visionary. These aren't masks; they are authentic "costumes" we wear to meet the moment. But if you don't "shake out" the energy of a budget crisis before walking into a sensitive one-on-one, your team feels that residue. This episode is about the power of the 30-second transition and why your energy speaks louder than your words. shaking it out, team connection, 5 things newsletter, the leftover vibe, modern leadership, improv in leadership, leadership, self-awareness, inclusive management, mindful leadership, the equality institute, management tips, transition rituals, inclusive leadership, connection before content, good vibes leadership, professional development, authentic leadership, corporate culture, 30-second reset, leadership costumes, emotional intelligence, manifestor energy, intentionality, workplace culture, bernadette smith false full 152 a895a5d5-502b-4a28-b20c-a56890ea7887 Voluntold 5 Things: Good Vibes in DEI is now Good Vibes Leadership What's that? I talk about the transition and what that means for the show going forward. 

I recently sat in a room full of ERG leaders who were hitting a wall of fatigue. When I asked how they actually started their leadership journey, the answer was universal: They were invited. In this micro-lesson, I’m breaking down why "voluntelling" someone isn't a burden—it’s a vote of confidence. We explore the fear of career stalling, the privilege of having the bandwidth to say "yes," and how to handle it when someone chooses to protect their peace.

Good Vibes to Go

  • The Power of the Ask: Why personal invitations bridge the gap that job postings can't.
  • The Safety Factor: Understanding why folks are hesitant to step up in the current corporate climate.
  • Respecting the "No": How to view a decline as an act of self-preservation, not a lack of commitment.
  • Your Challenge: Who is one person in your orbit that needs to hear, "I see your potential"?

Connect with Me

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Mon, 23 Feb 2026 18:12:29 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/voluntold-YzWA_3cw 5 Things: Good Vibes in DEI is now Good Vibes Leadership What's that? I talk about the transition and what that means for the show going forward. 

I recently sat in a room full of ERG leaders who were hitting a wall of fatigue. When I asked how they actually started their leadership journey, the answer was universal: They were invited. In this micro-lesson, I’m breaking down why "voluntelling" someone isn't a burden—it’s a vote of confidence. We explore the fear of career stalling, the privilege of having the bandwidth to say "yes," and how to handle it when someone chooses to protect their peace.

Good Vibes to Go

  • The Power of the Ask: Why personal invitations bridge the gap that job postings can't.
  • The Safety Factor: Understanding why folks are hesitant to step up in the current corporate climate.
  • Respecting the "No": How to view a decline as an act of self-preservation, not a lack of commitment.
  • Your Challenge: Who is one person in your orbit that needs to hear, "I see your potential"?

Connect with Me

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Voluntold Bernadette Smith 00:09:09 5 Things: Good Vibes in DEI is now Good Vibes Leadership! What's that? I talk about the transition and what that means for the show going forward. I also tell a story about people stepping into leadership because they were "Voluntold." 5 Things: Good Vibes in DEI is now Good Vibes Leadership! What's that? I talk about the transition and what that means for the show going forward. I also tell a story about people stepping into leadership because they were "Voluntold." leadership, social impact, corporate responsibility, inclusive leadership, good vibes leadership, inclusion, 5thingsdei, olympics false full 151 dc73361e-ce23-43a2-9af1-983d06d72463 Traitors In this solo episode, I recap the latest good vibes in DEI. This week the stories are about Out athletes at the Olympics, Laila Edwards making history on Team USA, Super Bowl fans getting tactile access, and more! I also spoke about the New York Times article by Nikole Hannah-Jones, which gave me hope: What It Means to Be a White Race Traitor.

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • 47 Out Olympians
  • Latino joy took center field
  • Access took the main stage
  • Football you can feel
  • Fire safety gets a new voice
  • Visibility with protection, not punishment

Good Vibes to Go: 

Chris Simmons, the first Black Partner elected to the US Governing Board of PwC, has a new book out: NOBODY TOLD YOU: What Blacks, Asians and Latinos Must Know to Win at Work. It’s on sale on Kindle. Chris is a wise man and I’m really enjoying this book! It’s a great book for everyone.

Read the Stories.

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Watch 5 Things Live on YouTube.

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]]> Mon, 16 Feb 2026 21:29:24 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/traitors-37n_nBxI In this solo episode, I recap the latest good vibes in DEI. This week the stories are about Out athletes at the Olympics, Laila Edwards making history on Team USA, Super Bowl fans getting tactile access, and more! I also spoke about the New York Times article by Nikole Hannah-Jones, which gave me hope: What It Means to Be a White Race Traitor.

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • 47 Out Olympians
  • Latino joy took center field
  • Access took the main stage
  • Football you can feel
  • Fire safety gets a new voice
  • Visibility with protection, not punishment

Good Vibes to Go: 

Chris Simmons, the first Black Partner elected to the US Governing Board of PwC, has a new book out: NOBODY TOLD YOU: What Blacks, Asians and Latinos Must Know to Win at Work. It’s on sale on Kindle. Chris is a wise man and I’m really enjoying this book! It’s a great book for everyone.

Read the Stories.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch 5 Things Live on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Traitors Bernadette Smith 00:09:09 In this solo episode, I recap the latest good vibes in DEI. This week the stories are about Out athletes at the Olympics, Laila Edwards making history on Team USA, Super Bowl fans getting tactile access, and more! I also spoke about the New York Times article by Nikole Hannah-Jones, which gave me hope: What It Means to Be a White Race Traitor. In this solo episode, I recap the latest good vibes in DEI. This week the stories are about Out athletes at the Olympics, Laila Edwards making history on Team USA, Super Bowl fans getting tactile access, and more! I also spoke about the New York Times article by Nikole Hannah-Jones, which gave me hope: What It Means to Be a White Race Traitor. online backlash, winter olympics, bad bunny, lgbtq athletes, celimar rivera cosme, sign language, deaf inclusion, latino representation, inclusive design, entertainment weekly, outsports, puerto rican sign language, tactile device, disability access, emergency response, outsmart, operation 7 save a life, onecourt, puerto rican culture, super bowl lx, out olympians, bill ritter, lillian bonsignore, milan olympics, abc news, fire safety, athlete safety, team usa, amber glenn, blind fans, 5thingsdei, public service leadership, live performance, low vision, new york city, fdny, accessible sports false full 150 c3cff273-7afc-47c9-9bb8-9a5783b632bb Awkward In this solo episode, I recap the latest good vibes in DEI. This week the stories are about Miis matching real people, Bad Bunny breaking the Grammy ceiling, and Olympics coverage getting more accessible, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • Miis Finally Match Real People
  • Bad Bunny Breaks Grammy Ceiling
  • Knitting Turns Into Collective Power
  • Happy Trees, Public Media Relief
  • Olympics Coverage Gets More Accessible

Good Vibes to Go: 

If you haven’t yet watched Schitt’s Creek, now is a great time to settle in and laugh and laugh and laugh. RIP Catherine O’Hara. I'm re-watching.

Read the Stories.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch 5 Things Live on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Mon, 9 Feb 2026 18:57:13 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/awkward-ErSccq5A In this solo episode, I recap the latest good vibes in DEI. This week the stories are about Miis matching real people, Bad Bunny breaking the Grammy ceiling, and Olympics coverage getting more accessible, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • Miis Finally Match Real People
  • Bad Bunny Breaks Grammy Ceiling
  • Knitting Turns Into Collective Power
  • Happy Trees, Public Media Relief
  • Olympics Coverage Gets More Accessible

Good Vibes to Go: 

If you haven’t yet watched Schitt’s Creek, now is a great time to settle in and laugh and laugh and laugh. RIP Catherine O’Hara. I'm re-watching.

Read the Stories.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch 5 Things Live on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Awkward Bernadette Smith 00:11:21 In this solo episode, I recap the latest good vibes in DEI. This week the stories are about Miis matching real people, Bad Bunny breaking the Grammy ceiling, and Olympics coverage getting more accessible, and more! In this solo episode, I recap the latest good vibes in DEI. This week the stories are about Miis matching real people, Bad Bunny breaking the Grammy ceiling, and Olympics coverage getting more accessible, and more! audio description, tomodachi life, disability inclusion, bad bunny, latin music, immigrant rights, inclusive gaming, disability scoop, bob ross, recording academy, grammy history, people magazine, nbcuniversal, craft activism, arts philanthropy, ice protest, pbs support, milan cortina, public media, paralympic access, protest knitting, spanish-language album, cbs news, media accessibility, captioning, community fundraising, 5thingsdei, lgbtq+ inclusion, nintendo, nonbinary avatars, gender identity false full 149 7e5a1425-13ff-4e24-a648-661ca855b0b5 Moving In this solo episode, the stories are about papers for undocumented residents in Spain, debt-free access at Yale, and paid internships for all at Dartmouth, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • Spain says papers for people
  • Yale expands debt-free access
  • Olympians get retirement-style support
  • Dartmouth funds internships for all
  • Minnesota CEOs demand de-escalation

Good Vibes to Go: 

Check out Marcello Hernández’s standup special American Boy on Netflix. It takes a while to get really funny but I ended up being utterly charmed. Good vibes indeed.

Read the Stories.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch 5 Things Live on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Wed, 4 Feb 2026 15:29:42 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/moving-O7p_Wqyu In this solo episode, the stories are about papers for undocumented residents in Spain, debt-free access at Yale, and paid internships for all at Dartmouth, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • Spain says papers for people
  • Yale expands debt-free access
  • Olympians get retirement-style support
  • Dartmouth funds internships for all
  • Minnesota CEOs demand de-escalation

Good Vibes to Go: 

Check out Marcello Hernández’s standup special American Boy on Netflix. It takes a while to get really funny but I ended up being utterly charmed. Good vibes indeed.

Read the Stories.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch 5 Things Live on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Moving Bernadette Smith 00:09:23 In this solo episode, the stories are about papers for undocumented residents in Spain, debt-free access at Yale, and paid internships for all at Dartmouth, and more! In this solo episode, the stories are about papers for undocumented residents in Spain, debt-free access at Yale, and paid internships for all at Dartmouth, and more! unitedhealth, athlete benefits, asylum policy, unpaid labor, workplace safety, minnesota chamber, college access, financial aid, tuition waiver, dartmouth, minnesota timberwolves, low wealth, olympians, ross stevens, target, internship equity, de-escalation, conservation, yale, paid internships, milan cortina, labor rights, minnesota, paralympians, debt-free college, minnesota vikings, immigration enforcement, business coalition, immigration reform, community impact, usopc, retirement security, best buy, public service, 5thingsdei, work permits, global health, career access, spain regularization, arts internships, immigrant workers true full 148 2943c3e0-acf5-443c-9980-d2896a13bb30 Deep In this solo episode, I recap the latest good vibes in DEI. This week our conversation is about pickleball making access the default, autistic Barbie done with care, bonuses for the whole crew, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • Pickleball makes access the default
  • Autistic Barbie, done with care
  • Bonuses for the whole crew
  • A font that saves seconds
  • Minecraft breaks the censorship wall 

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: It’s Girl Scout Cookie time! Here’s the now-annual list of trans kids to order Girl Scount cookies from.

Read the Stories.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch 5 Things Live on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Mon, 26 Jan 2026 20:25:45 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/deep-trDcGjJK In this solo episode, I recap the latest good vibes in DEI. This week our conversation is about pickleball making access the default, autistic Barbie done with care, bonuses for the whole crew, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • Pickleball makes access the default
  • Autistic Barbie, done with care
  • Bonuses for the whole crew
  • A font that saves seconds
  • Minecraft breaks the censorship wall 

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: It’s Girl Scout Cookie time! Here’s the now-annual list of trans kids to order Girl Scount cookies from.

Read the Stories.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch 5 Things Live on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Deep Bernadette Smith 00:08:26 In this solo episode, I recap the latest good vibes in DEI. This week our conversation is about pickleball making access the default, autistic Barbie done with care, bonuses for the whole crew, and more! In this solo episode, I recap the latest good vibes in DEI. This week our conversation is about pickleball making access the default, autistic Barbie done with care, bonuses for the whole crew, and more! inclusive coaching, uncensored library, disability inclusion, minecraft, matt damon, road safety, sign language, wage fairness, dupr, inclusive design, adaptive sports, netflix, asan, reporters without borders, representation matters, autism inclusion, sensory supports, digital inclusion, all india pickleball association, aac device, rsf, volvo centum, film labor, autistic self advocacy network, pay equity, workplace equity, mattel, autistic barbie, aipa, artists equity, ben affleck, volvo, sports equity, dalton maag, press freedom, pickleball access, crew bonuses, accessible information, readable type, ui safety, profit sharing, deaf athletes, censorship, 5thingsdei, mauli school, the rip, fashionistas, low vision false full 147 39e9f702-6136-4c19-9140-413ccdb573f9 2025 Review In this week's solo episode, I recapped the most popular story and edition from last year, plus shared new good vibes about returning tribal land, safer design for women, inclusive recognition for same-sex couples, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • California returns 17,000 tribal acres
  • World’s first disabled dog park thrives
  • South Korean census finally recognizes same-sex couples
  • DOT backs advanced female crash test dummy
  • BABES Act wins real travel protections

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Read Emily St. James’ novel Woodworking about a sweet teacher-student friendship. It’s a great, easy read with good vibes and interesting characters.  

Read the Stories.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch 5 Things Live on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 13 Jan 2026 18:37:23 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/2025-review-gSvmf_jz In this week's solo episode, I recapped the most popular story and edition from last year, plus shared new good vibes about returning tribal land, safer design for women, inclusive recognition for same-sex couples, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • California returns 17,000 tribal acres
  • World’s first disabled dog park thrives
  • South Korean census finally recognizes same-sex couples
  • DOT backs advanced female crash test dummy
  • BABES Act wins real travel protections

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Read Emily St. James’ novel Woodworking about a sweet teacher-student friendship. It’s a great, easy read with good vibes and interesting characters.  

Read the Stories.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch 5 Things Live on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 2025 Review Bernadette Smith 00:09:56 In this week's solo episode, I recapped the most popular story and edition from last year, plus shared new good vibes about returning tribal land, safer design for women, inclusive recognition for same-sex couples, and more! In this week's solo episode, I recapped the most popular story and edition from last year, plus shared new good vibes about returning tribal land, safer design for women, inclusive recognition for same-sex couples, and more! u.s. department of transportation, inclusive parks, south korea, airport screening, crash safety, road safety, census data, broken biscuits, gender data, land stewardship, community access, tule river indian tribe, california, lgbtq inclusion, babes act, same-sex couples, animal mobility, national statistics, breastfeeding travel, disabled dogs, environmental justice, the conservation fund, inclusive policy, travel equity, tribal land return, tsa, lactation rights, 5thingsdei, injury prevention, female dummy, systemic equity, accessible design, indigenous sovereignty, dot, vehicle design false full 146 7c3c3b28-2b34-4ecf-8320-e8d2e7883207 Outrage with Donald D. Gilliam Donald D. Gilliam, Co-Founder, Critical Collective, LLC and I recap the latest 5 Things: Good Vibes in DEI. This week our conversation is about intersex justice, inclusive healthcare, women redefining leadership, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • Europe finally shows up for intersex rights
  • New York puts dignity in cancer care
  • e.l.f. Beauty claps back for inclusion
  • Relooted lets Africa take its treasures back
  • Church of England finally gets a her-story moment

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Want some hope? Watch Famous Last Words on Netflix, featuring Jane Goodall. Also, it’s Indigenous People’s Day, a great day to watch North of North on Netflix.

Donald’s GVTG: Stay unconventional. You will still be okay. Whatever you define as typical, think about another side to that queue, and be that. We need more color in the world. 

Read the Stories.

Connect with Donald D. Gilliam and here. 

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch 5 Things Live on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:13:30 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Donald D Gilliam, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/outrage-with-donald-d-gilliam-ASRzj4TW Donald D. Gilliam, Co-Founder, Critical Collective, LLC and I recap the latest 5 Things: Good Vibes in DEI. This week our conversation is about intersex justice, inclusive healthcare, women redefining leadership, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • Europe finally shows up for intersex rights
  • New York puts dignity in cancer care
  • e.l.f. Beauty claps back for inclusion
  • Relooted lets Africa take its treasures back
  • Church of England finally gets a her-story moment

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Want some hope? Watch Famous Last Words on Netflix, featuring Jane Goodall. Also, it’s Indigenous People’s Day, a great day to watch North of North on Netflix.

Donald’s GVTG: Stay unconventional. You will still be okay. Whatever you define as typical, think about another side to that queue, and be that. We need more color in the world. 

Read the Stories.

Connect with Donald D. Gilliam and here. 

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch 5 Things Live on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Outrage with Donald D. Gilliam Donald D Gilliam, Bernadette Smith 00:19:27 Donald D. Gilliam, Co-Founder, Critical Collective, LLC and I recap the latest 5 Things: Good Vibes in DEI. This week our conversation is about intersex justice, inclusive healthcare, women redefining leadership, and more! Donald D. Gilliam, Co-Founder, Critical Collective, LLC and I recap the latest 5 Things: Good Vibes in DEI. This week our conversation is about intersex justice, inclusive healthcare, women redefining leadership, and more! relooted, intersex rights, sarah mullally, dei, religious leadership, e.l.f. beauty, scalp cooling, council of europe, 5thingsdei, decolonial gaming false full 145 8fa98c48-d004-47a1-8710-f7382b0fe7e4 What's your deal? with Maria Gallucci Maria Gallucci (she/her), Award-winning realtor and proud CODA and I recap the latest 5 Things: Good Vibes in DEI. This week our conversation is about Deaf athletes smashing barriers, Target’s accessible checkout, Costa Rica’s trans political breakthrough, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • Deaf athletes smash barriers on the court
  • Target finally gets checkout right
  • Costa Rica votes for trans visibility
  • Sesame Street hugs military kids
  • Walmart cuts the color—literally

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Watch some of Zarna Garg’s stand up comedy. She has two hilarious specials on Hulu, including this year’s Practical People Win. I like it when people don’t take themselves or their cultures too seriously. 

Maria’s GVTG: Try to love everybody…and support the LGBTQ+ community through your local LGBTQ center. More at lgbtqcenters.org.

Read the Stories.

Connect with Maria Gallucci.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch 5 Things Live on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Mon, 6 Oct 2025 19:23:50 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/whats-your-deal-with-maria-gallucci-RvUedTOo Maria Gallucci (she/her), Award-winning realtor and proud CODA and I recap the latest 5 Things: Good Vibes in DEI. This week our conversation is about Deaf athletes smashing barriers, Target’s accessible checkout, Costa Rica’s trans political breakthrough, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • Deaf athletes smash barriers on the court
  • Target finally gets checkout right
  • Costa Rica votes for trans visibility
  • Sesame Street hugs military kids
  • Walmart cuts the color—literally

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Watch some of Zarna Garg’s stand up comedy. She has two hilarious specials on Hulu, including this year’s Practical People Win. I like it when people don’t take themselves or their cultures too seriously. 

Maria’s GVTG: Try to love everybody…and support the LGBTQ+ community through your local LGBTQ center. More at lgbtqcenters.org.

Read the Stories.

Connect with Maria Gallucci.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch 5 Things Live on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> What's your deal? with Maria Gallucci Bernadette Smith 00:18:58 Maria Gallucci (she/her), Award-winning realtor and proud COD and I recap the latest 5 Things: Good Vibes in DEI. This week our conversation is about Deaf athletes smashing barriers, Target’s accessible checkout, Costa Rica’s trans political breakthrough, and more! Maria Gallucci (she/her), Award-winning realtor and proud COD and I recap the latest 5 Things: Good Vibes in DEI. This week our conversation is about Deaf athletes smashing barriers, Target’s accessible checkout, Costa Rica’s trans political breakthrough, and more! equity, sesame street, inclusive design, walmart, community, recreation, disability, deaf pickleball, military families, target, policy, accessibility, inclusion, 5thingsdei, representation, hernández false full 144 7ce53dee-6631-41c6-9990-6cd893cb9c11 Hot to Go with Karen Coyne Karen Coyne,  President, Clarity Planning and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about women breaking symbolic ceilings, deaf-led service innovation, transformational philanthropy, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • The Grito Gets a Gender Upgrade
  • When Coffee Demands Inclusion
  • $70 Million That Changes the Equation
  • NASA Gets a Gender Upgrade
  • Fish Equity Isn’t Just a Metaphor

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Watch North of North on Netflix. It’s a great sitcom about an Indigenous community in Canada, created by Indigenous folks themselves and it’s just hilarious.

Karen’s GVTG: October is National Financial Planning month. This means unmarried people, too! If this is you, it’s really important to do planning and estate planning in particular because we don't have the same factory defaults that a married couple has. Check out my podcast episodes with Joshua Charles, where we talked about planning considerations for unmarried folks.

Read the Stories.

Connect with Karen Coyne. 

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Mon, 29 Sep 2025 18:23:11 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Karen Coyne, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/hot-to-go-with-karen-coyne-WOu2Xp5S Karen Coyne,  President, Clarity Planning and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about women breaking symbolic ceilings, deaf-led service innovation, transformational philanthropy, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • The Grito Gets a Gender Upgrade
  • When Coffee Demands Inclusion
  • $70 Million That Changes the Equation
  • NASA Gets a Gender Upgrade
  • Fish Equity Isn’t Just a Metaphor

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Watch North of North on Netflix. It’s a great sitcom about an Indigenous community in Canada, created by Indigenous folks themselves and it’s just hilarious.

Karen’s GVTG: October is National Financial Planning month. This means unmarried people, too! If this is you, it’s really important to do planning and estate planning in particular because we don't have the same factory defaults that a married couple has. Check out my podcast episodes with Joshua Charles, where we talked about planning considerations for unmarried folks.

Read the Stories.

Connect with Karen Coyne. 

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Hot to Go with Karen Coyne Karen Coyne, Bernadette Smith 00:21:50 Karen Coyne,  President, Clarity Planning and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about women breaking symbolic ceilings, deaf-led service innovation, transformational philanthropy, and more! Karen Coyne,  President, Clarity Planning and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about women breaking symbolic ceilings, deaf-led service innovation, transformational philanthropy, and more! equity, dei, hbcu, nasa, breast cancer, philanthropy, deaf community, mackenzie scott, environmental justice, accessibility, american fisheries society, claudia sheinbaum, fishcast false full 143 275962ac-88d5-4816-95a8-4401aa3da153 #doingthework with Jad-Évangelo Nasser Jad-Évangelo Nasser (He/Él/Lui), Global Inclusion Expert and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about ice cream without activism, bank wages hitting $25, bath bombs for trans rights, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • Ice cream without activism
  • Bank wages hit $25
  • Thailand extends pregnancy leave
  • Boston church confronts slavery ties
  • Bath bombs for trans rights

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Several major Jewish holidays start this week, including Rosh Hashana on Monday. Shanah Tovah to all who celebrate. Learn more about the Jewish holidays in this LinkedIn post by our friends at Seva Global. 

Jad-Évangelo’s GVTG: Travel more and make a new friend as an adult! 

Read the Stories.

Connect with Jad-Évangelo Nasser

Check out Jad’s TEDx Talk. 

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Mon, 22 Sep 2025 21:51:35 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Jad-Évangelo Nasser, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/doingthework-with-jad-evangelo-nasser-uszAl7Gb Jad-Évangelo Nasser (He/Él/Lui), Global Inclusion Expert and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about ice cream without activism, bank wages hitting $25, bath bombs for trans rights, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • Ice cream without activism
  • Bank wages hit $25
  • Thailand extends pregnancy leave
  • Boston church confronts slavery ties
  • Bath bombs for trans rights

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Several major Jewish holidays start this week, including Rosh Hashana on Monday. Shanah Tovah to all who celebrate. Learn more about the Jewish holidays in this LinkedIn post by our friends at Seva Global. 

Jad-Évangelo’s GVTG: Travel more and make a new friend as an adult! 

Read the Stories.

Connect with Jad-Évangelo Nasser

Check out Jad’s TEDx Talk. 

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> #doingthework with Jad-Évangelo Nasser Jad-Évangelo Nasser, Bernadette Smith 00:23:09 Jad-Évangelo Nasser (He/Él/Lui), Global Inclusion Expert and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about ice cream without activism, bank wages hitting $25, bath bombs for trans rights, and more! Jad-Évangelo Nasser (He/Él/Lui), Global Inclusion Expert and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about ice cream without activism, bank wages hitting $25, bath bombs for trans rights, and more! corporate activism, bank of america, transgender equality network ireland, equity, old south church, ben & jerry’s, dei progress, minimum wage, systemic bias, lush, trans rights, church accountability, corporate responsibility, slavery reparations, inclusive business, parental leave, transactual, worker pay, 5thingsdei false full 142 4e362997-d682-49e3-8458-bc09fee30351 Grounding with Rachel Shaw Rachel Shaw (she/her), President at Shaw HR Consulting and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about beer with a braille bonus, child care goes universal, rainbow door opening at the Vatican, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • Beer with a Braille Bonus
  • Free Tuition, Priceless Access
  • Full Bellies, Full Futures
  • Child Care Goes Universal
  • Rainbow Door Opens at Vatican

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Read the novel Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez. It’s a delightful book that is being adapted by Eva Longoria for film.

Rachel’s GVTG: On social media, follow people who spread joy. Share their messages and cultivate an algorithm of positivity. 

Read the Stories.

Connect with Rachel Shaw and on socials @officialrachelshaw 

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Mon, 15 Sep 2025 19:46:37 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Rachel Shaw, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/grounding-with-rachel-shaw-RZ60Qnrf Rachel Shaw (she/her), President at Shaw HR Consulting and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about beer with a braille bonus, child care goes universal, rainbow door opening at the Vatican, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • Beer with a Braille Bonus
  • Free Tuition, Priceless Access
  • Full Bellies, Full Futures
  • Child Care Goes Universal
  • Rainbow Door Opens at Vatican

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Read the novel Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez. It’s a delightful book that is being adapted by Eva Longoria for film.

Rachel’s GVTG: On social media, follow people who spread joy. Share their messages and cultivate an algorithm of positivity. 

Read the Stories.

Connect with Rachel Shaw and on socials @officialrachelshaw 

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Grounding with Rachel Shaw Rachel Shaw, Bernadette Smith 00:24:34 Rachel Shaw (she/her), President at Shaw HR Consulting and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about beer with a braille bonus, child care goes universal, rainbow door opening at the Vatican, and more! Rachel Shaw (she/her), President at Shaw HR Consulting and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about beer with a braille bonus, child care goes universal, rainbow door opening at the Vatican, and more! braille printer, universal childcare, inclusive design, college access, checkerspot brewing company, higher education, vatican, workforce equity, tufts university, early childhood, tuition free, lgbtq inclusion, school meals, accessibility, blind industries & services of maryland, adaptive technology, 5thingsdei, catholic church, food security, new ways ministry false full 141 b664902e-97a1-4f42-a7e6-4164b9648a21 Overblown with Julie Kratz Julie Kratz (she/her), founder of Next Pivot Point and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about honoring disability justice with a new quarter, building groundbreaking housing for adults with autism, tackling Denmark’s reading crisis, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • Rolling change into history
  • Autism housing breaks the mold
  • Gig workers want more than “flexibility”
  • Where kids don’t have to hide
  • Denmark takes the tax off reading

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Looking for some fresh data to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts? The Human Rights Campaign foundation reports that companies in the highest Corporate Equality Index score quartile saw average revenue growth of 12.31% over 15 years, more than double the 5.23% growth of companies in the lowest quartile. Read more here.

Julie's GVTG: We need to be invite others to participate in allyship with a very clear, direct ask. They're actually waiting for the invitation.  What if we were the one to give them, with no reasons not to join. 

Read the Stories.

Connect with Julie Kratz.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Mon, 8 Sep 2025 19:01:44 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith, Julie Kratz) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/overblown-with-julie-kratz-fXEUXOJI Julie Kratz (she/her), founder of Next Pivot Point and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about honoring disability justice with a new quarter, building groundbreaking housing for adults with autism, tackling Denmark’s reading crisis, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • Rolling change into history
  • Autism housing breaks the mold
  • Gig workers want more than “flexibility”
  • Where kids don’t have to hide
  • Denmark takes the tax off reading

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Looking for some fresh data to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts? The Human Rights Campaign foundation reports that companies in the highest Corporate Equality Index score quartile saw average revenue growth of 12.31% over 15 years, more than double the 5.23% growth of companies in the lowest quartile. Read more here.

Julie's GVTG: We need to be invite others to participate in allyship with a very clear, direct ask. They're actually waiting for the invitation.  What if we were the one to give them, with no reasons not to join. 

Read the Stories.

Connect with Julie Kratz.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Overblown with Julie Kratz Bernadette Smith, Julie Kratz 00:22:37 Julie Kratz (she/her), founder of Next Pivot Point and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about honoring disability justice with a new quarter, building groundbreaking housing for adults with autism, tackling Denmark’s reading crisis, and more! Julie Kratz (she/her), founder of Next Pivot Point and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about honoring disability justice with a new quarter, building groundbreaking housing for adults with autism, tackling Denmark’s reading crisis, and more! camp agape, disability justice, inclusive housing, denmark culture, shiftkey, portable benefits, doordash, stride health, parents with a plan, oecd, childhood resilience, stacey park milbern, autism support, book access, trauma-informed care, literacy crisis, gig workers, rutgers, u.s. mint false full 140 34bcaafc-fb3f-4d57-ac37-ac9c497fab99 Patience with Elaine Marino Elaine Marino (she/her/ella), Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Meltwater and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about paid leave for period pain, rocking true access in our national parks, queer rights protection in Illinois, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • Portugal pays up for period pain
  • Rocky Mountain rolls out real access
  • Live Nation finally hits inclusion notes
  • Illinois schools the nation on queer rights
  • Princeton pays up, but diversity slips

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Looking for a light, fun TV series? Check out Acupulco on Apple TV. The dialogue is in English and Spanish and it's a great celebration of family and culture. 

Elaine’s GVTG: Listen to or read “Born a Crime”, Trevor Noah’s memoir. Listening to it is ideal as he is hilarious as he tells stories from his childhood growing up in South Africa.

Read the Stories.

Connect with Elaine Marino.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Mon, 25 Aug 2025 18:08:34 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Elaine Marino, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/patience-with-elaine-marino-dAfz_0VB Elaine Marino (she/her/ella), Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Meltwater and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about paid leave for period pain, rocking true access in our national parks, queer rights protection in Illinois, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • Portugal pays up for period pain
  • Rocky Mountain rolls out real access
  • Live Nation finally hits inclusion notes
  • Illinois schools the nation on queer rights
  • Princeton pays up, but diversity slips

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Looking for a light, fun TV series? Check out Acupulco on Apple TV. The dialogue is in English and Spanish and it's a great celebration of family and culture. 

Elaine’s GVTG: Listen to or read “Born a Crime”, Trevor Noah’s memoir. Listening to it is ideal as he is hilarious as he tells stories from his childhood growing up in South Africa.

Read the Stories.

Connect with Elaine Marino.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Patience with Elaine Marino Elaine Marino, Bernadette Smith 00:23:32 Elaine Marino (she/her/ella), Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Meltwater and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about paid leave for period pain, rocking true access in our national parks, queer rights protection in Illinois, and more! Elaine Marino (she/her/ella), Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Meltwater and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about paid leave for period pain, rocking true access in our national parks, queer rights protection in Illinois, and more! kulturecity, endometriosis, rocky mountain conservancy, diversity in admissions, harvard, financial aid, aids foundation chicago, legal council for health justice, higher education, lgbtq rights, adenomyosis, mit, princeton university, disability rights, sensory inclusion, workplace inclusion, alma chicago, brave space alliance, legal hotline, accessibility, university of pennsylvania, menstrual leave, neurodiversity, illinois department of human services, live nation, 5thingsdei, national parks false full 139 c7d38905-0033-486a-81d1-fe62154f2a55 Uprising with Shanna Weber Shanna Weber from Prima Consulting and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about flushing bathroom bans, rolling out southern hospitality in Spanish, designing trails for every body, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • Hot Flashes Meet Hot Policy
  • Bo-Linda Bids Bienvenidos
  • Where Every Sense Gets a Seat
  • Bathroom Ban Flushed in Hong Kong
  • Tampon Tax Tossed in Missouri

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Check out the The Asian American Journalists Association Style Guide, a great resource for anyone in communications.

Shanna’s GVTG: Make sure that you see the superpowers in everybody throughout the day. Find the superpower in each person you meet and bring that into your life. 

Read the Stories.

Connect with Shanna Webber.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2025 20:36:02 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Shanna Weber, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/uprising-with-shanna-weber-B05mTj_d Shanna Weber from Prima Consulting and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about flushing bathroom bans, rolling out southern hospitality in Spanish, designing trails for every body, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • Hot Flashes Meet Hot Policy
  • Bo-Linda Bids Bienvenidos
  • Where Every Sense Gets a Seat
  • Bathroom Ban Flushed in Hong Kong
  • Tampon Tax Tossed in Missouri

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Check out the The Asian American Journalists Association Style Guide, a great resource for anyone in communications.

Shanna’s GVTG: Make sure that you see the superpowers in everybody throughout the day. Find the superpower in each person you meet and bring that into your life. 

Read the Stories.

Connect with Shanna Webber.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Uprising with Shanna Weber Shanna Weber, Bernadette Smith 00:21:16 Shanna Weber from Prima Consulting and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about flushing bathroom bans, rolling out southern hospitality in Spanish, designing trails for every body, and more! Shanna Weber from Prima Consulting and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about flushing bathroom bans, rolling out southern hospitality in Spanish, designing trails for every body, and more! disability inclusion, transgender rights, sensory trail, tax reform, accessibility design, bojangles, workplace inclusion, southern hospitality, hong kong, diaper banks, public policy, language accessibility, missouri appleseed, 5thingsdei, menstrual equity, menopause accommodations, gender identity false full 138 86cb5503-d4ef-45b9-9ca4-e1838e2e3db4 Commonalities with Tom Alexander Tom Alexander (he/him), CEO and Co-Founder at Holistic and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about paychecks getting a boost, pop stars signing for change, women running the show in baseball, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • Wages Up, Bills Still Due
  • Coffee, Prescriptions, Groceries… and Access
  • K-Pop, But Make It Sign
  • Women Call the Shots in Baseball
  • Runway Rich in Culture and Cash

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: My good friend Julie Kratz has a new book! Check out We Want You: An Allyship Guide for People with Power, where I also happen to be quoted and share a story or two. Let’s make this book a bestseller!  

Tom’s GVTG: Use your notes app to create a daily log titled “People are always doing nice things for me” and add one thing every day to the bottom of the list. Scroll through the whole list every time you add for some extra good vibes!

Read the Stories.

Connect with Tom Alexander

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Mon, 11 Aug 2025 18:33:05 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Tom Alexander, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/commonalities-with-tom-alexander-Ga5aOGiC Tom Alexander (he/him), CEO and Co-Founder at Holistic and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about paychecks getting a boost, pop stars signing for change, women running the show in baseball, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • Wages Up, Bills Still Due
  • Coffee, Prescriptions, Groceries… and Access
  • K-Pop, But Make It Sign
  • Women Call the Shots in Baseball
  • Runway Rich in Culture and Cash

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: My good friend Julie Kratz has a new book! Check out We Want You: An Allyship Guide for People with Power, where I also happen to be quoted and share a story or two. Let’s make this book a bestseller!  

Tom’s GVTG: Use your notes app to create a daily log titled “People are always doing nice things for me” and add one thing every day to the bottom of the list. Scroll through the whole list every time you add for some extra good vibes!

Read the Stories.

Connect with Tom Alexander

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Commonalities with Tom Alexander Tom Alexander, Bernadette Smith 00:24:53 Tom Alexander (he/him), CEO and Co-Founder at Holistic and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about paychecks getting a boost, pop stars signing for change, women running the show in baseball, and more! Tom Alexander (he/him), CEO and Co-Founder at Holistic and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about paychecks getting a boost, pop stars signing for change, women running the show in baseball, and more! inflation, umpire, new york fashion week, minimum wage, inclusive design, walmart, hbcu designers, big ocean, american association of people with disabilities, women in sports, korean sign language, nesn, mlb, accessibility, k-pop, worker pay, chelsea grays, starbucks, 5thingsdei, undra celeste new york, the brand label, cvs health, deaf culture, national employment law project, ups false full 137 0497a83d-3d97-42b3-95f0-bf8a2d20d411 Survey Says with Veronica Smith Veronica Smith (she/they), Equitable research and data scientist and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Barbie rocking a CGM, Brits clocking out and leveling up, and why the UK’s done being gagged by NDAs—and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • UK Muzzles NDAs
  • Hamilton’s Bigger Race: Equity Wins
  • Cabs Provide a Bandaid
  • Barbie Rocks a CGM
  • Brits Clock Out and Level Up

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Check out this short TED Talk: The Case for a 4 Day Workweek. You’ll be convinced!

Veronica’s GVTG: Read the book Calling In: How to Start Making Change with Those You'd Rather Cancel By Loretta J Ross. 

Washington LGBTQ+ Survey findings

Dr. Leticia Nieto

Julia Ismael and The Equity Consortium 

Read the Stories.

Connect with Veronica Smith.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 22 Jul 2025 05:00:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith, Veronica S. Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/survey-says-with-veronica-smith-0jgsQ8gb Veronica Smith (she/they), Equitable research and data scientist and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Barbie rocking a CGM, Brits clocking out and leveling up, and why the UK’s done being gagged by NDAs—and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  • UK Muzzles NDAs
  • Hamilton’s Bigger Race: Equity Wins
  • Cabs Provide a Bandaid
  • Barbie Rocks a CGM
  • Brits Clock Out and Level Up

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Check out this short TED Talk: The Case for a 4 Day Workweek. You’ll be convinced!

Veronica’s GVTG: Read the book Calling In: How to Start Making Change with Those You'd Rather Cancel By Loretta J Ross. 

Washington LGBTQ+ Survey findings

Dr. Leticia Nieto

Julia Ismael and The Equity Consortium 

Read the Stories.

Connect with Veronica Smith.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Survey Says with Veronica Smith Bernadette Smith, Veronica S. Smith 00:22:21 Veronica Smith (she/they), Equitable research and data scientist and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Barbie rocking a CGM, Brits clocking out and leveling up, and why the UK’s done being gagged by NDAs—and more! Veronica Smith (she/they), Equitable research and data scientist and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Barbie rocking a CGM, Brits clocking out and leveling up, and why the UK’s done being gagged by NDAs—and more! disability inclusion, barbie fashionistas, mission44, trans inclusion, inclusive hiring, glucose monitor, workplace harassment, employee retention, mental health, night safety, type 1 diabetes, work-life balance, flexible work, workplace equity, mattel, four-day week, silverstone, ndas, public safety, employee well-being, skills-based hiring, ai in hr, caregiver inclusion, internal mobility, lewis hamilton, gender-based violence, breakthrough t1d, systemic change, urban design, 5thingsdei, barbie, gig economy, career development, insulin pump false full 136 83048502-0cbc-4109-8da8-93f5928e0f92 Simplicity with Celeste Warren Celeste Warren (she/her), Diversity & Inclusion Leader, Speaker, and Author, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about Denmark drafting women, Chicago Sky blocking trolls with national security tech, H-E-B delivering to flood zones, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Denmark Drafts Women
  2. Chicago Sky Blocks Trolls
  3. Accessibility: Not Extra, It’s Culture
  4. H-E-B Delivers More Than Groceries
  5. Sinners Streams in BASL

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: It’s Disability Pride month. For some great vibes, check out the documentary Crip Camp on Netflix. It’s about “a joyful disability revolution.” I loved it. 

Celeste’s GVTG: Check out Celeste’s new book, "Equity: It's Not a Dirty Word", everywhere you find books.

Read the Stories.

Connect with Celeste Warren.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 15 Jul 2025 17:50:59 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Celeste Warren, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/simplicity-with-celeste-warren-NOHTK3f0 Celeste Warren (she/her), Diversity & Inclusion Leader, Speaker, and Author, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about Denmark drafting women, Chicago Sky blocking trolls with national security tech, H-E-B delivering to flood zones, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Denmark Drafts Women
  2. Chicago Sky Blocks Trolls
  3. Accessibility: Not Extra, It’s Culture
  4. H-E-B Delivers More Than Groceries
  5. Sinners Streams in BASL

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: It’s Disability Pride month. For some great vibes, check out the documentary Crip Camp on Netflix. It’s about “a joyful disability revolution.” I loved it. 

Celeste’s GVTG: Check out Celeste’s new book, "Equity: It's Not a Dirty Word", everywhere you find books.

Read the Stories.

Connect with Celeste Warren.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Simplicity with Celeste Warren Celeste Warren, Bernadette Smith 00:24:11 Celeste Warren (she/her), Diversity & Inclusion Leader, Speaker, and Author, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about Denmark drafting women, Chicago Sky blocking trolls with national security tech, H-E-B delivering to flood zones, and more! Celeste Warren (she/her), Diversity & Inclusion Leader, Speaker, and Author, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about Denmark drafting women, Chicago Sky blocking trolls with national security tech, H-E-B delivering to flood zones, and more! streaming, employee wellbeing, equity, dei, mental health, cerebral palsy, community support, disability, social impact, sinners, max, intersectionality, chicago sky, wnba, basl, anti-harassment, grocery, player safety, business ethics, marginalized communities, h-e-b, inclusive leadership, black deaf, online safety, kerrville, accessibility, national security, disaster relief, harassment, systemic change, 5thingsdei, representation, moonshot, crisis response, ryan coogler, workplace culture, flooding, stutter, michael b. jordan, sports inclusion false full 135 e3ffc18c-7336-42c7-9812-c50a454a63fa Willing with Jim Fielding Jim Fielding (he/him), Founder, All Pride, No Ego, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about subway voices coming out, land stewardship flipping the script, prison newsrooms making history—and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Familiar Voice, Fresh Truth
  2. Access Isn’t Extra, It’s Essential
  3. From Newsstands to Masterpieces
  4. Miccosukee Take the Lead on Land
  5. Prison Walls, Loud Voices

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: It’s been 10 years since marriage equality became the law of the land here in the US. Enjoy this photo gallery of celebrations. 

Jim’s GVTG: 200,000 people defied a ban on Pride in Budapest, Hungary by showing up to resist. May this inspire you.

Read the Stories.

Connect with Jim Fielding.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 1 Jul 2025 18:07:22 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Jim Fielding, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/willing-with-jim-fielding-6MQJq7SM Jim Fielding (he/him), Founder, All Pride, No Ego, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about subway voices coming out, land stewardship flipping the script, prison newsrooms making history—and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Familiar Voice, Fresh Truth
  2. Access Isn’t Extra, It’s Essential
  3. From Newsstands to Masterpieces
  4. Miccosukee Take the Lead on Land
  5. Prison Walls, Loud Voices

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: It’s been 10 years since marriage equality became the law of the land here in the US. Enjoy this photo gallery of celebrations. 

Jim’s GVTG: 200,000 people defied a ban on Pride in Budapest, Hungary by showing up to resist. May this inspire you.

Read the Stories.

Connect with Jim Fielding.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Willing with Jim Fielding Jim Fielding, Bernadette Smith 00:23:06 Jim Fielding (he/him), Founder, All Pride, No Ego, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about subway voices coming out, land stewardship flipping the script, prison newsrooms making history—and more! Jim Fielding (he/him), Founder, All Pride, No Ego, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about subway voices coming out, land stewardship flipping the script, prison newsrooms making history—and more! public transit, dei innovation, disability inclusion, trauma-informed, central california women’s facility, community journalism, representation matters, systemic bias, mta, storytelling justice, florida wildlife corridor foundation, adaptive hospitality, inclusive storytelling, voice technology, land conservation, yai, the pollen initiative, restorative justice, morgan’s hotel, prison journalism, reentry programs, cultural stewardship, indigenous leadership, marginalized voices, inclusive media, 5thingsdei, native american fish and wildlife society, trans visibility, morgan’s wonderland, accessible design, inclusive art, the paper trail, media equity false full 134 40d08689-af04-4f7e-92b8-be45a04c86c4 Lanes with Julian Newman Julian Newman (he/him), Founder & CEO of FutureCast, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about standing ovations in leotards, women making spy history,  Fridays off for Dubai government workers, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Pay, Finally, Catches the Pom-Poms
  2. Jersey Says: Show Us the Money
  3. Spyglass Ceiling: Shattered at Last
  4. The World’s Most Inclusive Gym
  5. Dubai Ditches Fridays (For Some)

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Laugh a little! Check out Atsuko Okatsuka’s new standup special, Father, on Hulu. 

Julian’s GVTG: Life advice…”You don't have to be one to stand with." That means it doesn't have to be your lived experience to stand with somebody else who has a different lived experience. If somebody is in another lane and doesn't mean that you can't step out of your lane to be able to provide support for them. It doesn't rob me of my authenticity to be able to stand with somebody who has a different story than me. And it doesn't undermine my support because I do.

Read the Stories.

Connect with Julian Newman or his website. Check out his book Beautiful Together! 

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 24 Jun 2025 17:40:41 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Julian Newman, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/lanes-with-julian-newman-mvzLRmY4 Julian Newman (he/him), Founder & CEO of FutureCast, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about standing ovations in leotards, women making spy history,  Fridays off for Dubai government workers, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Pay, Finally, Catches the Pom-Poms
  2. Jersey Says: Show Us the Money
  3. Spyglass Ceiling: Shattered at Last
  4. The World’s Most Inclusive Gym
  5. Dubai Ditches Fridays (For Some)

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Laugh a little! Check out Atsuko Okatsuka’s new standup special, Father, on Hulu. 

Julian’s GVTG: Life advice…”You don't have to be one to stand with." That means it doesn't have to be your lived experience to stand with somebody else who has a different lived experience. If somebody is in another lane and doesn't mean that you can't step out of your lane to be able to provide support for them. It doesn't rob me of my authenticity to be able to stand with somebody who has a different story than me. And it doesn't undermine my support because I do.

Read the Stories.

Connect with Julian Newman or his website. Check out his book Beautiful Together! 

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Lanes with Julian Newman Julian Newman, Bernadette Smith 00:23:50 Julian Newman (he/him), Founder & CEO of FutureCast, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about standing ovations in leotards, women making spy history,  Fridays off for Dubai government workers, and more! Julian Newman (he/him), Founder & CEO of FutureCast, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about standing ovations in leotards, women making spy history,  Fridays off for Dubai government workers, and more! disability inclusion, flexible schedules, blaise metreweli, dubai government human resources department, employee wellbeing, dubai rta, adaptive sports, netflix, chattooga gymnastics, work-life balance, pay equity, public sector reform, workplace equity, dallas cowboys cheerleaders, neurodiversity inclusion, women in leadership, special olympics, workplace inclusion, government workers, dubai workweek, uk foreign office, new jersey department of labor, cheerleader pay, gender equity, dallas cowboys, pay transparency, inclusive gymnastics, dei legislation, 5thingsdei, new jersey law, mi6 false full 133 bcd87d24-8094-4b8e-9442-5a6cda8fd03e Eggshells with Randi Bryant Randi Bryant (she/her), DEI Revolutionist, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about paid leave that actually gets it, fertility wins on the court, rides without the tech headaches, CEOs handing out banana permission slips, and more!

Here Are This Week’s Good Vibes:

  1. Colorado Doubles Down for NICU Parents
  2. WTA Serves Up Fertility Flexibility
  3. Rides, Not Roadblocks: Uber Designs for Aging
  4. Go Bananas or Go Home
  5. Graduated With Honors, Then Denied

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: This week is Juneteenth. Check out this very educational podcast, Democracy: A Juneteenth Celebration. 

Randi’s GVTG: Read the book Black AF History: he Un-Whitewashed Story of America, by Michael Harriota. 

Read the Stories.

Connect with Randi Bryant.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 17 Jun 2025 15:01:12 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Randi Bryant, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/eggshells-with-randi-bryant-vJvwO_XP Randi Bryant (she/her), DEI Revolutionist, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about paid leave that actually gets it, fertility wins on the court, rides without the tech headaches, CEOs handing out banana permission slips, and more!

Here Are This Week’s Good Vibes:

  1. Colorado Doubles Down for NICU Parents
  2. WTA Serves Up Fertility Flexibility
  3. Rides, Not Roadblocks: Uber Designs for Aging
  4. Go Bananas or Go Home
  5. Graduated With Honors, Then Denied

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: This week is Juneteenth. Check out this very educational podcast, Democracy: A Juneteenth Celebration. 

Randi’s GVTG: Read the book Black AF History: he Un-Whitewashed Story of America, by Michael Harriota. 

Read the Stories.

Connect with Randi Bryant.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Eggshells with Randi Bryant Randi Bryant, Bernadette Smith 00:25:40 Randi Bryant (she/her), DEI Revolutionist, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about paid leave that actually gets it, fertility wins on the court, rides without the tech headaches, CEOs handing out banana permission slips, and more! Randi Bryant (she/her), DEI Revolutionist, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about paid leave that actually gets it, fertility wins on the court, rides without the tech headaches, CEOs handing out banana permission slips, and more! senior accessibility, ride-hailing, uber, air force academy, systemic bias, transgender rights, hunter marquez, colorado famli, ikea, ingka group, paid family leave, military ban, parental leave, fertility leave, nicu leave, fertility benefits, wta, innovation culture, aging population, dei policy, 5thingsdei, lgbtq+ inclusion, psychological safety, failure culture, elder care, reproductive health, sandwich generation false full 132 b8df37d4-af08-428e-9da3-f38624105f06 Unlearning with Sarah Kalmeta Sarah Kalmeta (she/her), Founder & Futurist, Pivot Point International, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about X marking a legal win, government jobs in Brazil getting a glow-up, and sensory joy on full display.

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Feel the Music, Literally
  2. Greenwood Gets Its Trust Fund
  3. X Marks Justice in Puerto Rico
  4. Field Day, Their Way
  5. Brazil to Get a Power Boost from Diversity

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Check out and subscribe to the weekly ​​Queer News podcast, an “Ambie award-winning weekly news podcast where race & sexuality meet politics, culture and entertainment.” The show is available on YouTube and everywhere. Queer News is hosted by Anna DeShawn, a former guest on my own show.

Sarah’s GVTG: A reminder that even if you tend to think that the glass is half empty, or if you think the glass is half full, it is always refillable. And you get to choose what you fill back up with. 

Read the Stories.

Connect with Sarah Kalmeta.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 10 Jun 2025 15:22:06 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Sarah Kalmeta, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/unlearning-with-sarah-kalmeta-CrWz_DvA Sarah Kalmeta (she/her), Founder & Futurist, Pivot Point International, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about X marking a legal win, government jobs in Brazil getting a glow-up, and sensory joy on full display.

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Feel the Music, Literally
  2. Greenwood Gets Its Trust Fund
  3. X Marks Justice in Puerto Rico
  4. Field Day, Their Way
  5. Brazil to Get a Power Boost from Diversity

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Check out and subscribe to the weekly ​​Queer News podcast, an “Ambie award-winning weekly news podcast where race & sexuality meet politics, culture and entertainment.” The show is available on YouTube and everywhere. Queer News is hosted by Anna DeShawn, a former guest on my own show.

Sarah’s GVTG: A reminder that even if you tend to think that the glass is half empty, or if you think the glass is half full, it is always refillable. And you get to choose what you fill back up with. 

Read the Stories.

Connect with Sarah Kalmeta.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Unlearning with Sarah Kalmeta Sarah Kalmeta, Bernadette Smith 00:22:38 Sarah Kalmeta (she/her), Founder & Futurist, Pivot Point International, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about X marking a legal win, government jobs in Brazil getting a glow-up, and sensory joy on full display. Sarah Kalmeta (she/her), Founder & Futurist, Pivot Point International, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about X marking a legal win, government jobs in Brazil getting a glow-up, and sensory joy on full display. social justice, inclusive hiring, government jobs, adaptive spaces, equity, dei, puerto rico, good vibes, diversity, neurodivergent, disability rights, sensory inclusion, legal win, pride, lgbtq+, accessibility, dei podcast, queer news, inclusion, pivot point international, corporate diversity, youtube series, sarah kalmeta, black wealth, anna deshawn, greenwood, 5thingsdei, representation, justice reform, dei wins, field day, bernadette smith, brazil false full 131 10cdc8da-57e4-46f0-b4e2-b6c37005e936 Crickets with Greg Morley Greg Morley (he/him), Author, Speaker, and HR Thought Leader, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about spreadsheets saving lives, vacation rentals finally getting accessible, and the only lesbian film fest in a quilting town.

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Game, Set, Equity
  2. Disability Inclusion Gets a Desert Debut
  3. Access Granted, Finally!
  4. Queer Reels, River Vibes
  5. Aid Cuts, She Delivers

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: In the spirit of Pride month, here’s a book recommendation: Tomorrow Will Be Different by U.S. Senator Sarah McBride, the first transgender senator. This was written before she was elected to any office, but it is a great trans memoir. 

Greg’s GVTGs: Read more! Greg buys and reads two books a month to challenge himself, get out of the wormhole that can be social media, and also learn things that the media would not gravitate to directly. Secondly, before bed, consider two things that you’re grateful for from the day, big or small, and one thing you’d like to do better tomorrow. 

Read the Stories.

Connect with Greg Morley on Linkedin, Instagram, and his website.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 3 Jun 2025 14:07:10 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Greg Morley, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/crickets-with-greg-morley-Ak6ewcyv Greg Morley (he/him), Author, Speaker, and HR Thought Leader, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about spreadsheets saving lives, vacation rentals finally getting accessible, and the only lesbian film fest in a quilting town.

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Game, Set, Equity
  2. Disability Inclusion Gets a Desert Debut
  3. Access Granted, Finally!
  4. Queer Reels, River Vibes
  5. Aid Cuts, She Delivers

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: In the spirit of Pride month, here’s a book recommendation: Tomorrow Will Be Different by U.S. Senator Sarah McBride, the first transgender senator. This was written before she was elected to any office, but it is a great trans memoir. 

Greg’s GVTGs: Read more! Greg buys and reads two books a month to challenge himself, get out of the wormhole that can be social media, and also learn things that the media would not gravitate to directly. Secondly, before bed, consider two things that you’re grateful for from the day, big or small, and one thing you’d like to do better tomorrow. 

Read the Stories.

Connect with Greg Morley on Linkedin, Instagram, and his website.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Crickets with Greg Morley Greg Morley, Bernadette Smith 00:24:21 Greg Morley (he/him), Author, Speaker, and HR Thought Leader, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about spreadsheets saving lives, vacation rentals finally getting accessible, and the only lesbian film fest in a quilting town. Greg Morley (he/him), Author, Speaker, and HR Thought Leader, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about spreadsheets saving lives, vacation rentals finally getting accessible, and the only lesbian film fest in a quilting town. lesbian film, maiden alley cinema, disability inclusion, becoming rentable, center for global development, cri foundation, lgbtq+ theater, usaid, black athletes, trans what you will, foreign aid, accessible travel, usta, adaptive housing, tennis equity, shakespeare, women in sports, inclusive leadership, philanthropy, vrbo, humanitarian aid, project resource optimization, cinema systers, cost effectiveness, rural lgbtq+, american tennis association, trans performers, art on ice, 5thingsdei, accessible design, global health, spreadsheet activism, matchmaking philanthropy, dei strategy, queer art, alima false full 130 1ff1ba74-7dd9-4aee-8763-b8244e9910e0 Cheers with Mathias Lemos Castillo Mathias Lemos Castillo (He/Him/El), Founder / CEO, MLC Consulting, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about keeping hands off our brain data, the ultimate retention hack, accessibility at first swipe, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Accessibility at First Swipe
  2. Queer Cover Breakthrough!
  3. Hands Off Our Brain Data
  4. Free Childcare: The Ultimate Retention Hack
  5. Freedom Unlocked

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Yesterday was Global Accessibility Awareness Day aka GAAD. It’s amazing how much we don’t know. My firm has strived to follow best practices for digital inclusion, but we’re not perfect. Here’s a great checklist from Meryl Evans.

Mattias’ GVTG: Turn challenges into opportunities. Identify ways to transform road blocks into an opportunity for growth, then not just internally, but in our community settings and our organizations and lean into the curiosity of what is possible for us.

Read the Stories.

Connect with Mathias Lemos Castillo.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Fri, 23 May 2025 18:49:52 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Mathias Lemos Castillo, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/cheers-with-mathias-lemos-castillo-rZjZGFRP Mathias Lemos Castillo (He/Him/El), Founder / CEO, MLC Consulting, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about keeping hands off our brain data, the ultimate retention hack, accessibility at first swipe, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Accessibility at First Swipe
  2. Queer Cover Breakthrough!
  3. Hands Off Our Brain Data
  4. Free Childcare: The Ultimate Retention Hack
  5. Freedom Unlocked

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Yesterday was Global Accessibility Awareness Day aka GAAD. It’s amazing how much we don’t know. My firm has strived to follow best practices for digital inclusion, but we’re not perfect. Here’s a great checklist from Meryl Evans.

Mattias’ GVTG: Turn challenges into opportunities. Identify ways to transform road blocks into an opportunity for growth, then not just internally, but in our community settings and our organizations and lean into the curiosity of what is possible for us.

Read the Stories.

Connect with Mathias Lemos Castillo.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Cheers with Mathias Lemos Castillo Mathias Lemos Castillo, Bernadette Smith 00:17:01 Mathias Lemos Castillo (He/Him/El), Founder / CEO, MLC Consulting, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about keeping hands off our brain data, the ultimate retention hack, accessibility at first swipe, and more! Mathias Lemos Castillo (He/Him/El), Founder / CEO, MLC Consulting, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about keeping hands off our brain data, the ultimate retention hack, accessibility at first swipe, and more! debt forgiveness, employee benefits, dauphin county, henning, personal voice, accessibility labels, mac magnifier, pay-to-stay, nutrition labels, vision pro, jail debt, brain-computer, plus-size fashion, sports illustrated, lauren chan, app accessibility, appletv+, cakes body, 5thingsdei, live listen, childcare stipend, free childcare false full 129 7c3338e5-584c-420f-9e60-9fc6dc2fd2f7 Influence (Solo Episode) In this solo episode, I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week I shared about boardroom shakeup, flag-ban hackery, Lyft’s silver glow-up, Adidas’s inclusive kicks, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Boardroom Monopoly Breaks
  2. Cities Outsmart Flag Bans with Pride
  3. Lyft Silver: Aging in Style
  4. Lush Goes Sensory-Friendly, All Are Welcome
  5. Kicks Tailored for Every Body

Good Vibes to Go: 

In the spirit of sharing what brings me joy, watch Atsuko Okatsuka's comedy special The Intruder on MAX before her next special debuts in a few weeks. 

Read the Stories.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 13 May 2025 13:57:26 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/influence-solo-episode-5gUFDFh9 In this solo episode, I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week I shared about boardroom shakeup, flag-ban hackery, Lyft’s silver glow-up, Adidas’s inclusive kicks, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Boardroom Monopoly Breaks
  2. Cities Outsmart Flag Bans with Pride
  3. Lyft Silver: Aging in Style
  4. Lush Goes Sensory-Friendly, All Are Welcome
  5. Kicks Tailored for Every Body

Good Vibes to Go: 

In the spirit of sharing what brings me joy, watch Atsuko Okatsuka's comedy special The Intruder on MAX before her next special debuts in a few weeks. 

Read the Stories.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Influence (Solo Episode) Bernadette Smith 00:16:36 In this solo episode, I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week I shared about boardroom shakeup, flag-ban hackery, Lyft’s silver glow-up, Adidas’s inclusive kicks, and more! In this solo episode, I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week I shared about boardroom shakeup, flag-ban hackery, Lyft’s silver glow-up, Adidas’s inclusive kicks, and more! kulturecity, altamed, urban league, dei, accessible vehicles, trusted contacts, live support, senior mobility, lush cosmetics, self help, ride-sharing, sensory inclusion, older riders, down syndrome, pride flags, lyft, flag hack, app design, adidas, iss-corporate, board diversity false full 128 b7f126f3-2eca-4a2a-b9d0-d2ef8ba1bfe1 Shared Laughter with Valerie Hope Valerie Hope (she/her), CEO, Connect to Joy, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Accessible Scandinavian Style, Longer Refills, Cooling Off Hot Flashes, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Accessible Scandinavian Style
  2. Longer Refills, Shorter Barriers
  3. Cooling Off Hot Flashes
  4. Marriott Stays Firm Against DEI Drought
  5. Trailblazer Swings New League

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Go see the film Sinners in theatres. Yes, it’s a vampire film and it earns its rating, but it’s also full of subtext and lots of symbolism, which you should read up on after the fact.

Valerie’s GVTG: Feeling overwhelmed? Learn how to give yourself a mental reset by watching this video of Valerie’s on Instagram.

Read the Stories.

Connect with Valerie Hope.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 6 May 2025 19:26:42 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Valerie Hope, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/shared-laughter-with-valerie-hope-3rk3rd9K Valerie Hope (she/her), CEO, Connect to Joy, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Accessible Scandinavian Style, Longer Refills, Cooling Off Hot Flashes, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Accessible Scandinavian Style
  2. Longer Refills, Shorter Barriers
  3. Cooling Off Hot Flashes
  4. Marriott Stays Firm Against DEI Drought
  5. Trailblazer Swings New League

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Go see the film Sinners in theatres. Yes, it’s a vampire film and it earns its rating, but it’s also full of subtext and lots of symbolism, which you should read up on after the fact.

Valerie’s GVTG: Feeling overwhelmed? Learn how to give yourself a mental reset by watching this video of Valerie’s on Instagram.

Read the Stories.

Connect with Valerie Hope.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Shared Laughter with Valerie Hope Valerie Hope, Bernadette Smith 00:25:03 Valerie Hope (she/her), CEO, Connect to Joy, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Accessible Scandinavian Style, Longer Refills, Cooling Off Hot Flashes, and more! Valerie Hope (she/her), CEO, Connect to Joy, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Accessible Scandinavian Style, Longer Refills, Cooling Off Hot Flashes, and more! bäsingen, menopause‑friendly, 12‑month supply, softball league, dei, inclusive design, workplace menopause, hormone therapy, accessible homes, inclusive governance, ikea, midovia, marriott, trans health, women’s sports, equity model, health equity, athletes unlimited, 5thingsdei, cvs health false full 127 ac908678-2409-47eb-b0b3-7befbca46b24 Transparency with Sumayyah Emeh-Edu Sumayyah Emeh-Edu (she/her) from Embedded Consulting and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about equality in aisle five, Harvard holding its ground, billion-dollar frontline brilliance—and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Love Locked In, Court Be Damned
  2. ​Harvard to Trump: Not Your Campus
  3. Color Blindness? Read Between the Lines
  4. Fifteen Percent and Going Strong
  5. Frontline Ideas, Billion-Dollar Impact

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: I’ve recently re-watched Wanda Sykes’ last two Netflix standup specials. She will make you laugh and make you think….my favorite kind of comic. Watch and enjoy!

Sumayyah's GVTG: Take care of yourself this Mental Health Awareness Month! Find joy, find connection, put the phone down. Look for the love.

Read the Stories.

Connect with Sumayyah Emeh-Edu.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 29 Apr 2025 14:52:59 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Sumayyah Emeh-Edu, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/transparency-with-sumayyah-emeh-edu-jsT_d_0e Sumayyah Emeh-Edu (she/her) from Embedded Consulting and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about equality in aisle five, Harvard holding its ground, billion-dollar frontline brilliance—and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Love Locked In, Court Be Damned
  2. ​Harvard to Trump: Not Your Campus
  3. Color Blindness? Read Between the Lines
  4. Fifteen Percent and Going Strong
  5. Frontline Ideas, Billion-Dollar Impact

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: I’ve recently re-watched Wanda Sykes’ last two Netflix standup specials. She will make you laugh and make you think….my favorite kind of comic. Watch and enjoy!

Sumayyah's GVTG: Take care of yourself this Mental Health Awareness Month! Find joy, find connection, put the phone down. Look for the love.

Read the Stories.

Connect with Sumayyah Emeh-Edu.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Transparency with Sumayyah Emeh-Edu Sumayyah Emeh-Edu, Bernadette Smith 00:24:18 Sumayyah Emeh-Edu (she/her) from Embedded Consulting and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about equality in aisle five, Harvard holding its ground, billion-dollar frontline brilliance—and more! Sumayyah Emeh-Edu (she/her) from Embedded Consulting and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about equality in aisle five, Harvard holding its ground, billion-dollar frontline brilliance—and more! workjam, color blindness, yelp, inclusive hiring, nordstrom, payscale, dei, retail inclusion, harvard, leadership, academic freedom, ulta, education equity, fast company, target, workplace equity, business ethics, employee engagement, feedback culture, corporate accountability, consumer values, universal design, navneet education, abm industries, pay transparency, frontline workers, small business, the management center, sephora, innovation culture, 5thingsdei, gender pay gap, the fifteen percent pledge, black-owned false full 126 ed4d7107-9218-4d3f-8203-b5ae3b2d5db6 FAQ with Michael Bach Michael Bach (he/him), Author, Speaker, IDEA Thought Leader, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about good vibes globally, signing on to equity, game-changing inclusion, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Global Inclusion? Still Très Chic.
  2. Streaming Gets Sign-Savvy, Finally
  3. Tag, You’re Included
  4. From Shelter to Sisterhood
  5. Parental Leave That Walks the Talk

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: If you’re into the apocalypse (or even if you’re not), check out the ASL version of The Last of Us on HBO Max. It looks to be a very cool example of access done right. 

Michael’s GVTG: Do something for your own mental health, whether that’s just getting out into the sun, doing some yoga, watching a TV show, or just sitting and having a nice drink with friends. Whatever you need to do, make sure you're taking care of your mental health. 

Read the Stories.

Connect with Michael Bach.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 15 Apr 2025 15:17:49 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Michael Bach, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/faq-with-michael-bach-44stkhyx Michael Bach (he/him), Author, Speaker, IDEA Thought Leader, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about good vibes globally, signing on to equity, game-changing inclusion, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Global Inclusion? Still Très Chic.
  2. Streaming Gets Sign-Savvy, Finally
  3. Tag, You’re Included
  4. From Shelter to Sisterhood
  5. Parental Leave That Walks the Talk

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: If you’re into the apocalypse (or even if you’re not), check out the ASL version of The Last of Us on HBO Max. It looks to be a very cool example of access done right. 

Michael’s GVTG: Do something for your own mental health, whether that’s just getting out into the sun, doing some yoga, watching a TV show, or just sitting and having a nice drink with friends. Whatever you need to do, make sure you're taking care of your mental health. 

Read the Stories.

Connect with Michael Bach.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> FAQ with Michael Bach Michael Bach, Bernadette Smith 00:21:13 Michael Bach (he/him), Author, Speaker, IDEA Thought Leader, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about good vibes globally, signing on to equity, game-changing inclusion, and more! Michael Bach (he/him), Author, Speaker, IDEA Thought Leader, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about good vibes globally, signing on to equity, game-changing inclusion, and more! microsoft, safe housing network, equity at work, naesm, sony interactive entertainment, amazon games, diversity policies, dei, asl access, hbo max, systemic bias, riot games, disability justice, square enix, trans rights, ts madison, the last of us, corporate responsibility, warner bros. games, workplace inclusion, inclusive leadership, a new way of life, parental leave, lgbtq+, hpe, accessibility, hewlett packard enterprise, marginalized voices, ubisoft, family leave, streaming inclusion, 5thingsdei, nintendo, hr strategy, reentry housing, game accessibility false full 125 670e7a86-b6e8-4183-b3e0-73affd24153b Visibility with Millette Granville Millette Granville (she/her), Founder of SpeakMG Consulting, joins me to recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, we’re talking about land back in action, breaking barriers at the top, sisterhood over scrambled eggs, Delta’s secret DEI ingredient, and what it really means to be “driving while understood."

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Giving the Land Back
  2. Shattering Stereotypes, Steering a Nation
  3. Scrambled Eggs & Sisterhood
  4. Delta’s Secret Sauce
  5. Driving While Understood

Good Vibes to Go: 

The Trans Rights Readathon happened recently: “We are calling on the reader community to read and uplift books written by and/or featuring trans, nonbinary, 2Spirit, and gender-nonconforming authors and characters.” Sign up to check out the resources here. 

Millette’s GVTG: All of us have the power to impact change. Find YOUR place, within your power, to help make a change. “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” -Mahatma Gandhi 

Connect with Millette Granville.

Read the Stories.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 8 Apr 2025 13:39:18 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Millette Granville, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/visibility-with-millette-granville-wGDD2349 Millette Granville (she/her), Founder of SpeakMG Consulting, joins me to recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, we’re talking about land back in action, breaking barriers at the top, sisterhood over scrambled eggs, Delta’s secret DEI ingredient, and what it really means to be “driving while understood."

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Giving the Land Back
  2. Shattering Stereotypes, Steering a Nation
  3. Scrambled Eggs & Sisterhood
  4. Delta’s Secret Sauce
  5. Driving While Understood

Good Vibes to Go: 

The Trans Rights Readathon happened recently: “We are calling on the reader community to read and uplift books written by and/or featuring trans, nonbinary, 2Spirit, and gender-nonconforming authors and characters.” Sign up to check out the resources here. 

Millette’s GVTG: All of us have the power to impact change. Find YOUR place, within your power, to help make a change. “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” -Mahatma Gandhi 

Connect with Millette Granville.

Read the Stories.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Visibility with Millette Granville Millette Granville, Bernadette Smith 00:21:22 Millette Granville (she/her), Founder of SpeakMG Consulting, joins me to recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, we’re talking about land back in action, breaking barriers at the top, sisterhood over scrambled eggs, Delta’s secret DEI ingredient, and what it really means to be “driving while understood." Millette Granville (she/her), Founder of SpeakMG Consulting, joins me to recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, we’re talking about land back in action, breaking barriers at the top, sisterhood over scrambled eggs, Delta’s secret DEI ingredient, and what it really means to be “driving while understood." disability inclusion, police training, uconn, ramadan, land back, indigenous rights, dei, delta air lines, inclusive workplaces, leadership, systemic bias, intersectionality, workplace equity, allyship, corporate culture, accessibility, airline industry, women leaders, neurodiversity, autism awareness, autism new jersey, 5thingsdei, law enforcement reform, employee experience false full 124 9cc959e5-73c4-4319-aa8b-ae81373dd106 Rebroadcast: Service with Erica Vogel In honor of Trans Day of Visibility, we’re re-broadcasting this episode with Erica from October 8, 2024. Erica Vogel, Author: Advice from Your Trans Aunty, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about women leading in the NFL, voting rights never going out of style, and, of course, legacy privilege getting the boot. 

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Levi's: Voting Rights Never Go Out of Style
  2. Women Leading NFL—And Winning!
  3. Bye-Bye, Legacy Privilege!
  4. BoA Boosts Teller Pay
  5. Outing Isn’t an Option Anymore

Good Vibes to Go: 

There are a number of Jewish holidays coming up – and Rosh Hoshana just wrapped. Learn the dates and some tips for your team in this LinkedIn post by Nate Shalev. 

Erica’s tip: Be kind to trans folks; escort them to public bathrooms; talk to them using their correct names and pronouns. Before you ask an invasive question, particularly about bodies, ask yourself if you would be uncomfortable with someone asking you that same question. And if so, don’t ask!

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-service

Connect with Erica Vogel.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 1 Apr 2025 14:33:34 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Erica Vogel, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/rebroadcast-service-with-erica-vogel-NWKSm12u In honor of Trans Day of Visibility, we’re re-broadcasting this episode with Erica from October 8, 2024. Erica Vogel, Author: Advice from Your Trans Aunty, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about women leading in the NFL, voting rights never going out of style, and, of course, legacy privilege getting the boot. 

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Levi's: Voting Rights Never Go Out of Style
  2. Women Leading NFL—And Winning!
  3. Bye-Bye, Legacy Privilege!
  4. BoA Boosts Teller Pay
  5. Outing Isn’t an Option Anymore

Good Vibes to Go: 

There are a number of Jewish holidays coming up – and Rosh Hoshana just wrapped. Learn the dates and some tips for your team in this LinkedIn post by Nate Shalev. 

Erica’s tip: Be kind to trans folks; escort them to public bathrooms; talk to them using their correct names and pronouns. Before you ask an invasive question, particularly about bodies, ask yourself if you would be uncomfortable with someone asking you that same question. And if so, don’t ask!

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-service

Connect with Erica Vogel.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Rebroadcast: Service with Erica Vogel Erica Vogel, Bernadette Smith 00:20:56 In honor of Trans Day of Visibility, we’re re-broadcasting this episode with Erica from October 8, 2024. Erica Vogel, Author: Advice from Your Trans Aunty, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about women leading in the NFL, voting rights never going out of style, and, of course, legacy privilege getting the boot. In honor of Trans Day of Visibility, we’re re-broadcasting this episode with Erica from October 8, 2024. Erica Vogel, Author: Advice from Your Trans Aunty, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about women leading in the NFL, voting rights never going out of style, and, of course, legacy privilege getting the boot. boa, new hampshire, dei, california, voting, pay equity, 5thingsdei, levis, lgbtq, nfl false full 123 fa57410e-c963-4511-b367-9e9857b1344b Experimentation with Jenny Chen Jenny Chen (she/her), CEO & Founder, Catalais Consulting, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, we’re talking about Harvard opening its wallet, a trans trailblazer owning the soccer pitch, women literally building the future, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Harvard Slashes Tuition For Lower Income Families
  2. Trans Referee Debuts in Soccer
  3. Women Build More Than Just Skylines
  4. A Scientific Game-Changer in Women’s Soccer
  5. Silenced by Politics, Heard by the People

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Don’t miss the full concert of the Equity Arc Wind Symphony on 60 Minutes—it’s a powerful, uplifting celebration of inclusion that I know you’ll love.

Jenny’s GVTG: You don't need to be an expert or DEI practitioner to create change. You just need to be a kind human who has a lens to see the world with clarity and accountability. When you notice gaps the next question is, you know, what's going on? Who is missing from our table? What am I willing to do to change it? 
Because systems don't shift on their own, right? They shift when we decide to stop playing small, start leading with the intention. Anyone can be a warrior.

Read the Stories. 

Connect with Jenny Chen.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 25 Mar 2025 15:54:25 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Jenny Chen, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/experimentation-with-jenny-chen-L3cs28_k Jenny Chen (she/her), CEO & Founder, Catalais Consulting, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, we’re talking about Harvard opening its wallet, a trans trailblazer owning the soccer pitch, women literally building the future, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Harvard Slashes Tuition For Lower Income Families
  2. Trans Referee Debuts in Soccer
  3. Women Build More Than Just Skylines
  4. A Scientific Game-Changer in Women’s Soccer
  5. Silenced by Politics, Heard by the People

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Don’t miss the full concert of the Equity Arc Wind Symphony on 60 Minutes—it’s a powerful, uplifting celebration of inclusion that I know you’ll love.

Jenny’s GVTG: You don't need to be an expert or DEI practitioner to create change. You just need to be a kind human who has a lens to see the world with clarity and accountability. When you notice gaps the next question is, you know, what's going on? Who is missing from our table? What am I willing to do to change it? 
Because systems don't shift on their own, right? They shift when we decide to stop playing small, start leading with the intention. Anyone can be a warrior.

Read the Stories. 

Connect with Jenny Chen.

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Experimentation with Jenny Chen Jenny Chen, Bernadette Smith 00:21:55 Jenny Chen (she/her), CEO & Founder, Catalais Consulting, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, we’re talking about Harvard opening its wallet, a trans trailblazer owning the soccer pitch, women literally building the future, and more! Jenny Chen (she/her), CEO & Founder, Catalais Consulting, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, we’re talking about Harvard opening its wallet, a trans trailblazer owning the soccer pitch, women literally building the future, and more! music education, athlete performance, inclusion in sports, higher education access, ef marburger fine flooring, college affordability, sports science, u.s. marine band, tf trucking & transport, soccer referee, workplace equity, harvard university, women in construction, military veterans, equity arc, leadership in construction, tuition reform, gender equity, diversity in arts, dei in sports, menstrual cycle research, women’s health, trans athletes false full 122 b1de0662-689f-47ad-a7bf-07f8f9960b70 Lead with Humanity with Toby Mildon Toby Mildon (he/him), Workplace Inclusion Architect and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, we talked about a history-making MSNBC lineup, a Sri Lankan resort run entirely by women, a Muslim athlete changing the game, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Hijab, Hoops, and Hustle
  2. MSNBC’s Weekend Gets a Historic Makeover
  3. Sri Lanka’s All-Women Resort Redefines Hospitality
  4. China Cracks Down on Hiring Discrimination
  5. Pittsburgh Airport’s On-Site Child Care Takes Off

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: In the spirit of intersectionality, learn about LGBTQ+  who shaped history through this compelling video series from Anna DeShawn (E3 Radio) and Amanda W. Timpson (Yesterqueers). They bring history to life with powerful stories of queer resilience, activism, and artistry.

Toby’s GVTG: The British Sign Language vocabulary hasn’t been broad to encompass terms related to STEM and the environment, previously leaving deaf people struggling to enter scientific conversations, either as students or educators. With the help of sign language experts, the Scottish Sensory Centre has been creating and codifying numerous new signs, focused on STEM subjects. 

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 18 Mar 2025 15:51:23 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Toby Mildon, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/lead-with-humanity-with-toby-mildon-Z1bJJxvQ Toby Mildon (he/him), Workplace Inclusion Architect and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, we talked about a history-making MSNBC lineup, a Sri Lankan resort run entirely by women, a Muslim athlete changing the game, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Hijab, Hoops, and Hustle
  2. MSNBC’s Weekend Gets a Historic Makeover
  3. Sri Lanka’s All-Women Resort Redefines Hospitality
  4. China Cracks Down on Hiring Discrimination
  5. Pittsburgh Airport’s On-Site Child Care Takes Off

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: In the spirit of intersectionality, learn about LGBTQ+  who shaped history through this compelling video series from Anna DeShawn (E3 Radio) and Amanda W. Timpson (Yesterqueers). They bring history to life with powerful stories of queer resilience, activism, and artistry.

Toby’s GVTG: The British Sign Language vocabulary hasn’t been broad to encompass terms related to STEM and the environment, previously leaving deaf people struggling to enter scientific conversations, either as students or educators. With the help of sign language experts, the Scottish Sensory Centre has been creating and codifying numerous new signs, focused on STEM subjects. 

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Lead with Humanity with Toby Mildon Toby Mildon, Bernadette Smith 00:21:54 Toby Mildon (he/him), Workplace Inclusion Architect and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, we talked about a history-making MSNBC lineup, a Sri Lankan resort run entirely by women, a Muslim athlete changing the game, and more! Toby Mildon (he/him), Workplace Inclusion Architect and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, we talked about a history-making MSNBC lineup, a Sri Lankan resort run entirely by women, a Muslim athlete changing the game, and more! hijab, msnbc, dei, amba yaalu resort, and hustle, discrimination, hoops, pittsburgh international airport, 5thingsdei.com, sri lanka, 5thingsdei, china false full 121 9aa2ba2d-bd32-4232-890f-b761e4715ef8 Let's Go with James Felton Keith James Felton Keith, CEO at InclusionScore and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, we’re talking about groundbreaking firsts at the Oscars,  the rise of women-led boardrooms, Peppa Pig, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Oscar Gold for Emerald City Threads
  2. Banking on Women, Leading with Impact
  3. Peppa Pig Gets Accessibility Right
  4. All Paths to Parenthood Deserve Support
  5. Crowning a New Era of Inclusion

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: This Women’s History Month, a shout out to Karen Catlin who will send you actionable tips to be a better ally at work—straight to your inbox. Subscribe now at BetterAllies.com

James’s GVTG: Find the joyful moments every day, not just "work through it" but "joy through it", like the late John Lewis did. 

Read the Stories.

Connect with James Felton Keith

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 11 Mar 2025 14:44:46 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (James Felton Keith, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/lets-go-with-james-felton-keith-owNtiX9n James Felton Keith, CEO at InclusionScore and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, we’re talking about groundbreaking firsts at the Oscars,  the rise of women-led boardrooms, Peppa Pig, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Oscar Gold for Emerald City Threads
  2. Banking on Women, Leading with Impact
  3. Peppa Pig Gets Accessibility Right
  4. All Paths to Parenthood Deserve Support
  5. Crowning a New Era of Inclusion

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: This Women’s History Month, a shout out to Karen Catlin who will send you actionable tips to be a better ally at work—straight to your inbox. Subscribe now at BetterAllies.com

James’s GVTG: Find the joyful moments every day, not just "work through it" but "joy through it", like the late John Lewis did. 

Read the Stories.

Connect with James Felton Keith

Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Let's Go with James Felton Keith James Felton Keith, Bernadette Smith 00:24:21 James Felton Keith, CEO at InclusionScore and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, we’re talking about groundbreaking firsts at the Oscars, the rise of women-led boardrooms, Peppa Pig, and more! James Felton Keith, CEO at InclusionScore and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, we’re talking about groundbreaking firsts at the Oscars, the rise of women-led boardrooms, Peppa Pig, and more! empowerment, disability inclusion, bank of america, social justice, business strategy, equity, dei trends, leadership, hr insights, workplace policies, social impact, miss universe organization, piermont bank, intersectionality, miss georgia usa, cultural shifts, peppa pig theme park, inclusive innovation, diversity, citigroup, women in leadership, inclusive leadership, professional development, advocacy, career growth, accessibility, industry impact, inclusion, tcw, corporate diversity, gender equity, merlin entertainments, amalgamated bank, systemic change, 5thingsdei, lgbtq+ inclusion, representation, workplace culture, equity in business false full 120 7d2f41c3-1cd5-446d-9fe0-563aa2105c26 Strategic Play with Katie Oertli Mooney Katie Oertli Mooney, Managing Director, Seramount, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about corporate shareholders shutting down anti-DEI measures, Magic nerds proving they have the biggest hearts, long-overdue justice, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Philanthropy Steps Up as Safety Nets Shrink
  2. Shareholders Oppose Anti-DEI at Deere
  3. Magic: The Gathering Fans Conjure $564K for Trans Lifeline
  4. Black Modernist Architects Finally Get Their Due
  5. Texas Ends Decades of Denying Dyslexic Students Full Rights

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: It’s Women’s History Month and I’ll start by uplifting a woman who lifts up so many others – my partner Heather Vickery. She’s a delight and you can check out some of her coaching wisdom over on YouTube. 

Katie’s GVTG: Read The Great Stewardess Rebellion. Katie read it on a recent Alaska Airlines plane ride with a woman pilot. 

Read the Stories.

Connect with Katie Mooney.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 4 Mar 2025 15:14:06 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Katie Oertli Mooney, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/strategic-play-with-katie-oertli-mooney-HHH089vw Katie Oertli Mooney, Managing Director, Seramount, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about corporate shareholders shutting down anti-DEI measures, Magic nerds proving they have the biggest hearts, long-overdue justice, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Philanthropy Steps Up as Safety Nets Shrink
  2. Shareholders Oppose Anti-DEI at Deere
  3. Magic: The Gathering Fans Conjure $564K for Trans Lifeline
  4. Black Modernist Architects Finally Get Their Due
  5. Texas Ends Decades of Denying Dyslexic Students Full Rights

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: It’s Women’s History Month and I’ll start by uplifting a woman who lifts up so many others – my partner Heather Vickery. She’s a delight and you can check out some of her coaching wisdom over on YouTube. 

Katie’s GVTG: Read The Great Stewardess Rebellion. Katie read it on a recent Alaska Airlines plane ride with a woman pilot. 

Read the Stories.

Connect with Katie Mooney.

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Strategic Play with Katie Oertli Mooney Katie Oertli Mooney, Bernadette Smith 00:26:08 Katie Oertli Mooney, Managing Director, Seramount, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about corporate shareholders shutting down anti-DEI measures, Magic nerds proving they have the biggest hearts, long-overdue justice, and more! Katie Oertli Mooney, Managing Director, Seramount, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about corporate shareholders shutting down anti-DEI measures, Magic nerds proving they have the biggest hearts, long-overdue justice, and more! social justice, equity, activism, dei, corporate governance, trans lifeline, gaming community, dyslexia advocacy, fundraising, education reform, nonprofit funding, disability rights, philanthropy, corporate accountability, shareholder activism, lgbtq+ support, accessibility, historical preservation, inclusion, marginalized voices, community impact, 5thingsdei, representation, black architects, special education, magic: the gathering, policy change false full 119 b6065b96-cbef-47ae-89ad-721eb66cdbc8 Sticky (Solo Episode) In this solo episode, I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week I speak about roller derby fighting for inclusion, turning city noise into comfort, breaking the funding bottleneck for diverse founders, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Roller Derby Skates Forward
  2. Turning City Noise into Comfort
  3. Mining Inclusion
  4. Breaking the Funding Bottleneck
  5. ‘The Daily Show’ Roasts Anti-DEI Rollbacks

Good Vibes to Go: 

I’m definitely on a standup comedy kick and I particularly enjoy performers who are different from me and can bring me new perspectives. Check out “Lonely Flowers” by Roy Wood Jr. on Hulu or Disney+.

Ramadan starts on Friday. Here are some tips to be culturally aware.

Read the Stories

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 25 Feb 2025 14:41:28 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/sticky-solo-episode-1sEkMigD In this solo episode, I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week I speak about roller derby fighting for inclusion, turning city noise into comfort, breaking the funding bottleneck for diverse founders, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Roller Derby Skates Forward
  2. Turning City Noise into Comfort
  3. Mining Inclusion
  4. Breaking the Funding Bottleneck
  5. ‘The Daily Show’ Roasts Anti-DEI Rollbacks

Good Vibes to Go: 

I’m definitely on a standup comedy kick and I particularly enjoy performers who are different from me and can bring me new perspectives. Check out “Lonely Flowers” by Roy Wood Jr. on Hulu or Disney+.

Ramadan starts on Friday. Here are some tips to be culturally aware.

Read the Stories

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Sticky (Solo Episode) Bernadette Smith 00:17:53 In this solo episode, I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week I speak about roller derby fighting for inclusion, turning city noise into comfort, breaking the funding bottleneck for diverse founders, and more! In this solo episode, I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week I speak about roller derby fighting for inclusion, turning city noise into comfort, breaking the funding bottleneck for diverse founders, and more! startup funding, dei, representation matters, systemic bias, public spaces, social impact, marginalized founders, corporate dei, economic equity, venture capital, workplace inclusion, inclusive leadership, roller derby, funding gap, diversity equity inclusion, neurodiversity, anti-dei backlash, workplace culture, accessible design, gender inclusion false full 118 5cd829d0-b61c-485c-87b3-eb178cc0ff79 A Shortcut with Salvatore Manzi Salvatore Manzi (he/him), Speaker, Facilitator, Coach at Leadership Communications and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about history-making wins, Hollywood power moves, and why hiring ghosting needs to go!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Breaking Barriers, Winning Rings
  2. Game-Changer On and Off the Field
  3. Hollywood’s Leading Ladies Achieve Parity
  4. Ghosting Is Out, Accountability Is In
  5. DEI on the Pickleball Court


Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Want some Girl Scout Cookies? Consider buying them from trans girls thanks to this list curated by Erin Reed. 
Salvatore’s GVTG: Use the “Golden Bridge” concept: give people a graceful way to walk back something they said that may have been an unintentional mistake. 

Read the stories.
Connect with Salvatore.
Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Wed, 19 Feb 2025 01:52:35 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Salvatore Manzi, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/a-shortcut-with-salvatore-manzi-MJw2psv1 Salvatore Manzi (he/him), Speaker, Facilitator, Coach at Leadership Communications and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about history-making wins, Hollywood power moves, and why hiring ghosting needs to go!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Breaking Barriers, Winning Rings
  2. Game-Changer On and Off the Field
  3. Hollywood’s Leading Ladies Achieve Parity
  4. Ghosting Is Out, Accountability Is In
  5. DEI on the Pickleball Court


Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Want some Girl Scout Cookies? Consider buying them from trans girls thanks to this list curated by Erin Reed. 
Salvatore’s GVTG: Use the “Golden Bridge” concept: give people a graceful way to walk back something they said that may have been an unintentional mistake. 

Read the stories.
Connect with Salvatore.
Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> A Shortcut with Salvatore Manzi Salvatore Manzi, Bernadette Smith 00:22:59 Salvatore Manzi (he/him), Speaker, Facilitator, Coach at Leadership Communications and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about history-making wins, Hollywood power moves, and why hiring ghosting needs to go! Salvatore Manzi (he/him), Speaker, Facilitator, Coach at Leadership Communications and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about history-making wins, Hollywood power moves, and why hiring ghosting needs to go! women in sports management, super bowl history, jalen hurts, chipotle student loan repayment, philadelphia eagles, pickleball dei, autumn lockwood super bowl, linkedin responsiveness insights, nfl diversity, job application ghosting, chipotle financial wellness, chipotle pay-on-demand, greenhouse, hollywood gender parity, usc annenberg inclusion initiative, women-led films 2024, indeed employer transparency, 5thingsdei false full 117 da5488a0-b4fe-4b37-90b6-18196a992935 Stories and Data with Charlene Wheeless Charlene Wheeless, author of You Are Enough! and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Beyoncé breaking ceilings, Goodell holding the line, disability advocates making moves, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Equality Wins for Families and Workers
  2. Beyoncé Breaks Country Music Ceiling
  3. Goodell Holds the Line on Diversity
  4. Disability Advocates Drive Uber Change
  5. First-of-Its-Kind Hospital Redefines Disability Care

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: It’s Black History Month! Buy Black by shopping for a beautiful variety of products from tons of merchants. Buy Black’s mission is “To drive traffic and revenue to Black-owned businesses in order to close the revenue disparity gap between Black-owned businesses and their non-Black counterparts.

Charlene’s GVTG: Buy Black all year round – and choose love.

Read the Stories

Connect with Charlene Wheeless

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 11 Feb 2025 16:48:22 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith, Charlene Wheeless) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/stories-and-data-with-charlene-wheeless-Wq2NaHyW Charlene Wheeless, author of You Are Enough! and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Beyoncé breaking ceilings, Goodell holding the line, disability advocates making moves, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Equality Wins for Families and Workers
  2. Beyoncé Breaks Country Music Ceiling
  3. Goodell Holds the Line on Diversity
  4. Disability Advocates Drive Uber Change
  5. First-of-Its-Kind Hospital Redefines Disability Care

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: It’s Black History Month! Buy Black by shopping for a beautiful variety of products from tons of merchants. Buy Black’s mission is “To drive traffic and revenue to Black-owned businesses in order to close the revenue disparity gap between Black-owned businesses and their non-Black counterparts.

Charlene’s GVTG: Buy Black all year round – and choose love.

Read the Stories

Connect with Charlene Wheeless

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Stories and Data with Charlene Wheeless Bernadette Smith, Charlene Wheeless 00:25:11 Charlene Wheeless, author of You Are Enough! and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Beyoncé breaking ceilings, Goodell holding the line, disability advocates making moves, and more! Charlene Wheeless, author of You Are Enough! and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Beyoncé breaking ceilings, Goodell holding the line, disability advocates making moves, and more! diversity and inclusion, uber, spain, inclusive leadership, black history month, equal opportunity, 5thingsdei, disability advocacy, representation in media, beyonce, lgbtq false full 116 55bea8fa-63d1-4b15-8101-53ff1227e4a2 Self-Compassion (Solo Episode) This time, I’m doing a solo episode to share my thoughts and recap the latest 5 Things. This week my conversation with myself is about inclusive books winning big, Pride over profits, Michigan stepping up against hate, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Inclusive Stories Win
  2. Hate Stops Here, Michigan Steps Up
  3. Thailand Puts Money Behind Gender Care
  4. Pride > Profits: Community Steps Up
  5. DEI Showdown: Companies Hold the Line

Good Vibes to Go: 

It’s Lunar New Year, a 15-day festival in many parts of the world. Here is a good primer on Lunar New Year. What do you say to someone who celebrates? Happy New Year!

Read the Stories

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 4 Feb 2025 20:27:03 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/self-compassion-solo-episode-zVvYt092 This time, I’m doing a solo episode to share my thoughts and recap the latest 5 Things. This week my conversation with myself is about inclusive books winning big, Pride over profits, Michigan stepping up against hate, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Inclusive Stories Win
  2. Hate Stops Here, Michigan Steps Up
  3. Thailand Puts Money Behind Gender Care
  4. Pride > Profits: Community Steps Up
  5. DEI Showdown: Companies Hold the Line

Good Vibes to Go: 

It’s Lunar New Year, a 15-day festival in many parts of the world. Here is a good primer on Lunar New Year. What do you say to someone who celebrates? Happy New Year!

Read the Stories

Watch the show on YouTube.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Self-Compassion (Solo Episode) Bernadette Smith 00:19:54 This time, I’m doing a solo episode to share my thoughts and recap the latest 5 Things. This week my conversation with myself is about inclusive books winning big, Pride over profits, Michigan stepping up against hate, and more! This time, I’m doing a solo episode to share my thoughts and recap the latest 5 Things. This week my conversation with myself is about inclusive books winning big, Pride over profits, Michigan stepping up against hate, and more! diversity and inclusion, equality for all, dei, representation matters, corporate responsibility, inclusive leadership, 5 things dei, diversity in business, inclusion matters false full 115 b4401fa3-cd75-4d35-bcfd-532981e8f491 Pain Points with Carlos Butler-Vale Carlos Butler-Vale (he/him), Co-Host, Corporate Cafecito Business Podcast, and Founder, Avizo Consulting, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about history at the Oscars, marriage equality in Thailand, Bloomberg’s big investment, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Bloomberg Stands for Climate Action
  2. Hyatt and Carnival Lead Accessibility Wave
  3. A Trailblazer’s Moment
  4. Thailand Says 'I Do' to Equality
  5. Brave Rep. Emily Randall

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Read this article by Lily Zheng in Harvard Business Review in which they present a new framework: What Comes After DEI. 

Carlos’ GVTG: Look for a symphony performance of “Encanto”, the Disney movie, and support the Central Illinois Friends Center, or your local LGBTQ Center. Find yours at CenterLink.

Read the Stories.

Connect with Carlos Butler-Vale

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 28 Jan 2025 17:44:03 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Carlos Butler-Vale, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/pain-points-with-carlos-butler-vale-Tk_oxZFJ Carlos Butler-Vale (he/him), Co-Host, Corporate Cafecito Business Podcast, and Founder, Avizo Consulting, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about history at the Oscars, marriage equality in Thailand, Bloomberg’s big investment, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Bloomberg Stands for Climate Action
  2. Hyatt and Carnival Lead Accessibility Wave
  3. A Trailblazer’s Moment
  4. Thailand Says 'I Do' to Equality
  5. Brave Rep. Emily Randall

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Read this article by Lily Zheng in Harvard Business Review in which they present a new framework: What Comes After DEI. 

Carlos’ GVTG: Look for a symphony performance of “Encanto”, the Disney movie, and support the Central Illinois Friends Center, or your local LGBTQ Center. Find yours at CenterLink.

Read the Stories.

Connect with Carlos Butler-Vale

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Pain Points with Carlos Butler-Vale Carlos Butler-Vale, Bernadette Smith 00:21:33 Carlos Butler-Vale (he/him), Co-Host, Corporate Cafecito Business Podcast, and Founder, Avizo Consulting, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about history at the Oscars, marriage equality in Thailand, Bloomberg’s big investment, and more! Carlos Butler-Vale (he/him), Co-Host, Corporate Cafecito Business Podcast, and Founder, Avizo Consulting, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about history at the Oscars, marriage equality in Thailand, Bloomberg’s big investment, and more! dei, oscars, marriage equality, jp morgan chase, academy awards, thailand, goldman sachs, cisco, karla sofía gascón, 5thingsdei, transgender, lgbtq false full 114 59c52c2d-6c26-437e-90af-97c04f0bdd99 Empowered with Davey Shlasko Davey Shlasko, Founder and Director, Think Again Training & Consulting and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about lessons in love for autistic people, inclusive design at Virgin Media, pickleball in prison, standing firm on DEI—and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Love Lessons, Autism Edition!
  2. Inclusion, Designed to the Nines!
  3. Celebrities and Companies Pledge Wildlife Support
  4. Pickleball: Serving Redemption in Prison
  5. Apple & Costco Stand Firm on DEI!

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Watch ALOK’s new special (comedy and poetry) on YouTube. It’ll make you laugh and make you think!

Davey’s GVTG: Be mindful of jumping to an assumption about what level of solutions are required for any big challenge. Thinking about what I can do as an individual or what we can do as a small organization might be exactly what’s needed instead of waiting on big policy changes. 

Check out the Cross Class Dialogue Circle, which is a nonprofit community-based project that brings people together across differences of socioeconomic background and financial experiences to build relationships across those differences.

Read this week’s stories.

Connect with Davey Shlasko

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 21 Jan 2025 17:56:49 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Davey Shlasko, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/empowered-with-davey-shlasko-bcHX6EId Davey Shlasko, Founder and Director, Think Again Training & Consulting and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about lessons in love for autistic people, inclusive design at Virgin Media, pickleball in prison, standing firm on DEI—and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Love Lessons, Autism Edition!
  2. Inclusion, Designed to the Nines!
  3. Celebrities and Companies Pledge Wildlife Support
  4. Pickleball: Serving Redemption in Prison
  5. Apple & Costco Stand Firm on DEI!

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Watch ALOK’s new special (comedy and poetry) on YouTube. It’ll make you laugh and make you think!

Davey’s GVTG: Be mindful of jumping to an assumption about what level of solutions are required for any big challenge. Thinking about what I can do as an individual or what we can do as a small organization might be exactly what’s needed instead of waiting on big policy changes. 

Check out the Cross Class Dialogue Circle, which is a nonprofit community-based project that brings people together across differences of socioeconomic background and financial experiences to build relationships across those differences.

Read this week’s stories.

Connect with Davey Shlasko

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Empowered with Davey Shlasko Davey Shlasko, Bernadette Smith 00:23:06 Davey Shlasko, Founder and Director, Think Again Training & Consulting and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about lessons in love for autistic people, inclusive design at Virgin Media, pickleball in prison, standing firm on DEI—and more! Davey Shlasko, Founder and Director, Think Again Training & Consulting and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about lessons in love for autistic people, inclusive design at Virgin Media, pickleball in prison, standing firm on DEI—and more! neurodivergence, virgin media, dei, inclusive design, apple, autism, prison, 5thingsdei, pickleball, costco false full 113 ec3db06d-0e8b-49dc-84b7-1592d83b8be7 Absurdity with Daniel Downer Daniel Downer (he/him), Senior Facilitator with Equality Institute, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Planet Fitness flexing compassion, Sweetgreen serving up support, rides, roofs, and relief for evacuees, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Planet Fitness Steps Up Relief
  2. Sweetgreen Serves Up Support
  3. Rides and Roofs for Evacuees
  4. Even More Equality
  5. Grindr Builds Families

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: For those who enjoy standup, check out Michelle Buteau’s latest Netflix special, filmed at Radio City Music Hall…she’s the first woman to film a comedy special at Radio City. I loved it. 

Daniel’s GVTG: Check out his top tips for keeping your DEI relevant this year and beyond!

https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-absurdity

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 14 Jan 2025 16:25:28 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Daniel Downer, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/absurdity-with-daniel-downer-iNaS3DCx Daniel Downer (he/him), Senior Facilitator with Equality Institute, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Planet Fitness flexing compassion, Sweetgreen serving up support, rides, roofs, and relief for evacuees, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Planet Fitness Steps Up Relief
  2. Sweetgreen Serves Up Support
  3. Rides and Roofs for Evacuees
  4. Even More Equality
  5. Grindr Builds Families

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: For those who enjoy standup, check out Michelle Buteau’s latest Netflix special, filmed at Radio City Music Hall…she’s the first woman to film a comedy special at Radio City. I loved it. 

Daniel’s GVTG: Check out his top tips for keeping your DEI relevant this year and beyond!

https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-absurdity

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Absurdity with Daniel Downer Daniel Downer, Bernadette Smith 00:21:35 Daniel Downer (he/him), Senior Facilitator with Equality Institute, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Planet Fitness flexing compassion, Sweetgreen serving up support, rides, roofs, and relief for evacuees, and more! Daniel Downer (he/him), Senior Facilitator with Equality Institute, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Planet Fitness flexing compassion, Sweetgreen serving up support, rides, roofs, and relief for evacuees, and more! uber, planet fitness, la fires, hrc, airbnb, hr benefits, sweetgreen, grindr, lyft, 5thingsdei, cei false full 112 226292b3-07f6-4547-826c-b31b30f1d433 Shining with Katherine Longhi Katherine Longhi (she/her), Inclusive Culture Consultant at Limitless Possibility, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about Starbucks serving up parental leave perks, justice literally taking the stage, Walmart’s game-changing visual interpretation initiative, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Starbucks Serves Up Parental Leave Perks
  2. Justice Takes the Stage—Literally!
  3. Walmart Provides Visual Interpretation
  4. Breaking Up Is Hard to Hide
  5. Hasbro Plays to Win on Innovation

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Listen to this short National Public Radio segment about President Jimmy Carter’s “legacy of advancing progress for Black women.” I wasn’t previously aware of the appointments he made and the opportunities he created. 

Katherine's GVTG: Get uncomfortable. One way is to read the book White Women: Everything You Already Know About Your Own Racism and How to Do Better by Regina Jackson and Saira Rao

Read the Stories.

Connect with Katherine Longhi.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 7 Jan 2025 17:20:13 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Katherine Longhi, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/shining-with-katherine-longhi-wg38vGB6 Katherine Longhi (she/her), Inclusive Culture Consultant at Limitless Possibility, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about Starbucks serving up parental leave perks, justice literally taking the stage, Walmart’s game-changing visual interpretation initiative, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Starbucks Serves Up Parental Leave Perks
  2. Justice Takes the Stage—Literally!
  3. Walmart Provides Visual Interpretation
  4. Breaking Up Is Hard to Hide
  5. Hasbro Plays to Win on Innovation

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Listen to this short National Public Radio segment about President Jimmy Carter’s “legacy of advancing progress for Black women.” I wasn’t previously aware of the appointments he made and the opportunities he created. 

Katherine's GVTG: Get uncomfortable. One way is to read the book White Women: Everything You Already Know About Your Own Racism and How to Do Better by Regina Jackson and Saira Rao

Read the Stories.

Connect with Katherine Longhi.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Shining with Katherine Longhi Katherine Longhi, Bernadette Smith 00:23:34 Katherine Longhi (she/her), Inclusive Culture Consultant at Limitless Possibility, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about Starbucks serving up parental leave perks, justice literally taking the stage, Walmart’s game-changing visual interpretation initiative, and more! Katherine Longhi (she/her), Inclusive Culture Consultant at Limitless Possibility, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about Starbucks serving up parental leave perks, justice literally taking the stage, Walmart’s game-changing visual interpretation initiative, and more! aira, walmart, hasbro, human resources, justice jackson, hr benefits, parental leave, & juliet, accessibility, broadway, starbucks, 5thingsdei, patents false full 111 4f19b9b6-a93a-4e79-9021-2d61f2eaf585 Family with Anna DeShawn Anna DeShawn (she/her), Founder & Podcaster, E3 Radio & The Qube, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, we’re talking about Tokyo’s big bet on work-life balance with a four-day workweek, how Lego is building inclusion one brick at a time for hidden disabilities, the Vatican’s rainbow-hued welcome during Holy Year, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Four-Day Workweek Coming to Tokyo
  2. Hidden Disabilities Get Brick-by-Brick Representation
  3. Holy Year, Rainbow Welcome!
  4. Doula Love Saves Lives!
  5. Boards Are Better With Women

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: I’m buying some holiday gifts from FreeFrom, a social enterprise where “100% of every purchase helps survivors of gender-based violence build wealth, safety, and power through their handcrafted products. For survivor-entrepreneurs, creating these items nurtures their healing, giving customers even more of a reason to gift abundantly.” There’s even a new documentary about this program called Survivor Made. 

Anna’s GVTG: Get yourself some E3 Radio & The Qube merch! Save 5% by end end of 2024 with code 5Things.

Read the Stories

Connect with Anna DeShawn

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 17 Dec 2024 18:24:59 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Anna DeShawn, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/family-with-anna-deshawn-2kQPAPMV Anna DeShawn (she/her), Founder & Podcaster, E3 Radio & The Qube, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, we’re talking about Tokyo’s big bet on work-life balance with a four-day workweek, how Lego is building inclusion one brick at a time for hidden disabilities, the Vatican’s rainbow-hued welcome during Holy Year, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Four-Day Workweek Coming to Tokyo
  2. Hidden Disabilities Get Brick-by-Brick Representation
  3. Holy Year, Rainbow Welcome!
  4. Doula Love Saves Lives!
  5. Boards Are Better With Women

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: I’m buying some holiday gifts from FreeFrom, a social enterprise where “100% of every purchase helps survivors of gender-based violence build wealth, safety, and power through their handcrafted products. For survivor-entrepreneurs, creating these items nurtures their healing, giving customers even more of a reason to gift abundantly.” There’s even a new documentary about this program called Survivor Made. 

Anna’s GVTG: Get yourself some E3 Radio & The Qube merch! Save 5% by end end of 2024 with code 5Things.

Read the Stories

Connect with Anna DeShawn

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Family with Anna DeShawn Anna DeShawn, Bernadette Smith 00:20:44 Anna DeShawn (she/her), Founder & Podcaster, E3 Radio & The Qube, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, we’re talking about Tokyo’s big bet on work-life balance with a four-day workweek, how Lego is building inclusion one brick at a time for hidden disabilities, the Vatican’s rainbow-hued welcome during Holy Year, and more! Anna DeShawn (she/her), Founder & Podcaster, E3 Radio & The Qube, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, we’re talking about Tokyo’s big bet on work-life balance with a four-day workweek, how Lego is building inclusion one brick at a time for hidden disabilities, the Vatican’s rainbow-hued welcome during Holy Year, and more! lego, four day workweek, dei, vatican, disability, diversity, tokyo, doula, cook county, 5thingsdei, lgbtq false full 110 4e804a65-49ef-4b74-9726-252c24e34c21 Operationalizing with Dr. Melissa Vogel Dr. Melissa Vogel (she/her), Business Anthropologist, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about Breaking Fashion Barriers, Rising Wages (but Not Enough), Theme Parks Ditching Paperwork, TJ Maxx's Inclusion Win, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Breaking Barriers in Fashion
  2. Wages Are Rising—But Not Enough!
  3. Theme Parks Drop Disability Paperwork!
  4. TJ Maxx Teams Up for Inclusion!
  5. History is Made for Trans Rights

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Listen to this episode of the How I Built This podcast featuring the story of Fawn Weaver and Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey. It’s great for business nerds like me and anyone who loves a feel-good story.

Melissa’s GVTG: 1. Keep having conversations around DEI and try to stay open to understanding different perspectives. Personalizing things with simple language and relevant examples works better than statistics.

2. Look for ways to use common courtesy. Be aware of when you might be experiencing privilege at someone else’s expense. For example, speak up if the cashier overlooked the person ahead of you in line, or give the floor to a work colleague who hasn’t been able to break into the conversation or had a chance to speak.

3. Anyone can put on their “anthropologist hat” and learn more about the world and people with which they’re less familiar. The holidays are a great time to do that and to celebrate both the similarities and differences we have across cultures. Take the opportunity to teach your kids or other family members about traditions different from your own.

Read the Stories. 

Connect with Dr. Melissa Vogel.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 10 Dec 2024 16:16:53 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Dr. Melissa Vogel, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/operationalizing-with-dr-melissa-vogel-8RR_LC27 Dr. Melissa Vogel (she/her), Business Anthropologist, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about Breaking Fashion Barriers, Rising Wages (but Not Enough), Theme Parks Ditching Paperwork, TJ Maxx's Inclusion Win, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Breaking Barriers in Fashion
  2. Wages Are Rising—But Not Enough!
  3. Theme Parks Drop Disability Paperwork!
  4. TJ Maxx Teams Up for Inclusion!
  5. History is Made for Trans Rights

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Listen to this episode of the How I Built This podcast featuring the story of Fawn Weaver and Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey. It’s great for business nerds like me and anyone who loves a feel-good story.

Melissa’s GVTG: 1. Keep having conversations around DEI and try to stay open to understanding different perspectives. Personalizing things with simple language and relevant examples works better than statistics.

2. Look for ways to use common courtesy. Be aware of when you might be experiencing privilege at someone else’s expense. For example, speak up if the cashier overlooked the person ahead of you in line, or give the floor to a work colleague who hasn’t been able to break into the conversation or had a chance to speak.

3. Anyone can put on their “anthropologist hat” and learn more about the world and people with which they’re less familiar. The holidays are a great time to do that and to celebrate both the similarities and differences we have across cultures. Take the opportunity to teach your kids or other family members about traditions different from your own.

Read the Stories. 

Connect with Dr. Melissa Vogel.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Operationalizing with Dr. Melissa Vogel Dr. Melissa Vogel, Bernadette Smith 00:24:11 Dr. Melissa Vogel (she/her), Business Anthropologist, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about Breaking Fashion Barriers, Rising Wages (but Not Enough), Theme Parks Ditching Paperwork, TJ Maxx's Inclusion Win, and more! Dr. Melissa Vogel (she/her), Business Anthropologist, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about Breaking Fashion Barriers, Rising Wages (but Not Enough), Theme Parks Ditching Paperwork, TJ Maxx's Inclusion Win, and more! spectrum designs, alex consani, minimum wage, universal parks, spectrum, tj maxx, supreme court, chase strangio false full 109 70ef38d1-fb2c-446e-b629-f5cd8acace16 Rebroadcast: Recovery with Rex Wilde Rex Wilde, LGBTQ+ educator, speaker, and consultant, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about anti-racist layoffs, disabled models and designers, and more!

There was a recurring theme this week in my conversations with clients: how to recover after you’ve been called out or accidentally offended someone. Here’s the short answer: don't get dramatic. Apologize sincerely once without diminishing their experience. If you’re corrected, say thanks. Educate yourself, rather than asking them, so you can do better next time.

During an in-person keynote for a corporate client, I was asked a question that took the topic a step further. I was asked, “How much responsibility do I need to continue to take after I’ve offended someone when, after my sincere apology, they remain angry and/or aggressive?”

Here are a couple of guidelines: Remember you don’t know what it’s like to walk in their shoes and it’s a good idea to acknowledge that when speaking with the person. And, after an appropriate period of time, it’s OK to ask, “Is there anything I can do to repair this relationship?”

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Disabled Models and Designers Take Center Stage at New York Fashion Week
  2. Hearst Joins Employers Expanding Benefits to Include Divorce Support
  3. Twilio Promises ‘Anti-racist’ Layoffs as Ceo Says 11% Job Cuts Won’t Hit Workers From ‘Marginalized Communities’ More Than Others
  4. Hot Chicken Takeover’s Mission Is to Hire People Who Might Be Passed Over Elsewhere, Whether Because of Prior Incarceration, Drug Addiction, or Homelessness
  5. Interior Department Completes Removal of “Sq___” from Federal Use
     

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-recovery

To learn more about Rex, visit: https://www.rexwilde.com/
 

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 26 Nov 2024 22:35:15 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Rex Wilde, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/recovery-with-rex-wilde-_oDe2T5p Rex Wilde, LGBTQ+ educator, speaker, and consultant, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about anti-racist layoffs, disabled models and designers, and more!

There was a recurring theme this week in my conversations with clients: how to recover after you’ve been called out or accidentally offended someone. Here’s the short answer: don't get dramatic. Apologize sincerely once without diminishing their experience. If you’re corrected, say thanks. Educate yourself, rather than asking them, so you can do better next time.

During an in-person keynote for a corporate client, I was asked a question that took the topic a step further. I was asked, “How much responsibility do I need to continue to take after I’ve offended someone when, after my sincere apology, they remain angry and/or aggressive?”

Here are a couple of guidelines: Remember you don’t know what it’s like to walk in their shoes and it’s a good idea to acknowledge that when speaking with the person. And, after an appropriate period of time, it’s OK to ask, “Is there anything I can do to repair this relationship?”

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Disabled Models and Designers Take Center Stage at New York Fashion Week
  2. Hearst Joins Employers Expanding Benefits to Include Divorce Support
  3. Twilio Promises ‘Anti-racist’ Layoffs as Ceo Says 11% Job Cuts Won’t Hit Workers From ‘Marginalized Communities’ More Than Others
  4. Hot Chicken Takeover’s Mission Is to Hire People Who Might Be Passed Over Elsewhere, Whether Because of Prior Incarceration, Drug Addiction, or Homelessness
  5. Interior Department Completes Removal of “Sq___” from Federal Use
     

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-recovery

To learn more about Rex, visit: https://www.rexwilde.com/
 

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Rebroadcast: Recovery with Rex Wilde Rex Wilde, Bernadette Smith 00:17:57 In this rebroadcast, Rex Wilde, LGBTQ+ educator, speaker, and consultant, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about anti-racist layoffs, disabled models and designers, and more! In this rebroadcast, Rex Wilde, LGBTQ+ educator, speaker, and consultant, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about anti-racist layoffs, disabled models and designers, and more! dei, divorce support, marginalized communitites, anti-racist, consulting, nyfw false full 108 6a01627d-4458-450d-ba6a-dab5e4250aaf Humanizing with Wendy Ryan Wendy Ryan (she/her), CEO of Kadabra, author of the award-winning bestseller, Learn Lead Lift: How to Think, Act, and Inspire Your Way to Greatness and I recap the latest 5 Things (Good Vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about a unique cure for travel anxiety, period leave progress in Odisha, a Staten Island Parade with a little more pride, and more!

Here Are This Week’s Good Vibes:

  1. Staten Island Parade Finally Catches Up
  2. Darts, Drama, and Breaking Barriers
  3. Llama Kisses: Travel Anxiety, Cured
  4. Period Leave Progress in Odisha
  5. Equal Rights for Everyone, Period.

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: On Wednesday, attend Rex Wilde’s next virtual gathering space for DEI, HR, and ERG leaders to discuss all things TGX+.

Wendy's GVTG: Find one thing you can do each day to move yourself forward in a time in which it can be easy to feel stuck. Whether it's a self-care yoga class or sending someone a thoughtful note, or something else entirely, stay in action!

Read the 5 Things Stories.

Connect with Wendy Ryan

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 19 Nov 2024 16:10:16 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Wendy Ryan, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/humanizing-with-wendy-ryan-6mMVTB5O Wendy Ryan (she/her), CEO of Kadabra, author of the award-winning bestseller, Learn Lead Lift: How to Think, Act, and Inspire Your Way to Greatness and I recap the latest 5 Things (Good Vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about a unique cure for travel anxiety, period leave progress in Odisha, a Staten Island Parade with a little more pride, and more!

Here Are This Week’s Good Vibes:

  1. Staten Island Parade Finally Catches Up
  2. Darts, Drama, and Breaking Barriers
  3. Llama Kisses: Travel Anxiety, Cured
  4. Period Leave Progress in Odisha
  5. Equal Rights for Everyone, Period.

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: On Wednesday, attend Rex Wilde’s next virtual gathering space for DEI, HR, and ERG leaders to discuss all things TGX+.

Wendy's GVTG: Find one thing you can do each day to move yourself forward in a time in which it can be easy to feel stuck. Whether it's a self-care yoga class or sending someone a thoughtful note, or something else entirely, stay in action!

Read the 5 Things Stories.

Connect with Wendy Ryan

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Humanizing with Wendy Ryan Wendy Ryan, Bernadette Smith 00:23:18 Wendy Ryan (she/her), CEO of Kadabra, author of the award-winning bestseller, Learn Lead Lift: How to Think, Act, and Inspire Your Way to Greatness and I recap the latest 5 Things (Good Vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about a unique cure for travel anxiety, period leave progress in Odisha, a Staten Island Parade with a little more pride, and more! Wendy Ryan (she/her), CEO of Kadabra, author of the award-winning bestseller, Learn Lead Lift: How to Think, Act, and Inspire Your Way to Greatness and I recap the latest 5 Things (Good Vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about a unique cure for travel anxiety, period leave progress in Odisha, a Staten Island Parade with a little more pride, and more! odisha, darts, prop1, staten island, women, menstrual leave, grand slam of darts, transgender, lgbtq false full 107 5fcf0100-d9b3-4aee-ab11-8760235558b8 Managing Distrust with Dr. Marla Corson, Ph.D., CSP Dr. Marla Corson, Ph.D., CSP, (she/her), Founder of Corson Consulting, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about what to do when people on your team feel psychologically unsafe and don’t trust leadership after the election results. We’ll also talk about some historic firsts:  double the power with Rochester and Alsobrooks, McBride shattering ceilings, Kim’s Senate milestone, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Double the Power with Rochester and Alsobrooks
  2. McBride Shatters Glass Ceilings in Congress
  3. Emily Randall’s Triple Firsts
  4. Kim Makes History in Senate
  5. Johnson Becomes First Out LGBTQ+ Rep From The South

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Watch this video of a woman in Michigan asking her neighbor how to wear a headscarf at a mosque. 

Marla’s GVTG: Take the opportunity to connect more with anyone, not just with people who have the same viewpoint, but be open to those who don't. And really take note of what you've learned from them. And create good vibes from that. 

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-managing-distrust

Connect with Dr. Corson

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 12 Nov 2024 15:33:43 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Dr. Marla Corson, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/managing-distrust-with-dr-marla-corson-phd-csp-7b_13j_K Dr. Marla Corson, Ph.D., CSP, (she/her), Founder of Corson Consulting, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about what to do when people on your team feel psychologically unsafe and don’t trust leadership after the election results. We’ll also talk about some historic firsts:  double the power with Rochester and Alsobrooks, McBride shattering ceilings, Kim’s Senate milestone, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Double the Power with Rochester and Alsobrooks
  2. McBride Shatters Glass Ceilings in Congress
  3. Emily Randall’s Triple Firsts
  4. Kim Makes History in Senate
  5. Johnson Becomes First Out LGBTQ+ Rep From The South

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Watch this video of a woman in Michigan asking her neighbor how to wear a headscarf at a mosque. 

Marla’s GVTG: Take the opportunity to connect more with anyone, not just with people who have the same viewpoint, but be open to those who don't. And really take note of what you've learned from them. And create good vibes from that. 

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-managing-distrust

Connect with Dr. Corson

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Managing Distrust with Dr. Marla Corson, Ph.D., CSP Dr. Marla Corson, Bernadette Smith 00:24:53 Dr. Marla Corson, Ph.D., CSP, (she/her), Founder of Corson Consulting, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about what to do when people on your team feel psychologically unsafe and don’t trust leadership after the election results. We’ll also talk about some historic firsts: double the power with Rochester and Alsobrooks, McBride shattering ceilings, Kim’s Senate milestone, and more! Dr. Marla Corson, Ph.D., CSP, (she/her), Founder of Corson Consulting, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about what to do when people on your team feel psychologically unsafe and don’t trust leadership after the election results. We’ll also talk about some historic firsts: double the power with Rochester and Alsobrooks, McBride shattering ceilings, Kim’s Senate milestone, and more! jfk, dei, walmart, autism, hitachi, mark cuban, 5thingsdei false full 106 d0cfd8fa-ed43-4e74-9999-295c7ce11137 The Rebrand with Dorie Clark Dorie Clark (she/her), WSJ Bestselling Author and Professor of Executive Education at Columbia Business School and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Inclusive Care with a Smile, Raising the Curtain on Neurodivergence, Toasting Respect, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Inclusive Dentistry Is More Than Words
  2. Long-Overdue Apology Hits Home
  3. Neurodiverse Stars in the Spotlight
  4. Respect in Every Pour
  5. Neurodivergent Nights

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Watch Rez Ball on Netflix! It’s a drama about a high school basketball team in New Mexico competing for the state championship. I loved the authenticity of the storytelling. 

Dorie’s GVTG: Dorie celebrates LGBTQ-inclusive wedding cards while acknowledging there aren't many of them including on Etsy!

Read the Stories

Connect with Dorie Clark

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 5 Nov 2024 17:20:39 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Dorie Clark, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/the-rebrand-with-dorie-clark-B5_y_vnT Dorie Clark (she/her), WSJ Bestselling Author and Professor of Executive Education at Columbia Business School and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Inclusive Care with a Smile, Raising the Curtain on Neurodivergence, Toasting Respect, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Inclusive Dentistry Is More Than Words
  2. Long-Overdue Apology Hits Home
  3. Neurodiverse Stars in the Spotlight
  4. Respect in Every Pour
  5. Neurodivergent Nights

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Watch Rez Ball on Netflix! It’s a drama about a high school basketball team in New Mexico competing for the state championship. I loved the authenticity of the storytelling. 

Dorie’s GVTG: Dorie celebrates LGBTQ-inclusive wedding cards while acknowledging there aren't many of them including on Etsy!

Read the Stories

Connect with Dorie Clark

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> The Rebrand with Dorie Clark Dorie Clark, Bernadette Smith 00:22:31 Dorie Clark (she/her), WSJ Bestselling Author and Professor of Executive Education at Columbia Business School and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Inclusive Care with a Smile, Raising the Curtain on Neurodivergence, Toasting Respect, and more! Dorie Clark (she/her), WSJ Bestselling Author and Professor of Executive Education at Columbia Business School and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Inclusive Care with a Smile, Raising the Curtain on Neurodivergence, Toasting Respect, and more! neurodivergence, dentistry, university of illinois, pbs, autism, dead rabbit, irish exit, neurodiversity, broadway, 5thingsdei, car the collector, rez ball false full 105 2e900609-18be-474b-b1f0-737b42b83dd0 Help with Lekeshia Hicks Lekeshia Hicks (she/her), Diversity Strategist & Inclusive Leadership Coach and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about breaking barriers with Fenix FC, cutting out racism in barbering, and inclusive beauty that benefits everyone!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Style That Fits—Literally!
  2. Fenix FC Breaks Barriers
  3. Cutting Racism Out of Barbering
  4. Inclusive Beauty That Benefits All
  5. Game-Changer for Brands

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Check out one of my favorite DEI Books: Inclusion Nudges by Tinna C. Nielsen and Lisa Kepinski. This book has 100 crowd-sourced DEI behavioral design ideas that specifically “nudge” our brains towards inclusion using principles of neuroscience. It’s an incredibly useful book. 

Lekeshia’s GVTG: Build yourself a personal board of directors, people you can collaborate with, bounce ideas off, and get support when things are tough. It can be transformative to your life and business!

Read the Stories.

Connect with Lekeshia Hicks on LinkedIn and her website. Get her book Receipts and Revelations here.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 29 Oct 2024 14:45:24 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Lekeshia Hicks, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/help-with-lekeshia-hicks-BuP8z_g_ Lekeshia Hicks (she/her), Diversity Strategist & Inclusive Leadership Coach and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about breaking barriers with Fenix FC, cutting out racism in barbering, and inclusive beauty that benefits everyone!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Style That Fits—Literally!
  2. Fenix FC Breaks Barriers
  3. Cutting Racism Out of Barbering
  4. Inclusive Beauty That Benefits All
  5. Game-Changer for Brands

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s GVTG: Check out one of my favorite DEI Books: Inclusion Nudges by Tinna C. Nielsen and Lisa Kepinski. This book has 100 crowd-sourced DEI behavioral design ideas that specifically “nudge” our brains towards inclusion using principles of neuroscience. It’s an incredibly useful book. 

Lekeshia’s GVTG: Build yourself a personal board of directors, people you can collaborate with, bounce ideas off, and get support when things are tough. It can be transformative to your life and business!

Read the Stories.

Connect with Lekeshia Hicks on LinkedIn and her website. Get her book Receipts and Revelations here.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Help with Lekeshia Hicks Lekeshia Hicks, Bernadette Smith 00:21:55 Lekeshia Hicks (she/her), Diversity Strategist & Inclusive Leadership Coach and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about breaking barriers with Fenix FC, cutting out racism in barbering, and inclusive beauty that benefits everyone! Lekeshia Hicks (she/her), Diversity Strategist & Inclusive Leadership Coach and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about breaking barriers with Fenix FC, cutting out racism in barbering, and inclusive beauty that benefits everyone! football, wnba, athena pledge, target, accessibility, st. louis, cisco, deloitte, guide beauty, jcpenny, 5thingsdei, fenix fc, at&t, elf beauty, capital one, rare beauty, rare beauty false full 104 98e1e77d-fa13-4230-ba55-a922f81c0c28 Butt Kicked with John R. DiJulius III & David D. Murray John R. DiJulius III and David D. Murray, President and Vice President of Consulting, respectively, The DiJulius Group, recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, we're diving into the push for debt-free degrees for employees, Uber's latest commitment to accessibility, and retailers' commitment to Diwali!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Inclusivity Strikes Back: Star Wars Edition!
  2. Uber Says: Accessibility, Full Speed Ahead!
  3. Representation Index: Time for Inclusivity Check!
  4. Degrees Without Debt? Yes, Please!
  5. Diwali Delights in Retail

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s Good Vibe to Go: It’s almost Halloween, a time when cultural appropriation can go very badly. Check out these tips for an inclusive Halloween, from our friends at The Diversity Movement. 

John and Dave's Good Vibe to go: Lead with humility! It's a skill you can develop and it goes a long way towards being an inclusive leader.

Read the Stories.

Connect with John R. DiJulius III and David D. Murray.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 22 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (John R. DiJulius III, David D. Murray, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/butt-kicked-with-john-r-dijulius-iii-david-d-murray-EfO2vAV1 John R. DiJulius III and David D. Murray, President and Vice President of Consulting, respectively, The DiJulius Group, recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, we're diving into the push for debt-free degrees for employees, Uber's latest commitment to accessibility, and retailers' commitment to Diwali!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Inclusivity Strikes Back: Star Wars Edition!
  2. Uber Says: Accessibility, Full Speed Ahead!
  3. Representation Index: Time for Inclusivity Check!
  4. Degrees Without Debt? Yes, Please!
  5. Diwali Delights in Retail

Good Vibes to Go: 

Bernadette’s Good Vibe to Go: It’s almost Halloween, a time when cultural appropriation can go very badly. Check out these tips for an inclusive Halloween, from our friends at The Diversity Movement. 

John and Dave's Good Vibe to go: Lead with humility! It's a skill you can develop and it goes a long way towards being an inclusive leader.

Read the Stories.

Connect with John R. DiJulius III and David D. Murray.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Butt Kicked with John R. DiJulius III & David D. Murray John R. DiJulius III, David D. Murray, Bernadette Smith 00:20:43 John R. DiJulius III and David D. Murray, President and Vice President of Consulting, respectively, The DiJulius Group, recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, we're diving into the push for debt-free degrees for employees, Uber's latest commitment to accessibility, and retailers' commitment to Diwali! John R. DiJulius III and David D. Murray, President and Vice President of Consulting, respectively, The DiJulius Group, recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, we're diving into the push for debt-free degrees for employees, Uber's latest commitment to accessibility, and retailers' commitment to Diwali! diwali, uber, star wars, walmart, advertising, accessibility, 5thingsdei, transgender, costco, lgbtq false full 103 ec8e2125-1ea3-414b-8a91-fd89bf7e6a12 (Over) Sharing with Vivian Acquah Vivian Acquah (she/her, Certified DEI Trainer and Coach and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week we’re talking about Spotify's remote work win, Jessica Campbell smashing NHL barriers, changing tables changing lives, and more! 

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Student Loans Benefit Rolls out
  2. Flying High on Inclusivity!
  3. Changing the Game with Changing Tables!
  4. Jessica Campbell Breaks the Ice
  5. Spotify’s ‘Work From Anywhere’ Stays!

Good Vibes to Go: 

From Bernadette: It’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month! Check out this article from the World Economic Forum: How neurodiversity in the workplace can drive business success.

From Vivian: Think about ways you can empathize with someone else. Apply active listening. Read other stories. Be genuinely interested in someone else to learn from someone else's lived experiences and perspectives. Amplify empathy!

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-over-sharing

Connect with Vivian Acquah: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivianacquah/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 15 Oct 2024 13:52:15 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Vivian Acquah, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/over-sharing-with-vivian-acquah-Mw1Hh82d Vivian Acquah (she/her, Certified DEI Trainer and Coach and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week we’re talking about Spotify's remote work win, Jessica Campbell smashing NHL barriers, changing tables changing lives, and more! 

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Student Loans Benefit Rolls out
  2. Flying High on Inclusivity!
  3. Changing the Game with Changing Tables!
  4. Jessica Campbell Breaks the Ice
  5. Spotify’s ‘Work From Anywhere’ Stays!

Good Vibes to Go: 

From Bernadette: It’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month! Check out this article from the World Economic Forum: How neurodiversity in the workplace can drive business success.

From Vivian: Think about ways you can empathize with someone else. Apply active listening. Read other stories. Be genuinely interested in someone else to learn from someone else's lived experiences and perspectives. Amplify empathy!

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-over-sharing

Connect with Vivian Acquah: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivianacquah/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> (Over) Sharing with Vivian Acquah Vivian Acquah, Bernadette Smith 00:22:11 Vivian Acquah (she/her, Certified DEI Trainer and Coach and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week we’re talking about Spotify's remote work win, Jessica Campbell smashing NHL barriers, changing tables changing lives, and more! Vivian Acquah (she/her, Certified DEI Trainer and Coach and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week we’re talking about Spotify's remote work win, Jessica Campbell smashing NHL barriers, changing tables changing lives, and more! asl, sign language, bsl, spotify, nhl, virgin atlantic, jessica campbell, remote work, walgreens false full 102 23ebfb4e-7278-4950-8c9f-695490b72f53 Service with Erica Vogel Erica Vogel, Author: Advice from Your Trans Aunty, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about women leading in the NFL, voting rights never going out of style, and, of course, legacy privilege getting the boot. 

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Levi's: Voting Rights Never Go Out of Style
  2. Women Leading NFL—And Winning!
  3. Bye-Bye, Legacy Privilege!
  4. BoA Boosts Teller Pay
  5. Outing Isn’t an Option Anymore

Good Vibes to Go: 

There are a number of Jewish holidays coming up – and Rosh Hoshana just wrapped. Learn the dates and some tips for your team in this LinkedIn post by Nate Shalev. 

Erica’s tip: Be kind to trans folks; escort them to public bathrooms; talk to them using their correct names and pronouns. Before you ask an invasive question, particularly about bodies, ask yourself if you would be uncomfortable with someone asking you that same question. And if so, don’t ask!

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-service

Connect with Erica Vogel.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 8 Oct 2024 16:24:39 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Erica Vogel, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/service-with-erica-vogel-r_x78ylm Erica Vogel, Author: Advice from Your Trans Aunty, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about women leading in the NFL, voting rights never going out of style, and, of course, legacy privilege getting the boot. 

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Levi's: Voting Rights Never Go Out of Style
  2. Women Leading NFL—And Winning!
  3. Bye-Bye, Legacy Privilege!
  4. BoA Boosts Teller Pay
  5. Outing Isn’t an Option Anymore

Good Vibes to Go: 

There are a number of Jewish holidays coming up – and Rosh Hoshana just wrapped. Learn the dates and some tips for your team in this LinkedIn post by Nate Shalev. 

Erica’s tip: Be kind to trans folks; escort them to public bathrooms; talk to them using their correct names and pronouns. Before you ask an invasive question, particularly about bodies, ask yourself if you would be uncomfortable with someone asking you that same question. And if so, don’t ask!

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-service

Connect with Erica Vogel.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Service with Erica Vogel Erica Vogel, Bernadette Smith 00:20:56 Erica Vogel, Author: Advice from Your Trans Aunty, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about women leading in the NFL, voting rights never going out of style, and, of course, legacy privilege getting the boot. Erica Vogel, Author: Advice from Your Trans Aunty, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about women leading in the NFL, voting rights never going out of style, and, of course, legacy privilege getting the boot. boa, new hampshire, dei, california, voting, pay equity, 5thingsdei, levis, lgbtq, nfl false full 101 3ec2a55a-7ed7-4cb8-a692-60f35267ed37 Client-Facing with Jessica Pettitt Jessica Pettitt (she/her), author of Good Enough Now, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is all about LA comedy embracing neurodiversity, Phifer shaking up employee health care, Microsoft getting serious about inclusive AI, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. LA Comedy Show Embraces Neurodiversity
  2. Phifer Transforms Employee Health Care
  3. Microsoft Focuses on Inclusive AI Development
  4. Synchrony Offers On-Site Therapy Sessions
  5. SheDrives Empowers Trans, Women Riders

This week’s good vibes to go:

From Bernadette: Get Smarter in Seconds by watching this YouTube series by Blair Imani. Learn about Juneteenth in 90 seconds, about Ramadan in 30, and ADHD in a minute! 


From Jess: Be more curious…always look for something that you don’t already know so you can find beauty and novelty in something new and interesting. What are you doing that you’ve never done before? What are you learning and are you challenging yourself so that you can create a better community?

Read the Stories

Connect with Jessica Pettitt. Her next book comes out on October 8!

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 1 Oct 2024 19:33:50 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith, Jessica Pettitt) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/client-facing-with-jessica-pettitt-frkakghf Jessica Pettitt (she/her), author of Good Enough Now, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is all about LA comedy embracing neurodiversity, Phifer shaking up employee health care, Microsoft getting serious about inclusive AI, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. LA Comedy Show Embraces Neurodiversity
  2. Phifer Transforms Employee Health Care
  3. Microsoft Focuses on Inclusive AI Development
  4. Synchrony Offers On-Site Therapy Sessions
  5. SheDrives Empowers Trans, Women Riders

This week’s good vibes to go:

From Bernadette: Get Smarter in Seconds by watching this YouTube series by Blair Imani. Learn about Juneteenth in 90 seconds, about Ramadan in 30, and ADHD in a minute! 


From Jess: Be more curious…always look for something that you don’t already know so you can find beauty and novelty in something new and interesting. What are you doing that you’ve never done before? What are you learning and are you challenging yourself so that you can create a better community?

Read the Stories

Connect with Jessica Pettitt. Her next book comes out on October 8!

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Client-Facing with Jessica Pettitt Bernadette Smith, Jessica Pettitt 00:21:50 Jessica Pettitt (she/her), author of Good Enough Now, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is all about LA comedy embracing neurodiversity, Phifer shaking up employee health care, Microsoft getting serious about inclusive AI, and more! Jessica Pettitt (she/her), author of Good Enough Now, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is all about LA comedy embracing neurodiversity, Phifer shaking up employee health care, Microsoft getting serious about inclusive AI, and more! microsoft, pakistan, synchrony, dei, mental health, health care, ai, phifer, neurodiversity, 5thingsdei, transgender, lgbtq false full 100 36544ab6-b557-491e-8368-724c546faa2b Cruising with Michael Iannelli Michael Iannelli (he/him), Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer of Ablr, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about BSL at Nissan, baby-wearing statues in the UK, unplugged Australians, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Permission for Australians to Unplug
  2. London Statues Now Include Baby-Wearers
  3. Connecticut Claps-Back to Florida
  4. BoA’s Crisis Support
  5. Nissan Employees Learn BSL

This week's Call to Action:

Is your organization’s website fully accessible? I know ours isn’t fully there – but we’re working on it…connect with Ablr to get your own free website accessibility assessment. 

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-cruising

Connect with Mike at Ablr and on LinkedIn. 

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Wed, 25 Sep 2024 14:14:25 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Michael Iannelli, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/cruising-with-michael-iannelli-yebhMreo Michael Iannelli (he/him), Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer of Ablr, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about BSL at Nissan, baby-wearing statues in the UK, unplugged Australians, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Permission for Australians to Unplug
  2. London Statues Now Include Baby-Wearers
  3. Connecticut Claps-Back to Florida
  4. BoA’s Crisis Support
  5. Nissan Employees Learn BSL

This week's Call to Action:

Is your organization’s website fully accessible? I know ours isn’t fully there – but we’re working on it…connect with Ablr to get your own free website accessibility assessment. 

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-cruising

Connect with Mike at Ablr and on LinkedIn. 

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Cruising with Michael Iannelli Michael Iannelli, Bernadette Smith 00:24:45 Michael Iannelli (he/him), Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer of Ablr, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about BSL at Nissan, baby-wearing statues in the UK, unplugged Australians, and more! Michael Iannelli (he/him), Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer of Ablr, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about BSL at Nissan, baby-wearing statues in the UK, unplugged Australians, and more! employee benefits, bank of america, diversity and inclusion, dei, connecticut, bsl, australia, human resources, australia, lgbtq, nissan, uk false full 99 9bcd3a20-3058-4943-be4e-4c18cb0ba515 Hang On with Chris Simmons Chris Simmons (he/him), Trailblazing Diversity Leader, Author & Keynote Speaker, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes! This week our conversation is about neurodivergent inclusion at EY, a more accessible Yelp, Harry Potter, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Yelp Expands Accessibility Features
  2. Don’t Tell J.K. Rowling
  3. EY Sees Success with Neurodivergent Inclusion
  4. Non-Binary Runners to Earn Prize Money
  5. New Monuments Pay Tribute to Black Women

This week's Call to Action:

Read my friend Julie Kratz’s article in Forbes: How PWC Measures the Impact of Inclusion.

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-hang-on

Connect with Chris Simmons via his website and LinkedIn.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 10 Sep 2024 16:55:05 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Chris Simmons, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/hang-on-with-chris-simmons-Z6uuHZsi Chris Simmons (he/him), Trailblazing Diversity Leader, Author & Keynote Speaker, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes! This week our conversation is about neurodivergent inclusion at EY, a more accessible Yelp, Harry Potter, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Yelp Expands Accessibility Features
  2. Don’t Tell J.K. Rowling
  3. EY Sees Success with Neurodivergent Inclusion
  4. Non-Binary Runners to Earn Prize Money
  5. New Monuments Pay Tribute to Black Women

This week's Call to Action:

Read my friend Julie Kratz’s article in Forbes: How PWC Measures the Impact of Inclusion.

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-hang-on

Connect with Chris Simmons via his website and LinkedIn.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Hang On with Chris Simmons Chris Simmons, Bernadette Smith 00:24:16 Chris Simmons (he/him), Trailblazing Diversity Leader, Author & Keynote Speaker, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes! This week our conversation is about neurodivergent inclusion at EY, a more accessible Yelp, Harry Potter, and more! Chris Simmons (he/him), Trailblazing Diversity Leader, Author & Keynote Speaker, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes! This week our conversation is about neurodivergent inclusion at EY, a more accessible Yelp, Harry Potter, and more! neurodivergence, yelp, ey, dei, confederate monuments, philadelphia marathon, accessibility, non-binary, 5thingsdei, lgbtq, harry potter false full 98 1f796fb6-8d14-4837-bf7f-dc71d66f18dd Joy with Karl Dunn Karl Dunn (he/him), Author of How to Burn a Rainbow, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about up-front tuition funding, increased safety for women travelers in India, Pottery Barn’s latest collection, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. DNC Showcases Diverse-Owned Businesses at Vendor Fair
  2. Pottery Barn Expands Accessible Products
  3. IndiGo Airlines Improves Safety for Women
  4. Stress Relief for NYC Transit Workers
  5. Trane Offers Up-Front Funding for Tuition

This week's Call to Action:

Read this great article by Tom Geraghty: Psychological safety should support DEI, not replace it.

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-joy

Connect with Karl Dunn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/karldunn/ and https://www.karldunn.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 27 Aug 2024 14:06:52 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Karl Dunn, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/joy-with-karl-dunn-K9N1Gqz7 Karl Dunn (he/him), Author of How to Burn a Rainbow, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about up-front tuition funding, increased safety for women travelers in India, Pottery Barn’s latest collection, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. DNC Showcases Diverse-Owned Businesses at Vendor Fair
  2. Pottery Barn Expands Accessible Products
  3. IndiGo Airlines Improves Safety for Women
  4. Stress Relief for NYC Transit Workers
  5. Trane Offers Up-Front Funding for Tuition

This week's Call to Action:

Read this great article by Tom Geraghty: Psychological safety should support DEI, not replace it.

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-joy

Connect with Karl Dunn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/karldunn/ and https://www.karldunn.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Joy with Karl Dunn Karl Dunn, Bernadette Smith 00:24:43 Karl Dunn (he/him), Author of How to Burn a Rainbow, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about up-front tuition funding, increased safety for women travelers in India, Pottery Barn’s latest collection, and more! Karl Dunn (he/him), Author of How to Burn a Rainbow, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about up-front tuition funding, increased safety for women travelers in India, Pottery Barn’s latest collection, and more! pottery barn, inclusive design, dnc, trane, meditation, accessibility, nyc transit, 5thingsdei false full 97 8366fd71-9d7b-439f-bfa2-b70074c6b638 Managing Change with Sandy Diaz Haley In a special episode of 5 Things in 15 Minutes, Sandy Diaz Haley (she/her), Founder & Principal SDH Communications, and I chat about change management through a DEIB lens. Join us as we discuss Sandy's 5 key elements of communicating DEIB for change:

  1. Know your audience and what's in it for them.
  2. Who is delivering your message, the tone, and the timing?
  3. What channels are you using for maximum reach?
  4. Ask for and listen to feedback.
  5. News should be more than just sharing information - but also be about celebrating wins and successes.
     

This week’s Call to Action:

Read this article by Bernadette Davis: Keeping it Civil: Managing Contentious Conversations in the Workplace 

Connect with Sandy Diaz Haley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandy-diaz-haley/ and https://www.sdhcommunications.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Thu, 22 Aug 2024 14:51:20 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Sandy Diaz Haley, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/managing-change-with-sandy-diaz-haley-5zmWGY5c In a special episode of 5 Things in 15 Minutes, Sandy Diaz Haley (she/her), Founder & Principal SDH Communications, and I chat about change management through a DEIB lens. Join us as we discuss Sandy's 5 key elements of communicating DEIB for change:

  1. Know your audience and what's in it for them.
  2. Who is delivering your message, the tone, and the timing?
  3. What channels are you using for maximum reach?
  4. Ask for and listen to feedback.
  5. News should be more than just sharing information - but also be about celebrating wins and successes.
     

This week’s Call to Action:

Read this article by Bernadette Davis: Keeping it Civil: Managing Contentious Conversations in the Workplace 

Connect with Sandy Diaz Haley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandy-diaz-haley/ and https://www.sdhcommunications.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Managing Change with Sandy Diaz Haley Sandy Diaz Haley, Bernadette Smith 00:21:22 In a special episode of 5 Things in 15 Minutes, Sandy Diaz Haley (she/her), Founder & Principal SDH Communications, and I chat about change management through a DEIB lens. Join us as we discuss Sandy's 5 key elements of communicating DEIB for change! In a special episode of 5 Things in 15 Minutes, Sandy Diaz Haley (she/her), Founder & Principal SDH Communications, and I chat about change management through a DEIB lens. Join us as we discuss Sandy's 5 key elements of communicating DEIB for change! false full 96 cf8f49bc-e1e9-402c-acb2-e74bf3b5572f Holding Space with Jay Baez-Sanchez & Anthony Papini Jay Baez-Sanchez (she/her), DEI Enthusiast, and Anthony Papini (he/him), Director of DEI at ActiveCampaign and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about the first Black African to win a Tour de France stage, Barbie’s new dolls, inclusion at the Emmy awards, and more! We’ll also be talking about the development of ActiveCampaign’s new Junior Platform Certification Program.

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Biniam Girmay Wins Tour de France Stage
  2. Barbie’s New Inclusive Dolls
  3. Indigenous Actresses Get Emmy Noms
  4. Track and Field Gold Medalists Get Paid
  5. Canada's First Female Chief of Defense

This week's Call to Action:

Check out the Black Barbie documentary on Netflix! It’s super entertaining and brought me some good vibes. 

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-holding-space

Connect with Jay Baez-Sanchez (she/her), DEI Enthusiast, and Anthony Papini (he/him) on LinkedIn.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 30 Jul 2024 19:42:41 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Jay Baez-Sanchez, Anthony Papini, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/holding-space-with-jay-baez-sanchez-anthony-papini-Goq47AA2 Jay Baez-Sanchez (she/her), DEI Enthusiast, and Anthony Papini (he/him), Director of DEI at ActiveCampaign and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about the first Black African to win a Tour de France stage, Barbie’s new dolls, inclusion at the Emmy awards, and more! We’ll also be talking about the development of ActiveCampaign’s new Junior Platform Certification Program.

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Biniam Girmay Wins Tour de France Stage
  2. Barbie’s New Inclusive Dolls
  3. Indigenous Actresses Get Emmy Noms
  4. Track and Field Gold Medalists Get Paid
  5. Canada's First Female Chief of Defense

This week's Call to Action:

Check out the Black Barbie documentary on Netflix! It’s super entertaining and brought me some good vibes. 

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-holding-space

Connect with Jay Baez-Sanchez (she/her), DEI Enthusiast, and Anthony Papini (he/him) on LinkedIn.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Holding Space with Jay Baez-Sanchez & Anthony Papini Jay Baez-Sanchez, Anthony Papini, Bernadette Smith 00:27:17 Jay Baez-Sanchez (she/her), DEI Enthusiast, and Anthony Papini (he/him), Director of DEI at ActiveCampaign, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about the first Black African to win a Tour de France stage, Barbie’s new dolls, inclusion at the Emmy awards, and more! We’ll also be talking about the development of ActiveCampaign’s new Junior Platform Certification Program. Jay Baez-Sanchez (she/her), DEI Enthusiast, and Anthony Papini (he/him), Director of DEI at ActiveCampaign, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about the first Black African to win a Tour de France stage, Barbie’s new dolls, inclusion at the Emmy awards, and more! We’ll also be talking about the development of ActiveCampaign’s new Junior Platform Certification Program. kali reis, mattel, track and field, biniam girmay, lily gladstone, tour de france, emmy, kamala harris, jennie carignan, barbie, olympics false full 95 09f2c7cb-5ccc-4e14-9349-08e75bf7fa45 Keep Going with Molly Vetter Molly Vetter (she/her), Senior Pastor, Westwood Church, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. Molly and I were friends at college and she was a strong and visible ally and advocate during the United Methodist Church’s recent decision to lift bans on LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex weddings. She shared some of that story with us. 

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. 80% of Mattel Games Are Color-Blind Accessible
  2. First-Ever Nursery at Olympics Athletes Village
  3. Caroline’s Carts Debuting At Walmart
  4. JPMorgan’s Second Chance Agenda is Working
  5. NPS’s First-Ever LGBTQ Visitor Center Is Open

This week's Call to Action:

International Allyship Day is August 8 and my friend Julie Kratz is hosting an event live in NYC or virtually. The event will bring together industry-leading organizations to share best practices and help others develop their own unique Allyship programming. Get the details here. 

Read this week’s stories.

Connect with Molly here: www.westwoodumc.org or @revmollyvetter on Insta 

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 23 Jul 2024 15:03:56 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Molly Vetter, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/keep-going-with-molly-vetter-oYM_7lYN Molly Vetter (she/her), Senior Pastor, Westwood Church, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. Molly and I were friends at college and she was a strong and visible ally and advocate during the United Methodist Church’s recent decision to lift bans on LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex weddings. She shared some of that story with us. 

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. 80% of Mattel Games Are Color-Blind Accessible
  2. First-Ever Nursery at Olympics Athletes Village
  3. Caroline’s Carts Debuting At Walmart
  4. JPMorgan’s Second Chance Agenda is Working
  5. NPS’s First-Ever LGBTQ Visitor Center Is Open

This week's Call to Action:

International Allyship Day is August 8 and my friend Julie Kratz is hosting an event live in NYC or virtually. The event will bring together industry-leading organizations to share best practices and help others develop their own unique Allyship programming. Get the details here. 

Read this week’s stories.

Connect with Molly here: www.westwoodumc.org or @revmollyvetter on Insta 

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Keep Going with Molly Vetter Molly Vetter, Bernadette Smith 00:21:49 Molly Vetter (she/her), Senior Pastor, Westwood Church, and I will recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes on Monday at 1 pm ET. This week our conversation is about color-blind accessible games, a nursery at the Olympics, the National Park Service, and more! Molly Vetter (she/her), Senior Pastor, Westwood Church, and I will recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes on Monday at 1 pm ET. This week our conversation is about color-blind accessible games, a nursery at the Olympics, the National Park Service, and more! national park service, allyson felix, stonewall visitor center, mattel, caroline’s carts, colorblind, nursery, uno, jpmorgan, olympics false full 94 c854499c-3d24-4163-87d7-21856efd2050 Managing Yourself with Deidra Green Deidra Green (she/her), Director of DEI at European Wax Center recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about a new dub of the Avengers movie, Ben & Jerry’s new ad campaign, trans representation at the Olympics, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. The Avengers to be Dubbed in Lakota
  2. Ben & Jerry’s Urges Activism
  3. Nikki Hiltz, a Trans Non-Binary Runner, Heads to the Olympics
  4. Minnesota is Stepping Up Its Inclusivity Game
  5. More ERG Leads Get Compensated

This week's Call to Action:

Lily Zheng has released a new LinkedIn Learning course called “A Playbook to Achieve Equity Anywhere” and I learned a thing or two. Check it out!

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-managing-yourself

Connect with Deidra Green on LinkedIn.

Visit the European Wax Center.

Deidra’s book recommendations: The Courage to be Disliked and The Life Brief

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 16 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Deidra Green, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/managing-yourself-with-deidra-green-LX0EkwlT Deidra Green (she/her), Director of DEI at European Wax Center recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about a new dub of the Avengers movie, Ben & Jerry’s new ad campaign, trans representation at the Olympics, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. The Avengers to be Dubbed in Lakota
  2. Ben & Jerry’s Urges Activism
  3. Nikki Hiltz, a Trans Non-Binary Runner, Heads to the Olympics
  4. Minnesota is Stepping Up Its Inclusivity Game
  5. More ERG Leads Get Compensated

This week's Call to Action:

Lily Zheng has released a new LinkedIn Learning course called “A Playbook to Achieve Equity Anywhere” and I learned a thing or two. Check it out!

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-managing-yourself

Connect with Deidra Green on LinkedIn.

Visit the European Wax Center.

Deidra’s book recommendations: The Courage to be Disliked and The Life Brief

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Managing Yourself with Deidra Green Deidra Green, Bernadette Smith 00:22:24 Deidra Green (she/her), Director of DEI at European Wax Center, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about a new dub of the Avengers movie, Ben & Jerry’s new ad campaign, trans representation at the Olympics, and more! Deidra Green (she/her), Director of DEI at European Wax Center, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about a new dub of the Avengers movie, Ben & Jerry’s new ad campaign, trans representation at the Olympics, and more! erg, ben & jerry’s, dei, autodesk, lakota, nikki hiltz, autism, minnesota, the avengers, 5thingsdei, allstate, micron false full 93 472bca59-47a2-4735-bf16-83a27ab88423 Revisiting i360 In my first-ever solo episode, I answer the question posed by Rita from my team: "What's the future of DEI?" The answer for me is simple: it's becoming Inclusive 360, which is the name of my book. Listen up for more.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 9 Jul 2024 18:13:45 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/revisiting-i360-vwMfekbu In my first-ever solo episode, I answer the question posed by Rita from my team: "What's the future of DEI?" The answer for me is simple: it's becoming Inclusive 360, which is the name of my book. Listen up for more.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Revisiting i360 Bernadette Smith 00:18:31 In my first-ever solo episode, I answer the question posed by Rita from my team: "What's the future of DEI?" The answer for me is simple: it's becoming Inclusive 360, which is the name of my book. Listen up for more. In my first-ever solo episode, I answer the question posed by Rita from my team: "What's the future of DEI?" The answer for me is simple: it's becoming Inclusive 360, which is the name of my book. Listen up for more. equity, dei, diversity, inclusion, 5thingsdei false full 92 eeca52d4-9047-489f-be33-a073bb576e66 Express Yourself with Risha Grant Risha Grant (she/her), The BS Finder, International Speaker & Bestselling Author and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Disney’s new ride, a historic pardon, and inclusion at the Tokyo Marathon, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Tokyo Marathon Adds Non-Binary Category
  2. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Opens at Disney
  3. Christopher Street Station Gets Renamed
  4. President Biden Pardons Thousands of Gay Men
  5. Anthropologie Launches Adaptive Apparel

This week's Call to Action:

Watch Origin, Ava Du Vernay’s latest film. It’s now on Hulu and “explores the mystery of history, the wonders of romance, and a fight for our future.”

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/flow-state

Connect with Risha Grant: https://www.rishagrant.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 2 Jul 2024 14:34:22 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Risha Grant, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/express-yourself-with-risha-grant-MQXpaE8Y Risha Grant (she/her), The BS Finder, International Speaker & Bestselling Author and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Disney’s new ride, a historic pardon, and inclusion at the Tokyo Marathon, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Tokyo Marathon Adds Non-Binary Category
  2. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Opens at Disney
  3. Christopher Street Station Gets Renamed
  4. President Biden Pardons Thousands of Gay Men
  5. Anthropologie Launches Adaptive Apparel

This week's Call to Action:

Watch Origin, Ava Du Vernay’s latest film. It’s now on Hulu and “explores the mystery of history, the wonders of romance, and a fight for our future.”

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/flow-state

Connect with Risha Grant: https://www.rishagrant.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Express Yourself with Risha Grant Risha Grant, Bernadette Smith 00:21:59 Risha Grant (she/her), The BS Finder, International Speaker & Bestselling Author and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Disney’s new ride, a historic pardon, and inclusion at the Tokyo Marathon, and more! Risha Grant (she/her), The BS Finder, International Speaker & Bestselling Author and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Disney’s new ride, a historic pardon, and inclusion at the Tokyo Marathon, and more! biden, dei, disney, anthropologie, csr, tokyo marathon, running, tiana, disabilities, lgbtq false full 91 b0c23765-c44f-4bf8-9d34-66f4368aff00 Gayborhood with Kit Lim Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Happier Employees = Lower Turnover at IKEA
  2. Thailand Approves Marriage Equality
  3. Record Employment for People With Disabilities
  4. Doris Burke Calls NBA Finals
  5. Miss Maryland USA Breaks Barriers

Call to Action:

Too hot out there? Stay cool inside and check out these movies by and about trans people to watch this Pride month

Read the stories:  https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-gayborhood

Connect with Kit Lim (she/her), DEI leader and coach.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 25 Jun 2024 15:50:52 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Kit Lim, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/gayborhood-with-kit-lim-ttNg_eNT Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Happier Employees = Lower Turnover at IKEA
  2. Thailand Approves Marriage Equality
  3. Record Employment for People With Disabilities
  4. Doris Burke Calls NBA Finals
  5. Miss Maryland USA Breaks Barriers

Call to Action:

Too hot out there? Stay cool inside and check out these movies by and about trans people to watch this Pride month

Read the stories:  https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-gayborhood

Connect with Kit Lim (she/her), DEI leader and coach.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Gayborhood with Kit Lim Kit Lim, Bernadette Smith 00:22:26 Kit Lim (she/her), DEI leader and coach, and I will recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about happier employees at IKEA, marriage equality in Thailand, the first woman to call an NBA final, and more! Kit Lim (she/her), DEI leader and coach, and I will recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about happier employees at IKEA, marriage equality in Thailand, the first woman to call an NBA final, and more! nba, dei, marriage equality, doris burke, ikea, human resources, miss maryland, thailand, disabilities, lgbtq false full 90 8990712b-6ff0-43c2-aa9d-41a50b189a32 Trojan Horse with David Smith Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Scholastic Publishes Pride Guide 
  2. Claudia Sheinbaum Breaks Glass Ceiling in Mexico
  3. Planet Fitness Affirms Trans Inclusion
  4. FIFA and Citigroup Expand Parental Leave

This week's Call to Action:

GRACE is a transgender-led national nonprofit organization that’s creating videos featuring conservative and center-right parents standing up for their trans children. Watch and share this first video of Eric Childs, Operation Iraqi Freedom combat Veteran – and father to a transgender teenager. He also happens to have conservative values. 

Read this week’s stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-trojan-horse

Connect with David Smith: www.workplaceallies.com

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 11 Jun 2024 19:56:42 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (David Smith, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/trojan-horse-with-david-smith-5VqxY47Z Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Scholastic Publishes Pride Guide 
  2. Claudia Sheinbaum Breaks Glass Ceiling in Mexico
  3. Planet Fitness Affirms Trans Inclusion
  4. FIFA and Citigroup Expand Parental Leave

This week's Call to Action:

GRACE is a transgender-led national nonprofit organization that’s creating videos featuring conservative and center-right parents standing up for their trans children. Watch and share this first video of Eric Childs, Operation Iraqi Freedom combat Veteran – and father to a transgender teenager. He also happens to have conservative values. 

Read this week’s stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-trojan-horse

Connect with David Smith: www.workplaceallies.com

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Trojan Horse with David Smith David Smith, Bernadette Smith 00:22:48 David Smith (he/him), Associate Professor in the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Mexico’s new president, Planet Fitness’s trans inclusion, expansion of parental leave, and more! David Smith (he/him), Associate Professor in the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Mexico’s new president, Planet Fitness’s trans inclusion, expansion of parental leave, and more! planet fitness, dei, human resources, citigroup, parental leave, fifa, claudia sheinbaum, scholastic, lgbtq false full 89 f7c9c757-8c8c-45fe-a592-555e992ad258 Cringe with Denise Wells Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Trans Woman Awarded Best Actress at Cannes
  2. Melinda French Gates Pledges $1B for Women
  3. Major Accessibility Updates Coming to Airports
  4. MLB Adds Negro League Stats
  5. Boston University Renames Dorm

This week's Call to Action:

It’s LGBTQ+ Pride Month! Remember, Pride started as an act of rebellion, and Pride parades are still forms of protest in many places. Learn about Pride around the world through Outright International. You can learn about how Pride was celebrated in 100 countries last year and some background information on the status of LGBTQ+ inclusion in those countries.

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-cringe

Connect with  DEI Advisor Denise Wells: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamldwells/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 4 Jun 2024 14:51:22 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Denise Wells, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/cringe-with-denise-wells-WE8dbjFG Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Trans Woman Awarded Best Actress at Cannes
  2. Melinda French Gates Pledges $1B for Women
  3. Major Accessibility Updates Coming to Airports
  4. MLB Adds Negro League Stats
  5. Boston University Renames Dorm

This week's Call to Action:

It’s LGBTQ+ Pride Month! Remember, Pride started as an act of rebellion, and Pride parades are still forms of protest in many places. Learn about Pride around the world through Outright International. You can learn about how Pride was celebrated in 100 countries last year and some background information on the status of LGBTQ+ inclusion in those countries.

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-cringe

Connect with  DEI Advisor Denise Wells: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamldwells/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Cringe with Denise Wells Denise Wells, Bernadette Smith 00:22:13 DEI Advisor Denise Wells (she/her) recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about history made at the Cannes Film Festival, new accessibility updates at airports, Melinda French Gates’ new pledge, and more! DEI Advisor Denise Wells (she/her) recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about history made at the Cannes Film Festival, new accessibility updates at airports, Melinda French Gates’ new pledge, and more! boston university, negro league, melinda french gates, mlb, accessibility, airports, cannes false full 88 249bdd83-a493-4141-aa41-8862728ca2b8 Rebroadcast: Ageist with Dr. Therese (Waltz) Canares This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. ‘Sesame Street’ Introduces TJ, the Show’s First Filipino American Muppet
  2. FDA Paves Way for More Gay and Bisexual Men to Donate Blood With New Risk-Based Assessment
  3. Dartmouth Health on How to Reduce Hiring Bias, the Power of DEIB Statements
  4. Airbnb Let Its Workers Live and Work Anywhere. Spoiler: They’re Loving It
  5. For Kids, Going Under Anesthesia Can Be Scary. This Nurse Made a Video Game to Ease Fears

Call to Action:

Watch this PBS Special “Rising Against Asian Hate” narrated by the fabulous Sandra Oh. The special “sheds light on the struggles, triumphs, and achievements of AAPI communities.”

To learn more about CurieDx and Dr. Canares, visit: https://www.curiedx.com/

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-ageist

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes in DEI every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

This episode originally aired on May 16, 2023

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 28 May 2024 21:49:08 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Dr. Therese (Waltz) Canares, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/rebroadcast-ageist-with-dr-therese-waltz-canares-Wsdt_u7t This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. ‘Sesame Street’ Introduces TJ, the Show’s First Filipino American Muppet
  2. FDA Paves Way for More Gay and Bisexual Men to Donate Blood With New Risk-Based Assessment
  3. Dartmouth Health on How to Reduce Hiring Bias, the Power of DEIB Statements
  4. Airbnb Let Its Workers Live and Work Anywhere. Spoiler: They’re Loving It
  5. For Kids, Going Under Anesthesia Can Be Scary. This Nurse Made a Video Game to Ease Fears

Call to Action:

Watch this PBS Special “Rising Against Asian Hate” narrated by the fabulous Sandra Oh. The special “sheds light on the struggles, triumphs, and achievements of AAPI communities.”

To learn more about CurieDx and Dr. Canares, visit: https://www.curiedx.com/

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-ageist

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes in DEI every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

This episode originally aired on May 16, 2023

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Rebroadcast: Ageist with Dr. Therese (Waltz) Canares Dr. Therese (Waltz) Canares, Bernadette Smith 00:22:27 Dr. Therese (Waltz) Canares, Physician and CEO/Founder of CurieDX, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about the FDA's new policy on gay/bisexual men donating blood, Sesame Street's first Filipino Character, and more! Dr. Therese (Waltz) Canares, Physician and CEO/Founder of CurieDX, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about the FDA's new policy on gay/bisexual men donating blood, Sesame Street's first Filipino Character, and more! false full 87 da4076cd-f4b7-4183-b166-bfc31cf70d1a Karen with Lisa Flick Wilson Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. SFMOMA’s New Exhibit Celebrates Inclusion
  2. Kaylynne Truong Becomes the First Vietnamese Athlete in the WNBA
  3. Frontier Co-Op’s Values-Driven Approach
  4. Liechtenstein Passes Marriage Equality
  5. Apple Products Grow More Accessible

Connect with Bernadette: www.BernadetteSmith.com

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-karen

The first 5 Good Vibes podcast subscribers who mention the podcast in their outreach to Lisa Flick at the Radical Optimist Collective will get 20% off an immersive learning journey supported by our team in Montgomery as part of our work with Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy sites. Email us via our website: https://theradicaloptimist.com/contact/

This week's Call to Action:

Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) was last week. Get your organization a free accessibility assessment by our friends at Ablr, who train visually impaired folks to perform accessibility audits (among other amazing things).

 

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 21 May 2024 14:22:27 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Lisa Flick Wilson, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/karen-with-lisa-flick-wilson-7VpVltzc Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. SFMOMA’s New Exhibit Celebrates Inclusion
  2. Kaylynne Truong Becomes the First Vietnamese Athlete in the WNBA
  3. Frontier Co-Op’s Values-Driven Approach
  4. Liechtenstein Passes Marriage Equality
  5. Apple Products Grow More Accessible

Connect with Bernadette: www.BernadetteSmith.com

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-karen

The first 5 Good Vibes podcast subscribers who mention the podcast in their outreach to Lisa Flick at the Radical Optimist Collective will get 20% off an immersive learning journey supported by our team in Montgomery as part of our work with Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy sites. Email us via our website: https://theradicaloptimist.com/contact/

This week's Call to Action:

Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) was last week. Get your organization a free accessibility assessment by our friends at Ablr, who train visually impaired folks to perform accessibility audits (among other amazing things).

 

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Karen with Lisa Flick Wilson Lisa Flick Wilson, Bernadette Smith 00:21:22 Lisa Flick Wilson (she/her), Consultant at the Radical Optimist Collective, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about marriage equality in Liechtenstein, the first Vietnamese WNBA player, an inclusive art exhibit, and more! Lisa Flick Wilson (she/her), Consultant at the Radical Optimist Collective, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about marriage equality in Liechtenstein, the first Vietnamese WNBA player, an inclusive art exhibit, and more! liechtenstein, kaylynne truong, marriage equality, apple, wnba, child care benefits, accessibility, gaad, sfmoma, lgbtq false full 86 b35588e7-6bd1-4c14-b552-ce14c00ba5e3 Reconnecting with Lisa Demmi Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. WNBA Players to Fly Charter Flights
  2. American Cancer Society to Study Black Women
  3. Japan Airlines’ New CEO is a Woman
  4. Sesame Place Is More Inclusive of Neurodivergence
  5. Kate Spade Promotes Mental Health Awareness

This week's Call to Action:

Speaking of mental health awareness, I’ve developed a “bag of tricks” to manage my own in times of acute stress. Here are some great quick tips I learned from Ana Del Castillo that you can try in-the-moment: 6 Ways to Regulate Your System

https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-reconnecting

Connect with Lisa Demmi: www.lisademmi.com

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 14 May 2024 14:32:44 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Lisa Demmi, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/reconnecting-with-lisa-demmi-PvPx0IKm Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. WNBA Players to Fly Charter Flights
  2. American Cancer Society to Study Black Women
  3. Japan Airlines’ New CEO is a Woman
  4. Sesame Place Is More Inclusive of Neurodivergence
  5. Kate Spade Promotes Mental Health Awareness

This week's Call to Action:

Speaking of mental health awareness, I’ve developed a “bag of tricks” to manage my own in times of acute stress. Here are some great quick tips I learned from Ana Del Castillo that you can try in-the-moment: 6 Ways to Regulate Your System

https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-reconnecting

Connect with Lisa Demmi: www.lisademmi.com

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Reconnecting with Lisa Demmi Lisa Demmi, Bernadette Smith 00:21:00 Lisa Demmi (she/her), DEI Speaker, Author, Emcee, and Master Egg Poacher and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about some equity for the WNBA, the new CEO at Japan Airlines, Kate Spade’s focus on mental health awareness, and more! Lisa Demmi (she/her), DEI Speaker, Author, Emcee, and Master Egg Poacher and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about some equity for the WNBA, the new CEO at Japan Airlines, Kate Spade’s focus on mental health awareness, and more! neurodivergence, japan airlines, sesame place, wnba, mental health awareness month, kate spade, american cancer society false full 85 47b033d3-5d1b-48b9-a862-af2dc21a70dd The Belonging Buzzword with Karmen Smith Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Title IX Protections More Inclusive
  2. Potawatomi Nation Reclaims Ancestral Land
  3. John Lewis Partnership Publishes Interview Questions Online
  4. United Methodist Church Lifts LGBTQ Bans
  5. Opting Out of Mother’s Day
  6. This week's Call to Action:

Speaking of belonging, my friend Rhodes Perry, author of Imagine Belonging, is hosting The Belonging Circle: A Gathering for Inclusive Leaders, Visionaries, and Changemakers on June 6. Learn more and register here.

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-the-belonging-buzzword

Connect with Karmen Smith: https://www.karmenmichael.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 7 May 2024 15:50:21 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Karmen Smith, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/the-belonging-buzzword-with-karmen-smith-wfHRzWrI Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Title IX Protections More Inclusive
  2. Potawatomi Nation Reclaims Ancestral Land
  3. John Lewis Partnership Publishes Interview Questions Online
  4. United Methodist Church Lifts LGBTQ Bans
  5. Opting Out of Mother’s Day
  6. This week's Call to Action:

Speaking of belonging, my friend Rhodes Perry, author of Imagine Belonging, is hosting The Belonging Circle: A Gathering for Inclusive Leaders, Visionaries, and Changemakers on June 6. Learn more and register here.

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-the-belonging-buzzword

Connect with Karmen Smith: https://www.karmenmichael.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> The Belonging Buzzword with Karmen Smith Karmen Smith, Bernadette Smith 00:22:22 Karmen Smith, Author, Minister, and Queer Advocate, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about the Methodist Church lifting LGBTQ bans, opting out of Mother’s Day, the Potawatomi Nation, and more! Karmen Smith, Author, Minister, and Queer Advocate, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about the Methodist Church lifting LGBTQ bans, opting out of Mother’s Day, the Potawatomi Nation, and more! methodist, john lewis partnership, lgbtqia, potawatomi, title ix, lgbtq false full 84 06a7a59a-1a05-4611-81e9-5ffb6feae59a Unique Wisdom with Joel Davis Brown Here are this week's good vibes:

PBS Kids Adds ASL to Six Shows

Delta Continues to Invest in Employees

Korean Company Uses Korean Names

Retail/Grocery Employees to Have More Protections

Dell Sees ERG Success

This week's Call to Action: Join my next DEI Double Feature: The Belonging Buzzword. I’m hosting it with Michelle Silverthorn on May 8 and you can join right here! 

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-unique-wisdom 

Connect with Joel Davis Brown: https://joeldavisbrown.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 30 Apr 2024 15:22:42 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Joel Davis Brown, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/unique-wisdom-with-joel-davis-brown-CSsSqCVk Here are this week's good vibes:

PBS Kids Adds ASL to Six Shows

Delta Continues to Invest in Employees

Korean Company Uses Korean Names

Retail/Grocery Employees to Have More Protections

Dell Sees ERG Success

This week's Call to Action: Join my next DEI Double Feature: The Belonging Buzzword. I’m hosting it with Michelle Silverthorn on May 8 and you can join right here! 

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-unique-wisdom 

Connect with Joel Davis Brown: https://joeldavisbrown.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Unique Wisdom with Joel Davis Brown Joel Davis Brown, Bernadette Smith 00:20:36 Joel Davis Brown, speaker and author of the Souls of Queer Folk, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about a Korean company using Korean names, American Sign Language on PBS shows, and more! Joel Davis Brown, speaker and author of the Souls of Queer Folk, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about a Korean company using Korean names, American Sign Language on PBS shows, and more! pbs, delta, dell, kakao games false full 83 37913f04-0bf2-4496-9347-138ec6ea97e0 I Lied with Daniel Downer Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Singapore Enshrines Flexible Work in Law
  2. Allstate Managers Get Connections Budget
  3. Ashley for State Rep!
  4. NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Sets Records
  5. Wisconsin Includes Asian American History

This week's Call to Action:

Read this article in HBR by Lily Zheng: What Needs to Change About DEI — and What Doesn’t.

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-i-lied

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 23 Apr 2024 14:06:14 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Daniel Downer, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/i-lied-with-daniel-downer-NbyO4r01 Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Singapore Enshrines Flexible Work in Law
  2. Allstate Managers Get Connections Budget
  3. Ashley for State Rep!
  4. NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Sets Records
  5. Wisconsin Includes Asian American History

This week's Call to Action:

Read this article in HBR by Lily Zheng: What Needs to Change About DEI — and What Doesn’t.

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-i-lied

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> I Lied with Daniel Downer Daniel Downer, Bernadette Smith 00:26:31 Daniel Downer, our Senior Facilitator, and I will recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes on Monday at 11 am ET. This week our conversation is about flexible work laws, women’s basketball records, and Ashley Brundage for State Rep!, and more! Daniel Downer, our Senior Facilitator, and I will recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes on Monday at 11 am ET. This week our conversation is about flexible work laws, women’s basketball records, and Ashley Brundage for State Rep!, and more! dei, ashley brundage, flexible work, wisconsin, ncaa women’s basketball, singapore, allstate false full 82 e77c6829-6dda-49bc-8441-439aa60cf73f Gratitude with Anne Bonney Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. USCIS Now Offers Gender X
  2. Shift from Autism Awareness to Acceptance
  3. First Arab Woman Graduates from NASA 
  4. Innovative Trans Employment Project
  5. First Watch Employees Get Caregiver Benefits

This week's Call to Action:

Book recommendation time! Check out The Boldly Inclusive Leader by my friend Minette Norman. There are some great stories in this book that illustrate principles of inclusive leadership. Minette has seen A LOT!

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-gratitude

Connect with Anne Bonney: www.yourchangespeaker.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Wed, 10 Apr 2024 17:49:11 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Anne Bonney, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/gratitude-with-anne-bonney-t9C_cwx2 Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. USCIS Now Offers Gender X
  2. Shift from Autism Awareness to Acceptance
  3. First Arab Woman Graduates from NASA 
  4. Innovative Trans Employment Project
  5. First Watch Employees Get Caregiver Benefits

This week's Call to Action:

Book recommendation time! Check out The Boldly Inclusive Leader by my friend Minette Norman. There are some great stories in this book that illustrate principles of inclusive leadership. Minette has seen A LOT!

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-gratitude

Connect with Anne Bonney: www.yourchangespeaker.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Gratitude with Anne Bonney Anne Bonney, Bernadette Smith 00:20:25 Anne Bonney, Speaker, and Emcee, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about the immigration service offering Gender X, caregiver benefits at First Watch, autism acceptance, and more! Anne Bonney, Speaker, and Emcee, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about the immigration service offering Gender X, caregiver benefits at First Watch, autism acceptance, and more! first watch, nasa, uscis, autism, lgbtq false full 81 9b8ca2df-7968-42cc-b0e5-e0cbb746e28f Good Trouble with Julie Pham, PhD Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. LGBTQ+ Inclusive Curriculum in Washington
  2. Big ROI on Child Care Benefits
  3. “Hop” Showcases Authentic Disability Representation
  4. Federal Forms to be Updated for Better Representation
  5. Yurok Becomes First Tribal Nation to Co-manage Land

This week's Call to Action:

March 31 is Transgender Day of Visibility. My good friend Rhodes Perry created a checklist on how to show up for your TGX (transgender and gender expansive) colleagues. It’s a great personal and professional resource. 

Read the stores:

https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-good-trouble

Connect with Julie Pham: https://curiositybased.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 2 Apr 2024 12:56:35 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Julie Pham, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/good-trouble-with-julie-pham-phd-voRZTga7 Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. LGBTQ+ Inclusive Curriculum in Washington
  2. Big ROI on Child Care Benefits
  3. “Hop” Showcases Authentic Disability Representation
  4. Federal Forms to be Updated for Better Representation
  5. Yurok Becomes First Tribal Nation to Co-manage Land

This week's Call to Action:

March 31 is Transgender Day of Visibility. My good friend Rhodes Perry created a checklist on how to show up for your TGX (transgender and gender expansive) colleagues. It’s a great personal and professional resource. 

Read the stores:

https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-good-trouble

Connect with Julie Pham: https://curiositybased.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Good Trouble with Julie Pham, PhD Julie Pham, Bernadette Smith 00:20:23 Julie Pham, PhD, the founder and CEO of CuriosityBased, an organizational development firm, and the author of 7 Forms of Respect, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum in Washington state, authentic disability representation in “Hop”, updated federal forms, and much more! Julie Pham, PhD, the founder and CEO of CuriosityBased, an organizational development firm, and the author of 7 Forms of Respect, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum in Washington state, authentic disability representation in “Hop”, updated federal forms, and much more! hop, redwoods, max, yurok, washington state, lgbtq, census false full 80 68d5d35f-f6c2-4468-9646-e75a0a008ed3 Watched with Naeema Arrastia Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Women’s Hockey Continues to Set Records
  2. Malcolm X Gets His Recognition in Nebraska
  3. Four-Day Workweeks in France and Germany
  4. To Increase Diversity, Hire Differently
  5. Stolen Artifacts Returned to Japan

This week's Call to Action:

If you like 5 Things, then check out “5 Ally Actions”, Karen Catlin’s weekly newsletter that’s been around for 6 years! Subscribe here to get “5 everyday actions to create a more inclusive workplace.”

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-watched

Connect with Naeema Arrastia on LinkedIn and visit Red Rabbit. 

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 26 Mar 2024 14:52:10 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Naeema Arrastia, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/watched-with-naeema-arrastia-o6ZLiG4S Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Women’s Hockey Continues to Set Records
  2. Malcolm X Gets His Recognition in Nebraska
  3. Four-Day Workweeks in France and Germany
  4. To Increase Diversity, Hire Differently
  5. Stolen Artifacts Returned to Japan

This week's Call to Action:

If you like 5 Things, then check out “5 Ally Actions”, Karen Catlin’s weekly newsletter that’s been around for 6 years! Subscribe here to get “5 everyday actions to create a more inclusive workplace.”

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-watched

Connect with Naeema Arrastia on LinkedIn and visit Red Rabbit. 

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Watched with Naeema Arrastia Naeema Arrastia, Bernadette Smith 00:21:38 Naeema Arrastia, Chief Business Officer at Red Rabbit, and Irecap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about stolen Japanese artifacts going home, Malcolm X getting his due, Karat’s unique approach to hiring, and more! Naeema Arrastia, Chief Business Officer at Red Rabbit, and Irecap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about stolen Japanese artifacts going home, Malcolm X getting his due, Karat’s unique approach to hiring, and more! malcolm x, japan, women's hockey, karat, four-day workweek false full 79 38a47c7a-4dd1-49d0-a8a0-1b90a348086e Code Switching with Latia Vaughan Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Racial Diversity Leaders to Higher Box Office ROI
  2. Tyson to Hire 42,000 Migrants
  3. Walmart Teaches Compassion
  4. Inclusive Bridal Dresses
  5. It’s OK to Say Gay

This week's Call to Action:

It’s Women’s History Month! Learn about some amazing women by exploring the inductees of the National Women’s Hall of Fame. The 2024 class has its first trans woman, Sandy Stone. 

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-code-switching

Connect with Latia Vaughan: https://www.latiavaughan.com

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 19 Mar 2024 16:02:35 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Latia Vaughan, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/code-switching-latia-vaughan-uSTRYwIw Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Racial Diversity Leaders to Higher Box Office ROI
  2. Tyson to Hire 42,000 Migrants
  3. Walmart Teaches Compassion
  4. Inclusive Bridal Dresses
  5. It’s OK to Say Gay

This week's Call to Action:

It’s Women’s History Month! Learn about some amazing women by exploring the inductees of the National Women’s Hall of Fame. The 2024 class has its first trans woman, Sandy Stone. 

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-code-switching

Connect with Latia Vaughan: https://www.latiavaughan.com

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Code Switching with Latia Vaughan Latia Vaughan, Bernadette Smith 00:24:18 Latia Vaughan, Futurist, CEO, and Founder of The U-Network, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about inclusive bridal dresses, racial diversity at the box office, Walmart’s management training, and more! Latia Vaughan, Futurist, CEO, and Founder of The U-Network, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about inclusive bridal dresses, racial diversity at the box office, Walmart’s management training, and more! walmart, diversity, tyson, va, hollywood, bridal gowns, 5thingsdei false full 78 e8069166-8c67-4e7b-a9f5-e3796a248ae3 Doubling Down with Bryan Samuel Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. The North Face Incentivizes Customers to Learn About Race
  2. Land O’ Lakes Makes Life Easier for Caregivers
  3. Norway's Sovereign Wealth Fund Requires Gender Diversity
  4. Cole Brauer Sails Around the World
  5. The Philadelphia Eagles Partner with Popcorn for The People

This week's Call to Action:

It’s Ramadan! I found this article by Sharanika Akter, A Ramadan Guide for Your Workplace, helpful, and full of great tips for everyone. 

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-doubling-down

Connect with Bryan Samuel and www.findingmyself.org

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 12 Mar 2024 14:51:12 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bryan Samuel, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/doubling-down-with-bryan-samuel-gCizLaqx Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. The North Face Incentivizes Customers to Learn About Race
  2. Land O’ Lakes Makes Life Easier for Caregivers
  3. Norway's Sovereign Wealth Fund Requires Gender Diversity
  4. Cole Brauer Sails Around the World
  5. The Philadelphia Eagles Partner with Popcorn for The People

This week's Call to Action:

It’s Ramadan! I found this article by Sharanika Akter, A Ramadan Guide for Your Workplace, helpful, and full of great tips for everyone. 

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-doubling-down

Connect with Bryan Samuel and www.findingmyself.org

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Doubling Down with Bryan Samuel Bryan Samuel, Bernadette Smith 00:22:12 Bryan Samuel, Vice President for DEI at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. Bryan Samuel, Vice President for DEI at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. gender diversity, cole brauer, philadelphia eagles, the north face, eagles, land o' lakes false full 77 a0abc087-802c-415e-85e1-8a47e787a355 Outside of HR with Lisa Mulligan Here are this week's good vibes:

Walmart Creates a Pipeline for AI Talent

Charlotte Tilbury Promotes Women in Motorsports

New Jersey to Recognize LGBTQ+ Businesses

Unilever Hires People With Disabilities Behind the Camera

Historic Donation to Albert Einstein College of Medicine

This week's Call to Action:

Learn about Nex Benedict, the non-binary teen in Oklahoma who was bullied and beaten by classmates and later died. Oklahoma legislators are currently considering 54 anti-LGBTQ bills. It’s a really tough time to be a young trans person. 

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-outside-of-hr

Connect with Lisa Mulligan: https://www.thecultureministry.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 5 Mar 2024 18:03:22 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Lisa Mulligan, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-outside-of-hr-uslFgjPY Here are this week's good vibes:

Walmart Creates a Pipeline for AI Talent

Charlotte Tilbury Promotes Women in Motorsports

New Jersey to Recognize LGBTQ+ Businesses

Unilever Hires People With Disabilities Behind the Camera

Historic Donation to Albert Einstein College of Medicine

This week's Call to Action:

Learn about Nex Benedict, the non-binary teen in Oklahoma who was bullied and beaten by classmates and later died. Oklahoma legislators are currently considering 54 anti-LGBTQ bills. It’s a really tough time to be a young trans person. 

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-outside-of-hr

Connect with Lisa Mulligan: https://www.thecultureministry.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Outside of HR with Lisa Mulligan Lisa Mulligan, Bernadette Smith 00:19:16 Lisa Mulligan, CEO of the Culture Ministry, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about free medical school tuition, Unilever’s Believe in Talent initiative, women in motorsports, and more! Lisa Mulligan, CEO of the Culture Ministry, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about free medical school tuition, Unilever’s Believe in Talent initiative, women in motorsports, and more! walmart, unilever, albert einstein college of medicine, f1, charlotte tilbury false full 76 ded07a6d-e41c-40fe-aba3-9352a2917f06 Comms with Catharine Montgomery Catharine Montgomery, the founder and CEO of the social-impact-focused communications agency, Better Together and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. 

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Big Bonuses for Delta Employees
  2. Starbucks Re-Designs Store for Inclusion
  3. Breaking Barriers in Whiskey
  4. Churches Teach Black History in Florida
  5. Four-Day Workweek Sticks

This week's Call to Action:

If you have Paramount+ streaming, check out the TV show Bet on Black. It’s like Shark Tank but for Black entrepreneurs. Target is a big sponsor and one of their employees was a judge. The company that makes our client gifts competed in the most recent season…no major spoilers but they did quite well. 

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-comms

Connect with Catharine Montgomery: https://thebettertogether.agency/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 27 Feb 2024 15:28:49 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Catharine Montgomery, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-comms-yFWo_PVC Catharine Montgomery, the founder and CEO of the social-impact-focused communications agency, Better Together and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. 

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Big Bonuses for Delta Employees
  2. Starbucks Re-Designs Store for Inclusion
  3. Breaking Barriers in Whiskey
  4. Churches Teach Black History in Florida
  5. Four-Day Workweek Sticks

This week's Call to Action:

If you have Paramount+ streaming, check out the TV show Bet on Black. It’s like Shark Tank but for Black entrepreneurs. Target is a big sponsor and one of their employees was a judge. The company that makes our client gifts competed in the most recent season…no major spoilers but they did quite well. 

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-comms

Connect with Catharine Montgomery: https://thebettertogether.agency/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Comms with Catharine Montgomery Catharine Montgomery, Bernadette Smith 00:20:59 Catharine Montgomery, the founder and CEO of the social-impact-focused communications agency, Better Together and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Uncle Nearest Whiskey, Starbucks’ new accessible store, Florida’s Black churches, and more! Catharine Montgomery, the founder and CEO of the social-impact-focused communications agency, Better Together and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Uncle Nearest Whiskey, Starbucks’ new accessible store, Florida’s Black churches, and more! big bonuses for delta employees, four-day workweek sticks, churches teach black history in florida, starbucks re-designs store for inclusion, breaking barriers in whiskey false full 75 c0223659-5353-4449-a3c9-c96dc35a473b Lead with Values with Michael Neece This week our conversation is about same-sex marriage and adoption in Greece, lactation pods, employee stock ownership, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

MLB’s First Woman Play-by-Play Announcer

Greece Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage and Adoption

Mamava's Lactation Pods Revolutionize Support for Nursing Parents

Lyft Expands Pilot to Prioritize Safety and Inclusion

RIP Bob Moore

This week's Call to Action:

It’s Lunar New Year, the year of the Dragon! In Chicago, the big parade is today. Learn more about the tradition in this DEI Double Feature with Lisa Ong.

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/flow-state

Connect with Michael Neece: https://www.michaelgneece.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 20 Feb 2024 17:23:33 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Michael Neece, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-lead-with-values-ZCuyidVj This week our conversation is about same-sex marriage and adoption in Greece, lactation pods, employee stock ownership, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

MLB’s First Woman Play-by-Play Announcer

Greece Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage and Adoption

Mamava's Lactation Pods Revolutionize Support for Nursing Parents

Lyft Expands Pilot to Prioritize Safety and Inclusion

RIP Bob Moore

This week's Call to Action:

It’s Lunar New Year, the year of the Dragon! In Chicago, the big parade is today. Learn more about the tradition in this DEI Double Feature with Lisa Ong.

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/flow-state

Connect with Michael Neece: https://www.michaelgneece.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Lead with Values with Michael Neece Michael Neece, Bernadette Smith 00:21:03 Michael Neece, author of “In Kind” and Director of the Gilead Programming Academy, a talent pipeline for diverse, early-career programmers in the pharma space, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. Michael Neece, author of “In Kind” and Director of the Gilead Programming Academy, a talent pipeline for diverse, early-career programmers in the pharma space, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. mamava, same sex marriage, greece, mlb, jenny cavnar, nursing parents, employee stock ownership, same sex adoption, lyft, lgbtq, bob moore false full 74 0daa1dd7-7adb-49d2-8adf-e0104e0bd4cd Fast Car with Brenda Harrington Brenda Harrington, PCC (she/her), founder of Adaptive Leadership Strategies LLC, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI). This week our conversation is about the 49ers Black Excellence Collection, Lyft’s commitment to driver pay, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. 49ERS Launch Black Excellence Collection
  2. Poker Power for Women+
  3. Lyft Takes Care of Its Drivers
  4. m.m.lafleur Dresses Women Candidates
  5. Apple to Achieve Gender Balance on Its Board

This week's Call to Action:

It’s Black History Month! Support small businesses with this list of 21 Businesses Owned by Black Women and Non-Binary Folx. 

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-fast-car

Connect with Brenda Harrington: https://adaptiveleadershipstrategies.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendaharrington

Brenda's book: Access Denied: Addressing Workplace Disparities and Discrimination: https://access-denied.net/

 

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 13 Feb 2024 16:12:24 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Brenda Harrington, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/fast-car-with-brenda-harrington-FXdILKm9 Brenda Harrington, PCC (she/her), founder of Adaptive Leadership Strategies LLC, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI). This week our conversation is about the 49ers Black Excellence Collection, Lyft’s commitment to driver pay, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. 49ERS Launch Black Excellence Collection
  2. Poker Power for Women+
  3. Lyft Takes Care of Its Drivers
  4. m.m.lafleur Dresses Women Candidates
  5. Apple to Achieve Gender Balance on Its Board

This week's Call to Action:

It’s Black History Month! Support small businesses with this list of 21 Businesses Owned by Black Women and Non-Binary Folx. 

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-fast-car

Connect with Brenda Harrington: https://adaptiveleadershipstrategies.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendaharrington

Brenda's book: Access Denied: Addressing Workplace Disparities and Discrimination: https://access-denied.net/

 

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Fast Car with Brenda Harrington Brenda Harrington, Bernadette Smith 00:21:29 Brenda Harrington, founder of Adaptive Leadership Strategies LLC, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI). This week our conversation is about the 49ers Black Excellence Collection, Lyft’s commitment to driver pay, and more! Brenda Harrington, founder of Adaptive Leadership Strategies LLC, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI). This week our conversation is about the 49ers Black Excellence Collection, Lyft’s commitment to driver pay, and more! m.m.lafleur, 49ers, poker, apple, kellogg school, lyft false full 73 c31cdf30-fa1f-4d18-8299-4203a9591b85 Flow State with Andres Sigcha Andres Sigcha, Founder & CEO of Tariy.ai recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about DEI metrics in performance reviews, autism-friendly airports, skills-based hiring, and more! 

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Hitachi adds DEI metrics to performance reviews
  2. JFK and other airports become more autism-friendly
  3. Massachusetts moves to skills-based hiring
  4. Walmart invests in its managers, again
  5. Mark Cuban doubles down on support for DEI

This week's Call to Action:

It’s Black History Month! In the spirit of intersectionality, here’s a list of 12 Black queer books and 21 films to check out.

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/flow-state

Connect with Andres Sigcha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andressigcha and www.Tariy.ai

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 6 Feb 2024 06:00:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith, andres sigcha) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/flow-state-2RvlVnPN Andres Sigcha, Founder & CEO of Tariy.ai recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about DEI metrics in performance reviews, autism-friendly airports, skills-based hiring, and more! 

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Hitachi adds DEI metrics to performance reviews
  2. JFK and other airports become more autism-friendly
  3. Massachusetts moves to skills-based hiring
  4. Walmart invests in its managers, again
  5. Mark Cuban doubles down on support for DEI

This week's Call to Action:

It’s Black History Month! In the spirit of intersectionality, here’s a list of 12 Black queer books and 21 films to check out.

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/flow-state

Connect with Andres Sigcha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andressigcha and www.Tariy.ai

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Flow State with Andres Sigcha Bernadette Smith, andres sigcha 00:21:02 Andres Sigcha, Founder & CEO of Tariy.ai recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about DEI metrics in performance reviews, autism-friendly airports, skills-based hiring, and more! Andres Sigcha, Founder & CEO of Tariy.ai recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about DEI metrics in performance reviews, autism-friendly airports, skills-based hiring, and more! sensory-friendly, dei, walmart, jfk airport, diversity, autism, lgbtq+, hitachi, accessibility, mark cuban false full 72 04a92241-2eff-4b13-9cda-89bbecc92a71 Accountability with Rubén Alejandro Ramírez Rubén Alejandro Ramírez, Group Head Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Syngenta Group and I will recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Apple podcasts becoming more accessible, psychedelics, DEI jobs, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. JPMorgan fully committed to DEI
  2. Billionaire couple gifts $100 million to Spelman College
  3. DEI jobs alive and well
  4. More employers offering psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy
  5. More accessible Apple podcasts

This week's Call to Action:

Ready to do the work? Check out the book Reconstructing DEI: A Practitioner's Workbook by Lily Zheng to get yourself into action!

Read the Stories: https://theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/accountability

Connect with Rubén Alejandro Ramírez:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rubenalejandro/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 30 Jan 2024 15:45:27 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith, Rubén Alejandro Ramírez) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/accountability-o5V7FZN_ Rubén Alejandro Ramírez, Group Head Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Syngenta Group and I will recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Apple podcasts becoming more accessible, psychedelics, DEI jobs, and more!

Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. JPMorgan fully committed to DEI
  2. Billionaire couple gifts $100 million to Spelman College
  3. DEI jobs alive and well
  4. More employers offering psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy
  5. More accessible Apple podcasts

This week's Call to Action:

Ready to do the work? Check out the book Reconstructing DEI: A Practitioner's Workbook by Lily Zheng to get yourself into action!

Read the Stories: https://theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/accountability

Connect with Rubén Alejandro Ramírez:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rubenalejandro/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Accountability with Rubén Alejandro Ramírez Bernadette Smith, Rubén Alejandro Ramírez 00:24:34 Rubén Alejandro Ramírez, Group Head Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Syngenta Group and I will recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Apple podcasts becoming more accessible, psychedelics, DEI jobs, and more! Rubén Alejandro Ramírez, Group Head Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Syngenta Group and I will recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Apple podcasts becoming more accessible, psychedelics, DEI jobs, and more! sensory-friendly, dei, apple, diversity, lgbtq+, accessibility, spelman college, jpmorgan false full 71 a59f6f5a-88fe-4b03-af63-0ddf6a2b020a Compañeros with Jason Benitez Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Walmart to increase pay for store managers
  2. Philadelphia becomes first sensory-inclusive city in the U.S.
  3. Jerod Mayo hired as New England Patriots coach
  4. BIPOC folks win big at Emmy’s
  5. 321 Coffee shows an inclusive business model

This week's Call to Action:

Do you crave Girl Scout cookies but struggle to find them for sale where you live? No worries! Check out this list of scouts who happen to be trans girls and will ship cookies wherever you are! The list was curated by Erin Reed.

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/companeros

Connect with Jason Benitez:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-benitez-64a269b3/ and https://capitalregionchamber.com/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 23 Jan 2024 14:44:32 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith, Jason Benitez) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/companeros-Vk7cE8PJ Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Walmart to increase pay for store managers
  2. Philadelphia becomes first sensory-inclusive city in the U.S.
  3. Jerod Mayo hired as New England Patriots coach
  4. BIPOC folks win big at Emmy’s
  5. 321 Coffee shows an inclusive business model

This week's Call to Action:

Do you crave Girl Scout cookies but struggle to find them for sale where you live? No worries! Check out this list of scouts who happen to be trans girls and will ship cookies wherever you are! The list was curated by Erin Reed.

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/companeros

Connect with Jason Benitez:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-benitez-64a269b3/ and https://capitalregionchamber.com/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Compañeros with Jason Benitez Bernadette Smith, Jason Benitez 00:23:43 Jason Benitez (he/him), Vice President, DEI at the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about sensory inclusive cities, Walmart’s new manager pay, the Emmys and more! Jason Benitez (he/him), Vice President, DEI at the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about sensory inclusive cities, Walmart’s new manager pay, the Emmys and more! sensory-friendly, kulturecity, new england patriots, dei, walmart, diversity, emmys, lgbtq+, nfl false full 70 b9f6d88d-b3df-4c63-9c82-9d9e12fbb938 Finding Joy with Kim Clark Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Aviva CEO to sign-off on all “non-diverse hires”
  2. Irish dancing community shows trans support
  3. Formerly incarcerated people get instant voting access in Michigan
  4. Inclusive customer service at Sephora
  5. Southwest praised for 'customer of size' policy that gives larger passengers priority

This week's call to action: Read this important article in Forbes by Janice Gassam Asare: Claudine Gay Resigns From Harvard: Why Black Excellence Is Never Enough.

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/finding-joy

Connect with Kim Clark: https://www.kimclarkcommunications.com/ and check out her course: https://www.kimclarkcommunications.com/dei-communications-blueprint-with-kim-clark-communications-1

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 9 Jan 2024 16:56:40 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith, Kim Clark) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/finding-joy-KAq_Iw0u Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. Aviva CEO to sign-off on all “non-diverse hires”
  2. Irish dancing community shows trans support
  3. Formerly incarcerated people get instant voting access in Michigan
  4. Inclusive customer service at Sephora
  5. Southwest praised for 'customer of size' policy that gives larger passengers priority

This week's call to action: Read this important article in Forbes by Janice Gassam Asare: Claudine Gay Resigns From Harvard: Why Black Excellence Is Never Enough.

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/finding-joy

Connect with Kim Clark: https://www.kimclarkcommunications.com/ and check out her course: https://www.kimclarkcommunications.com/dei-communications-blueprint-with-kim-clark-communications-1

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Finding Joy with Kim Clark Bernadette Smith, Kim Clark 00:23:51 Kim Clark, DEI Communications Speaker & Consultant and co-author of The Conscious Communicator: The fine art of not saying stupid sh*t and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Irish step dancers, trans inclusion at Sephora, voter rights, and more! Kim Clark, DEI Communications Speaker & Consultant and co-author of The Conscious Communicator: The fine art of not saying stupid sh*t and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Irish step dancers, trans inclusion at Sephora, voter rights, and more! dei, diversity, lgbtq+, aviva, southwest, sephora, transgender false full 69 08155b38-3486-4b10-a614-0b2ae922035d Cat Equity with Carlos Herrera Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. More states strive to make parks, trails accessible
  2. Dove and Open Source Afro Hair Library launch Code My Crown
  3. Companies leading in disability inclusion outperform peers
  4. Companies offer more generous bereavement leave in pandemic’s wake and expand who counts as ‘family’
  5. AI is helping new parents apply for paid leave

This week's call to action: Listen to this interview with Better Allies’ Karen Catlin as she talks about inclusive holiday parties. It’s here on the Visible Voices podcast.

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-cat-equity

Connect with Carlos Herrera: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herreracarlos/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 2 Jan 2024 11:00:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith, Carlos Herrera) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/cat-equity-EGnhpY6d Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. More states strive to make parks, trails accessible
  2. Dove and Open Source Afro Hair Library launch Code My Crown
  3. Companies leading in disability inclusion outperform peers
  4. Companies offer more generous bereavement leave in pandemic’s wake and expand who counts as ‘family’
  5. AI is helping new parents apply for paid leave

This week's call to action: Listen to this interview with Better Allies’ Karen Catlin as she talks about inclusive holiday parties. It’s here on the Visible Voices podcast.

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-cat-equity

Connect with Carlos Herrera: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herreracarlos/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Cat Equity with Carlos Herrera Bernadette Smith, Carlos Herrera 00:19:26 Carlos Herrara, VP of DEI at Ryan Specialty Insurance, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about wheelchair access in the great outdoors, bereavement leave at Johnson & Johnson, Ai for good, and more! Carlos Herrara, VP of DEI at Ryan Specialty Insurance, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about wheelchair access in the great outdoors, bereavement leave at Johnson & Johnson, Ai for good, and more! employee benefits, dei, diversity, ai, accessibility, dove, family leave, johnson&johnson false full 68 46e8a8ef-cc39-4889-a0bd-4ec35c3745bb Measuring Up with LaTonya Wilkins This week's good vibes:

  1. Croquet player becomes first out trans woman to win world championship
  2. Discord Explicitly Bans Misgendering and Deadnaming on Its Platform
  3. Estée Lauder leverages AI and AR to help visually impaired people use cosmetics
  4. 'Barbie' Movie Adds Unique Accessibility Option
  5. Beck’s New Beer for Older Adults

Call to Action:

What is Trauma Intelligence? Check out LaTonya Wilkins' Leading Below the Surface podcast to learn about the intersection of trauma and DEI. 

LaTonya Wilkins' website: https://changecoaches.io

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 19 Dec 2023 23:31:27 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (LaTonya Wilkins, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/measuring-up-with-latonya-wilkins-TtobBSu1 This week's good vibes:

  1. Croquet player becomes first out trans woman to win world championship
  2. Discord Explicitly Bans Misgendering and Deadnaming on Its Platform
  3. Estée Lauder leverages AI and AR to help visually impaired people use cosmetics
  4. 'Barbie' Movie Adds Unique Accessibility Option
  5. Beck’s New Beer for Older Adults

Call to Action:

What is Trauma Intelligence? Check out LaTonya Wilkins' Leading Below the Surface podcast to learn about the intersection of trauma and DEI. 

LaTonya Wilkins' website: https://changecoaches.io

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Measuring Up with LaTonya Wilkins LaTonya Wilkins, Bernadette Smith 00:17:43 This Monday, I'll be joined for 5 Things in 15 Minutes with my friend, LaTonya Wilkins, Founder and CEO of Change Coaches, and author of Leading Below the Surface. This week we’ll chat about beer for older adults, ASL for the Barbie movie, a historic win for trans athletes, and more! This Monday, I'll be joined for 5 Things in 15 Minutes with my friend, LaTonya Wilkins, Founder and CEO of Change Coaches, and author of Leading Below the Surface. This week we’ll chat about beer for older adults, ASL for the Barbie movie, a historic win for trans athletes, and more! false full 67 a4fdbe11-5003-4f46-a36b-b95c7d9e5ae8 Rebroadcast: The Sales Team with John Avila Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. ‘Peppa Pig’ Gets Its First Same-Sex Couple – Two Polar Bear Mommies
  2. A Swimming Cap Made for Black Hair Gets Official Approval After Previous Olympic Ban
  3. The Hubspot Culture Code: “Better to Try and Sometimes Fail Than to Sit Tight...and Fail for Sure.”
  4. U.S. Soccer Players Formally Sign Equal Pay Agreements
  5. If Your Family Makes Less Than $100,000 per Year, Princeton Will Cover All Your Tuition

Learn more about John Avila here: https://www.avilacreativeinc.com/

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-the-sales-team

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 12 Dec 2023 17:14:58 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (John Avila, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-the-sales-team-2d8khw-3-Guyjq2Nr Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. ‘Peppa Pig’ Gets Its First Same-Sex Couple – Two Polar Bear Mommies
  2. A Swimming Cap Made for Black Hair Gets Official Approval After Previous Olympic Ban
  3. The Hubspot Culture Code: “Better to Try and Sometimes Fail Than to Sit Tight...and Fail for Sure.”
  4. U.S. Soccer Players Formally Sign Equal Pay Agreements
  5. If Your Family Makes Less Than $100,000 per Year, Princeton Will Cover All Your Tuition

Learn more about John Avila here: https://www.avilacreativeinc.com/

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-the-sales-team

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Rebroadcast: The Sales Team with John Avila John Avila, Bernadette Smith 00:15:55 John Avila, Principal at Avila Creative, Inc., and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about equal pay for Women and Men's U.S. Soccer, Olympic-approved swimming caps made for black hair, and more! John Avila, Principal at Avila Creative, Inc., and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about equal pay for Women and Men's U.S. Soccer, Olympic-approved swimming caps made for black hair, and more! equal pay, dei, peppa pig, bipoc students, sales team, princeton, swim cap, soccer, hubspot false full 66 9e2037e7-9125-42c4-83c9-090603525199 Follow the ARC with Bill Hendrix Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. NYC Worker Protections Grow With Rare Ban on Weight, Height Bias
  2. Incarcerated students earn degrees in groundbreaking US university program
  3. At Malls Nationwide, Santa Goes Sensory-Friendly
  4. Awards show de-genders category in honor of nonbinary icon Janelle Monáe
  5. Comcast launches live video ASL interpretation at Philadelphia stores

This week's call to action: Watch this TEDx Talk on Uncovering Talent: The Power of Authenticity by Kenji Yoshino, NYU School of Law.

Download the ARC Method: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/arc-method-1

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-follow-the-arc

Connect with Bill Hendrix: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wmhendrix

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 5 Dec 2023 13:50:20 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith, Bill Hendrix) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/follow-the-arc-with-bill-hendrix-Oo3bx5lt Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. NYC Worker Protections Grow With Rare Ban on Weight, Height Bias
  2. Incarcerated students earn degrees in groundbreaking US university program
  3. At Malls Nationwide, Santa Goes Sensory-Friendly
  4. Awards show de-genders category in honor of nonbinary icon Janelle Monáe
  5. Comcast launches live video ASL interpretation at Philadelphia stores

This week's call to action: Watch this TEDx Talk on Uncovering Talent: The Power of Authenticity by Kenji Yoshino, NYU School of Law.

Download the ARC Method: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/arc-method-1

Read the Stories: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-follow-the-arc

Connect with Bill Hendrix: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wmhendrix

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Follow the ARC with Bill Hendrix Bernadette Smith, Bill Hendrix 00:19:22 Bill Hendrix, VP, Technology (retired), Valent USA LLC, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about accessibility at Comcast, gender-neutral awards categories, weight discrimination protection, and more! Bill Hendrix, VP, Technology (retired), Valent USA LLC, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about accessibility at Comcast, gender-neutral awards categories, weight discrimination protection, and more! dei, comcast, northwestern, diversity, santa, janelle monae, neurodiversity, at&t false full 65 35ed005f-22f9-483a-9b59-6b16f675a679 Rebroadcast: The DEI PSA with Toby Mildon When I’m prepping for a keynote, I love to spend time talking to the client about their DEI goals and current state. Between all these conversations, research for 5 Things, and research for my book, Inclusive 360, I think I figured out the winning formula for meaningful DEI progress: Purpose + Strategy + Accountability (PSA). 

It sounds simple but we all know it’s not easy. Let me break it down:

  • Purpose must be a people-first message that employees can rally around. Leaders should also share their own individual purposes.
  • Strategy must be holistic and organization-wide, not simply workshops and coaching, not simply hiring more underrepresented talent.
  • Accountability must be for all managers, or everyone, if you'd like, where engagement in or progress on DEI goals is a part of performance reviews.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. LinkedIn Adds New Accessibility Features, Including Auto-Captions on Videos
  2. Software Helps Employers Fix Problematic Feedback Language Before It’s Delivered
  3. ‘The Whole Country Shines With a Huge Rainbow’: Same-Sex Marriage Legal in All Mexican States
  4. Diwali Will Be a Public School Holiday in New York City Starting in 2023
  5. Disney Expands Costume Options For Children With Disabilities

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-the-dei-psa

To learn more about Toby and his company, Mildon - visit: https://www.mildon.co.uk/

This episode originally aired October 31, 2022

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 28 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Toby Mildon, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-the-dei-psa2-BdznSPDO When I’m prepping for a keynote, I love to spend time talking to the client about their DEI goals and current state. Between all these conversations, research for 5 Things, and research for my book, Inclusive 360, I think I figured out the winning formula for meaningful DEI progress: Purpose + Strategy + Accountability (PSA). 

It sounds simple but we all know it’s not easy. Let me break it down:

  • Purpose must be a people-first message that employees can rally around. Leaders should also share their own individual purposes.
  • Strategy must be holistic and organization-wide, not simply workshops and coaching, not simply hiring more underrepresented talent.
  • Accountability must be for all managers, or everyone, if you'd like, where engagement in or progress on DEI goals is a part of performance reviews.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. LinkedIn Adds New Accessibility Features, Including Auto-Captions on Videos
  2. Software Helps Employers Fix Problematic Feedback Language Before It’s Delivered
  3. ‘The Whole Country Shines With a Huge Rainbow’: Same-Sex Marriage Legal in All Mexican States
  4. Diwali Will Be a Public School Holiday in New York City Starting in 2023
  5. Disney Expands Costume Options For Children With Disabilities

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-the-dei-psa

To learn more about Toby and his company, Mildon - visit: https://www.mildon.co.uk/

This episode originally aired October 31, 2022

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Rebroadcast: The DEI PSA with Toby Mildon Toby Mildon, Bernadette Smith 00:17:19 Toby Mildon, Diversity & Inclusion Architect and Founder of Mildon, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Same-sex marriage becoming legal in all Mexican States, Disney's costume expansion for children with disabilities, and more! Toby Mildon, Diversity & Inclusion Architect and Founder of Mildon, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Same-sex marriage becoming legal in all Mexican States, Disney's costume expansion for children with disabilities, and more! diwali, dei, disney, marriage equality, same sex marriage, linkedin, textio, accessibility features false full 64 909aa8ae-33cc-477a-a108-abd9b3b541c6 Rebroadcast: No Matter Why with Gearah Goldstein If you’re a long-time reader of 5 Things, you may have noticed that it doesn’t matter to me why an organization decides to “do the right thing” – to embed equity and inclusion into its systems as a way to accelerate the promises of diversity. 

I don’t care whether an organization is working on DEI initiatives because everyone else is because they see the promises of higher revenue because they want to reduce turnover, because they don’t want to be left in the dust, or because it’s just the right thing to do. I don’t care why Hard Rock is paying $100 million in wage hikes (as you’ll read below). I care about the long-term benefits.

Don’t get me wrong: having an inspirational and aligned purpose will only help organizations get there faster (if they effectively rally employees around that purpose) – but if it’s just about making more money, that’s fine, too. Real change, the systems and policy change that I write about every week here, that I wrote about in my awesome book Inclusive 360, is replicable, scalable, and sustainable. 

In my conversations with clients, I will keep making the business case because – whatever works.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Patagonia’s Founder Transfers Ownership Into Two Entities to Help Fight the Climate Crisis
  2. Runners for the First Time Had the Option to Select Nonbinary, Male, or Female in Response to the Gender Question for their Boston Marathon Registration
  3. Doordash Invests in Employee Resource Groups by Compensating Leaders
  4. Casino Company Hard Rock to Spend $100 Million to Raise Employees’ Wages
  5. This Year Marks the First Ever South Asian New York Fashion Week (SANYFW)

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-no-matter-why

To learn more about Gearah Goldstein and The GenderCool Project, visit: https://gendercool.org/

This episode originally aired on September 19, 2022

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 21 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Gearah Goldstein, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-no-matter-why-2-DF8wBNzo If you’re a long-time reader of 5 Things, you may have noticed that it doesn’t matter to me why an organization decides to “do the right thing” – to embed equity and inclusion into its systems as a way to accelerate the promises of diversity. 

I don’t care whether an organization is working on DEI initiatives because everyone else is because they see the promises of higher revenue because they want to reduce turnover, because they don’t want to be left in the dust, or because it’s just the right thing to do. I don’t care why Hard Rock is paying $100 million in wage hikes (as you’ll read below). I care about the long-term benefits.

Don’t get me wrong: having an inspirational and aligned purpose will only help organizations get there faster (if they effectively rally employees around that purpose) – but if it’s just about making more money, that’s fine, too. Real change, the systems and policy change that I write about every week here, that I wrote about in my awesome book Inclusive 360, is replicable, scalable, and sustainable. 

In my conversations with clients, I will keep making the business case because – whatever works.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Patagonia’s Founder Transfers Ownership Into Two Entities to Help Fight the Climate Crisis
  2. Runners for the First Time Had the Option to Select Nonbinary, Male, or Female in Response to the Gender Question for their Boston Marathon Registration
  3. Doordash Invests in Employee Resource Groups by Compensating Leaders
  4. Casino Company Hard Rock to Spend $100 Million to Raise Employees’ Wages
  5. This Year Marks the First Ever South Asian New York Fashion Week (SANYFW)

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-no-matter-why

To learn more about Gearah Goldstein and The GenderCool Project, visit: https://gendercool.org/

This episode originally aired on September 19, 2022

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Rebroadcast: No Matter Why with Gearah Goldstein Gearah Goldstein, Bernadette Smith 00:24:43 ReBroadcast: Gearah Goldstein 🏳️‍🌈, Founder of The GenderCool Project, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about non-binary marathon runners, employee wages, and more! ReBroadcast: Gearah Goldstein 🏳️‍🌈, Founder of The GenderCool Project, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about non-binary marathon runners, employee wages, and more! south asian new york fashion week, hard rock casino, dei, climate crisis, patagonia, doordash, gendercool project, non-binary, boston marathon false full 63 a99f50a0-d3e9-4d3b-a9b3-bd2a0f18d7b8 Ratios with Kelly Ann Winget Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. AT&T offers paid caregiver leave
  2. Every employee at Microsoft sets DEI goals
  3. Walmart’s set sensory hours each day
  4. Common App makes it easier to go to college
  5. NYC Marathon gets lactating-parent friendly

This week's call to action:

This past Sunday was the main celebration in Diwali, the festival of lights celebrating the Indian New Year. Learn about Diwali and how to acknowledge/recognize it with this LinkedIn post from our good friends at Seva Global.

Connect with Kelly Ann Winget:

  • https://www.kellyannwinget.com/
    https://www.alternativewealthpartners.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 14 Nov 2023 17:00:55 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (kelly ann winget, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/ratios-with-kelly-ann-winget-gTNzang2 Here are this week's good vibes:

  1. AT&T offers paid caregiver leave
  2. Every employee at Microsoft sets DEI goals
  3. Walmart’s set sensory hours each day
  4. Common App makes it easier to go to college
  5. NYC Marathon gets lactating-parent friendly

This week's call to action:

This past Sunday was the main celebration in Diwali, the festival of lights celebrating the Indian New Year. Learn about Diwali and how to acknowledge/recognize it with this LinkedIn post from our good friends at Seva Global.

Connect with Kelly Ann Winget:

  • https://www.kellyannwinget.com/
    https://www.alternativewealthpartners.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Ratios with Kelly Ann Winget kelly ann winget, Bernadette Smith 00:21:54 Kelly Ann Winget, CEO and founder of Alternative Wealth Partners, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about accountability at Microsoft, caregiver benefits at AT&T, expanded college access, and more! Kelly Ann Winget, CEO and founder of Alternative Wealth Partners, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about accountability at Microsoft, caregiver benefits at AT&T, expanded college access, and more! microsoft, equity, dei, walmart, and inclusion, diversity, college admissions, neurodiversity, at&t, new parents, nyc marathon false full 62 7c2c34d9-ea21-4e6c-8487-54e4e7a1bfcf Ouch Moments with Kelvin Goss Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. Achieving Gender Parity in M.B.A. Programs
  2. Inclusivity Revamp by the American Ornithological Society
  3. NFL's Inclusive Fan Gear Initiative
  4. Sony's Accessible Gaming Controller Launch
  5. Breaking Barriers: Admiral Lisa Franchetti's Historic Achievement

Call to Action: In observation of Native American Heritage Month, this is an ideal moment to explore the ancestral histories of the land where you live. For instance, here in Chicago, I am privileged to live on the traditional homelands of multiple tribal nations, including the Kickapoo, Peoria, Kaskaskia, Potawatomi, Myaamia, and Ochethi Sakowin. You can look up the indigenous heritage of your area and then learn more about the specific tribal nation here.

Connect with Kelvin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelvin-goss/

Read the full blog for this episode at TheEqualityInstitute.com

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Wed, 8 Nov 2023 19:10:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Kelvin Goss, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/ouch-moments-with-kelvin-goss-GqaMahiJ Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. Achieving Gender Parity in M.B.A. Programs
  2. Inclusivity Revamp by the American Ornithological Society
  3. NFL's Inclusive Fan Gear Initiative
  4. Sony's Accessible Gaming Controller Launch
  5. Breaking Barriers: Admiral Lisa Franchetti's Historic Achievement

Call to Action: In observation of Native American Heritage Month, this is an ideal moment to explore the ancestral histories of the land where you live. For instance, here in Chicago, I am privileged to live on the traditional homelands of multiple tribal nations, including the Kickapoo, Peoria, Kaskaskia, Potawatomi, Myaamia, and Ochethi Sakowin. You can look up the indigenous heritage of your area and then learn more about the specific tribal nation here.

Connect with Kelvin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelvin-goss/

Read the full blog for this episode at TheEqualityInstitute.com

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Ouch Moments with Kelvin Goss Kelvin Goss, Bernadette Smith 00:21:40 Kelvin Goss, SHRM National Speaker-DEI in Action -inventor of the “ You Played The Race Card - Inclusion & Belonging Game, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Achieving Gender Parity in M.B.A. Programs, the NFL's Inclusive Fan Gear Initiative, and more! Kelvin Goss, SHRM National Speaker-DEI in Action -inventor of the “ You Played The Race Card - Inclusion & Belonging Game, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Achieving Gender Parity in M.B.A. Programs, the NFL's Inclusive Fan Gear Initiative, and more! lisa franchetti, dei, gender parity, navy, sony, accessibility, kelvin goss, nfl false full 61 a166d039-1a1f-436b-bc28-f286dcf48b23 Connection Matters with Michelle Silverthorn Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. Walmart's Nationwide Doula Coverage to Tackle Healthcare Disparities
  2. California Enacts Groundbreaking Law for Diversity in Venture Capital
  3. Charlottesville's Robert E. Lee Statue Transformed into Unity Art Piece
  4. Che Flores: Breaking Barriers as the NBA's First Nonbinary Referee
  5. Morgan's Wonderland: A $6 Million Investment in Accessibility and Joy

Call to Action: Read Levi Baer’s tips for “the subtle art of checking in” with the people on your team.

Connect with Michelle and sign up here for her newsletter: https://www.michellesilverthorn.com/monday-mornings-with-michelle

Read the full blog for this episode at TheEqualityInstitute.com

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 31 Oct 2023 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Michelle Silverthorn, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/connection-matters-with-michelle-silverthorn-sWvlBzmB Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. Walmart's Nationwide Doula Coverage to Tackle Healthcare Disparities
  2. California Enacts Groundbreaking Law for Diversity in Venture Capital
  3. Charlottesville's Robert E. Lee Statue Transformed into Unity Art Piece
  4. Che Flores: Breaking Barriers as the NBA's First Nonbinary Referee
  5. Morgan's Wonderland: A $6 Million Investment in Accessibility and Joy

Call to Action: Read Levi Baer’s tips for “the subtle art of checking in” with the people on your team.

Connect with Michelle and sign up here for her newsletter: https://www.michellesilverthorn.com/monday-mornings-with-michelle

Read the full blog for this episode at TheEqualityInstitute.com

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Connection Matters with Michelle Silverthorn Michelle Silverthorn, Bernadette Smith 00:19:11 Michelle Silverthorn, Founder & CEO of Inclusion Nation, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about California's new law for Diversity in venture capital, the NBA's first nonbinary referee, and more! Michelle Silverthorn, Founder & CEO of Inclusion Nation, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about California's new law for Diversity in venture capital, the NBA's first nonbinary referee, and more! morgan's wonderland, nba, walmart, che flores, california, doula coverage, accessibility, diversity in venture capital, healthcare disparities, robert e. lee statue, bipoc false full 60 bc213e18-a4d9-4201-9f33-93893ef072ee Sponsors with Dina Proto This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. Revised Blood Donation Policies for Gay and Bisexual Men in the US: A Step Forward
  2. Room & Board's Innovative Approach: An Indoor Pickleball Court Promoting Fun and Productivity
  3. Historic Inclusion: Two Transgender Women Compete in the 2023 Miss Universe Pageant
  4. The Power of E-Learning in the Workplace: Driving Diversity and Inclusion
  5. Google's Enhanced Accessibility Features Are Empowering Users with Disabilities

Call to Action:

If you find yourself continually advocating for inclusion and belonging, I recommend reading "10 Reasons Why Inclusion Is a Competitive Advantage" in the Harvard Business Review (please note that you may need to pay for access). This article provides valuable tips and sound bites that can help you drive DEI initiatives.

Connect with Dina at https://equalityhealthcareconsulting.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 24 Oct 2023 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Dina Proto, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/sponsors-with-dina-proto-OWp2FcmK This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. Revised Blood Donation Policies for Gay and Bisexual Men in the US: A Step Forward
  2. Room & Board's Innovative Approach: An Indoor Pickleball Court Promoting Fun and Productivity
  3. Historic Inclusion: Two Transgender Women Compete in the 2023 Miss Universe Pageant
  4. The Power of E-Learning in the Workplace: Driving Diversity and Inclusion
  5. Google's Enhanced Accessibility Features Are Empowering Users with Disabilities

Call to Action:

If you find yourself continually advocating for inclusion and belonging, I recommend reading "10 Reasons Why Inclusion Is a Competitive Advantage" in the Harvard Business Review (please note that you may need to pay for access). This article provides valuable tips and sound bites that can help you drive DEI initiatives.

Connect with Dina at https://equalityhealthcareconsulting.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Sponsors with Dina Proto Dina Proto, Bernadette Smith 00:22:04 Dina Proto, CEO of Equality Healthcare Consulting, and I will recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about trans women competing in Miss Universe, indoor pickleball at Room & Board, and more! Dina Proto, CEO of Equality Healthcare Consulting, and I will recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about trans women competing in Miss Universe, indoor pickleball at Room & Board, and more! fda, diversity and inclusion, blood donation policies, miss universe, productivity, dei, e-learning, room & board, enhanced accessibility features, linkedin, red cross, transgender women compete in the 2023 miss universe pageant, blood donation policies for gay and bisexual men in the us, pickleball, disabilities false full 59 1e88036b-2f2b-4042-9c3f-4472ab3c51a0 Building Trust with Tom Geraghty Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. Selma Blair and Isaac Mizrahi Debut Accessible Fashion Collection: 'A Real Dream Come True'
  2. Job Market Transparency Soars: 50% of Indeed Postings Now Include Salary Info, a 25% Increase from 2020
  3. Mauritius Decriminalizes Gay Sex in Historic Ruling
  4. Dictionary.com's Inclusive Language Evolution: Embracing Diversity and Gender-Neutrality
  5. Levi Strauss Champions Mental Health in the Workplace: A Progressive Approach to Employee Well-being

This Week’s Call to Action:

Check out Bo Young Lee's insightful LinkedIn post titled "Using DEI Tools to Support Your Employees in Navigating Current Events." Bo's concise and well-structured framework can be effortlessly applied to enhance your approach.

Connect with Tom on Linkedin or by visiting: psychsafety.co.uk

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 17 Oct 2023 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Tom Geraghty, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/building-trust-with-tom-geraghty-gZ9cKPD_ Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. Selma Blair and Isaac Mizrahi Debut Accessible Fashion Collection: 'A Real Dream Come True'
  2. Job Market Transparency Soars: 50% of Indeed Postings Now Include Salary Info, a 25% Increase from 2020
  3. Mauritius Decriminalizes Gay Sex in Historic Ruling
  4. Dictionary.com's Inclusive Language Evolution: Embracing Diversity and Gender-Neutrality
  5. Levi Strauss Champions Mental Health in the Workplace: A Progressive Approach to Employee Well-being

This Week’s Call to Action:

Check out Bo Young Lee's insightful LinkedIn post titled "Using DEI Tools to Support Your Employees in Navigating Current Events." Bo's concise and well-structured framework can be effortlessly applied to enhance your approach.

Connect with Tom on Linkedin or by visiting: psychsafety.co.uk

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Building Trust with Tom Geraghty Tom Geraghty, Bernadette Smith 00:20:25 Tom Geraghty, Expert in Psychological Safety, Public Speaking, and Leadership, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about mental health in the workplace, dictionary.com's inclusive language, and more! Tom Geraghty, Expert in Psychological Safety, Public Speaking, and Leadership, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about mental health in the workplace, dictionary.com's inclusive language, and more! selma blair, dei, mental health, levi strauss, mental health in the workplace, diversity, employee well-being, indeed, mauritius, inclusive language, dictionary.com, isaac mizrahi, lgbtqia+, salary transparency, gender-neutrality false full 58 c2e1050b-3e56-4dfe-9c3f-49a116b15e9e Authenticity with Charlene Wheeless This Week’s Good Vibes:

  • Walmart Scraps Degree Requirements for Some Corporate Jobs
  • Lincoln Park Zoo Announces First-Ever Zoo-Based Memory Enrichment Program
  • Laphonza Butler Sworn in as California’s Newest Senator and First Openly Black Lesbian to Join Congress
  • United Airlines Looks To Improve Travel For Those With Disabilities
  • Some Minnesota Hospitals Now Offer Culturally Appropriate Hair- And Skin-Care Products

Call to Action:

Subscribe to the Fortune raceAhead newsletter. It’s one of my sources of inspiration and news for 5 Things. Definitely a worthy read.

Connect with Charlene on Linkedin or by visiting her website https://charlenewheeless.com/

Read the full blog on the Equality Institute website.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 10 Oct 2023 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Charlene Wheeless, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/authenticity-with-charlene-wheeless-Xs0yARir This Week’s Good Vibes:

  • Walmart Scraps Degree Requirements for Some Corporate Jobs
  • Lincoln Park Zoo Announces First-Ever Zoo-Based Memory Enrichment Program
  • Laphonza Butler Sworn in as California’s Newest Senator and First Openly Black Lesbian to Join Congress
  • United Airlines Looks To Improve Travel For Those With Disabilities
  • Some Minnesota Hospitals Now Offer Culturally Appropriate Hair- And Skin-Care Products

Call to Action:

Subscribe to the Fortune raceAhead newsletter. It’s one of my sources of inspiration and news for 5 Things. Definitely a worthy read.

Connect with Charlene on Linkedin or by visiting her website https://charlenewheeless.com/

Read the full blog on the Equality Institute website.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Authenticity with Charlene Wheeless Charlene Wheeless, Bernadette Smith 00:19:29 My good friend Charlene Wheeless, MA, MBA, ACC, Keynote Speaker and Leadership Coach, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Congress' first openly black lesbian, Walmart removing degree requirements, and more! My good friend Charlene Wheeless, MA, MBA, ACC, Keynote Speaker and Leadership Coach, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Congress' first openly black lesbian, Walmart removing degree requirements, and more! walmart, senate, congress, culturally appropriate hair- and skin-care products, authenticity, lincoln park zoo, wheelchair accessibility, degree requirements, zoo-based memory enrichment program, laphonza butler, united airlines false full 57 a7e2073e-939b-47c5-8d0d-d7abf6248a7e Hard Choices with Christian Harris This Week’s Good Vibes:

  1. TD Bank Offering Doula Reimbursement Benefit
  2. Virgin Voyages Brings Fun Accessibility
  3. New York Adds Lunar New Year as Public School Holiday
  4. Haley Van Voorhis Becomes First Woman Non-kicker to Play in NCAA Football Game
  5. New California Law Raises Minimum Wage for Fast Food Workers to $20 per Hour, Among Nation’s Highest

Connect with Christian on Linkedin or by visiting www.kindredkeynotesandcoaching.com

Read this week's full 5 Things blog here.

This Week's Call to Action: Trying to keep up with the evolving language? We’re halfway through Latino Heritage Month – but is that the right term to use? Here’s a good primer…I personally use Latine’. 

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 3 Oct 2023 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Christian Harris, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/hard-choices-with-christian-harris-MAUa1B55 This Week’s Good Vibes:

  1. TD Bank Offering Doula Reimbursement Benefit
  2. Virgin Voyages Brings Fun Accessibility
  3. New York Adds Lunar New Year as Public School Holiday
  4. Haley Van Voorhis Becomes First Woman Non-kicker to Play in NCAA Football Game
  5. New California Law Raises Minimum Wage for Fast Food Workers to $20 per Hour, Among Nation’s Highest

Connect with Christian on Linkedin or by visiting www.kindredkeynotesandcoaching.com

Read this week's full 5 Things blog here.

This Week's Call to Action: Trying to keep up with the evolving language? We’re halfway through Latino Heritage Month – but is that the right term to use? Here’s a good primer…I personally use Latine’. 

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Hard Choices with Christian Harris Christian Harris, Bernadette Smith 00:20:05 Christian Harris, Founder of Kindred Keynotes, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about California's minimum wage for fast food workers, TD Bank offering Doula benefits, and more! Christian Harris, Founder of Kindred Keynotes, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about California's minimum wage for fast food workers, TD Bank offering Doula benefits, and more! haley van voorhis, minimum wage, virgin voyages, california minimum wage, doula reimbursement benefit, lunar new year, lunar new year as public school holiday, td bank, ncaa football false full 56 950ea0bb-a27a-4a4e-a91a-3000315e2fb6 Who Asks Who with Rhodes Perry Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. City of Boston Announces Gender Equity Updates to Marriage Licenses
  2. Bank of America to Raise Minimum Wage to $23 an Hour in October
  3. Netflix, Bollywood, and India’s Biggest Companies Take a Stand for LGBTQ Inclusion
  4. Empowering Black-Owned Businesses: Wayfair's Supplier Diversity Initiative
  5. Lyric Opera’s Soundshirt — A New Way Deaf, Hearing-Impaired Patrons Can Experience Music

Call to Action:

Tune in to Diversity: Beyond The Checkbox hosted by Jackie Ferguson. Explore a world of diverse insights and perspectives shared by influential figures in the realms of business, executive education, and diversity & inclusion on this compelling podcast. Subscribe and listen on all major podcast platforms.

Read the full blog here: theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-who-asks-who

Make sure to connect with Rhodes Perry on Linkedin.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 26 Sep 2023 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Rhodes Perry, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/who-asks-who-with-rhodes-perry-s8exPWOp Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. City of Boston Announces Gender Equity Updates to Marriage Licenses
  2. Bank of America to Raise Minimum Wage to $23 an Hour in October
  3. Netflix, Bollywood, and India’s Biggest Companies Take a Stand for LGBTQ Inclusion
  4. Empowering Black-Owned Businesses: Wayfair's Supplier Diversity Initiative
  5. Lyric Opera’s Soundshirt — A New Way Deaf, Hearing-Impaired Patrons Can Experience Music

Call to Action:

Tune in to Diversity: Beyond The Checkbox hosted by Jackie Ferguson. Explore a world of diverse insights and perspectives shared by influential figures in the realms of business, executive education, and diversity & inclusion on this compelling podcast. Subscribe and listen on all major podcast platforms.

Read the full blog here: theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-who-asks-who

Make sure to connect with Rhodes Perry on Linkedin.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Who Asks Who with Rhodes Perry Rhodes Perry, Bernadette Smith 00:22:16 Rhodes Perry, Founder + CEO of Rhodes Perry Consulting, and I will the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Indian companies actively supporting LGBTQ+ employees and customers, Wayfair's diversity initiative, and more! Rhodes Perry, Founder + CEO of Rhodes Perry Consulting, and I will the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Indian companies actively supporting LGBTQ+ employees and customers, Wayfair's diversity initiative, and more! bank of america, chicago lyric opera, minimum wage, netflix, soundshirt, lgbtq inclusion, front-line workers, bollywood, black-owned businesses, wayfair's supplier diversity initiative, gender equity false full 55 b07dc1e3-f52f-42d6-b618-3ca059d78917 Stay Relevant with Jackie Ferguson This Week’s Good Vibes:

  1. Some U.S. Airports Strive to Make Flying More Inclusive for Those With Dementia
  2. Meet The Entrepreneur With A Plan To Create One Million Black-Owned Businesses By 2030
  3. Lyft Launches Women+ Connect
  4. Smucker’s New Hybrid Work Model
  5. Pinterest’s New Algorithms Want You to See Every Body Type

Call to Action:

A month full of Jewish holidays is upon us. Here are some inclusion tips from our friends at Seva Global. Shanah Tovah, to those who celebrate.

Learn more about Jackie at thediversitymovement.com

Read the full blog on the Equality Institute website.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 19 Sep 2023 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Jackie Ferguson, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/stay-relevant-with-jackie-ferguson-YpftkCvb This Week’s Good Vibes:

  1. Some U.S. Airports Strive to Make Flying More Inclusive for Those With Dementia
  2. Meet The Entrepreneur With A Plan To Create One Million Black-Owned Businesses By 2030
  3. Lyft Launches Women+ Connect
  4. Smucker’s New Hybrid Work Model
  5. Pinterest’s New Algorithms Want You to See Every Body Type

Call to Action:

A month full of Jewish holidays is upon us. Here are some inclusion tips from our friends at Seva Global. Shanah Tovah, to those who celebrate.

Learn more about Jackie at thediversitymovement.com

Read the full blog on the Equality Institute website.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Stay Relevant with Jackie Ferguson Jackie Ferguson, Bernadette Smith 00:24:43 Jackie Ferguson, CDE®, co-founder and VP of Content & Marketing at The Diversity Movement, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Lyft's Women+ Connect, Pinterest’s new size-positive AI algorithms, and more! Jackie Ferguson, CDE®, co-founder and VP of Content & Marketing at The Diversity Movement, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Lyft's Women+ Connect, Pinterest’s new size-positive AI algorithms, and more! dementia, pinterest, hybrid work model, hostess, black-owned businesses, lyft, smucker, women+ connect false full 54 9dec5c2d-7f0c-4092-b997-bd6aa7e61d4c Evolving Roles with Karen Wilkins-Mickey Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. Lego Is Launching Its Braille Bricks in English and French for the General Public
  2. Nebraska Cornhuskers Volleyball Breaks Women’s Sports World Attendance Record
  3. Texas Waves Goodbye to Sales Tax on Menstrual and Gender-Based Products
  4. Retailers Help Generate $14 Billion for Black-Owned Companies
  5. Lumen Field Was Awarded KultureCity’s Sports Venue of the Year Award 2023

Call to Action:

Have you checked out Living Corporate? It's a Black-owned digital media network that centers and amplifies Black and brown folks at work. Check it out for some great podcasts and articles. 

Connect with Karen Wilkins-Mickey on Linkedin.

Read the full blog on our website.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 12 Sep 2023 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Karen Wilkins-Mickey, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/evolving-roles-with-karen-wilkins-mickey-CrjkDNUv Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. Lego Is Launching Its Braille Bricks in English and French for the General Public
  2. Nebraska Cornhuskers Volleyball Breaks Women’s Sports World Attendance Record
  3. Texas Waves Goodbye to Sales Tax on Menstrual and Gender-Based Products
  4. Retailers Help Generate $14 Billion for Black-Owned Companies
  5. Lumen Field Was Awarded KultureCity’s Sports Venue of the Year Award 2023

Call to Action:

Have you checked out Living Corporate? It's a Black-owned digital media network that centers and amplifies Black and brown folks at work. Check it out for some great podcasts and articles. 

Connect with Karen Wilkins-Mickey on Linkedin.

Read the full blog on our website.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Evolving Roles with Karen Wilkins-Mickey Karen Wilkins-Mickey, Bernadette Smith 00:20:04 Karen Wilkins-Mickey (She/Her), VP of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Seattle Seahawks, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Lego Braille Bricks, retailers driving revenue for Black-owned businesses, and more! Karen Wilkins-Mickey (She/Her), VP of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Seattle Seahawks, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Lego Braille Bricks, retailers driving revenue for Black-owned businesses, and more! braille bricks, lego, seattle seahawks, pink tax, nebraska cornhuskers, texas, black-owned companies, vollyball, lumen field, kultercity, black-owned false full 53 35358745-12ff-48cc-a737-d4661428db54 Least Interesting with Jennifer Brown Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. The Trans Handy Ma’am
  2. Inclusive Tours at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection
  3. Hiring Refugees Is Good for People, Good for Business, Says Stickley CEO
  4. Companies Offering To Pay For Abortion Travel See Uptick In Recruitment
  5. Popcorn Stand at Lincoln Financial Field to Be Staffed by People With Autism

Learn more about Jennifer at jenniferbrownconsulting.com

Read the full blog for Least Interesting at theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 29 Aug 2023 17:38:03 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Jennifer Brown, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/least-interesting-with-jennifer-brown-fsleEBNF Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. The Trans Handy Ma’am
  2. Inclusive Tours at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection
  3. Hiring Refugees Is Good for People, Good for Business, Says Stickley CEO
  4. Companies Offering To Pay For Abortion Travel See Uptick In Recruitment
  5. Popcorn Stand at Lincoln Financial Field to Be Staffed by People With Autism

Learn more about Jennifer at jenniferbrownconsulting.com

Read the full blog for Least Interesting at theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Least Interesting with Jennifer Brown Jennifer Brown, Bernadette Smith 00:25:27 Jennifer Brown Consulting, Keynote Speaker, and Best-Selling Author of How to be an Inclusive Leader, and I will recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about company benefits for abortion travel, hiring refugees is good for businesses, and more! Jennifer Brown Consulting, Keynote Speaker, and Best-Selling Author of How to be an Inclusive Leader, and I will recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about company benefits for abortion travel, hiring refugees is good for businesses, and more! popcorn stand at lincoln financial field, mercury stardust, dei, abortion travel, trans handy ma’am, autism, stickley furniture, 5thingsdei.com, refugees, the peggy guggenheim collection false full 52 7af7576e-a826-4530-8b61-f414ac8fa925 The Paradox with Karen Catlin Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. 1st Stadium Built for Professional Women’s Sports Team Going Up in Kansas City
  2. “Illustrate Change,” an Initiative to Drive Greater Diversity in Medical Imagery
  3. Amazon Expands Fertility Benefit to Workers in 50 Countries
  4. A Musical Centering on a Group of Young Adults With Autism Is Heading to Broadway This Fall

Call to Action:

Connect with Toby Mildon on LinkedIn for insightful and intelligent posts, particularly on the subject of accessibility. I find his content enriching and always look forward to learning from him.

Read the full blog here.

Connect with Karen on LinkedIn.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 22 Aug 2023 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Karen Catlin, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/the-paradox-with-karen-catlin-dm7gjyGi Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. 1st Stadium Built for Professional Women’s Sports Team Going Up in Kansas City
  2. “Illustrate Change,” an Initiative to Drive Greater Diversity in Medical Imagery
  3. Amazon Expands Fertility Benefit to Workers in 50 Countries
  4. A Musical Centering on a Group of Young Adults With Autism Is Heading to Broadway This Fall

Call to Action:

Connect with Toby Mildon on LinkedIn for insightful and intelligent posts, particularly on the subject of accessibility. I find his content enriching and always look forward to learning from him.

Read the full blog here.

Connect with Karen on LinkedIn.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> The Paradox with Karen Catlin Karen Catlin, Bernadette Smith 00:22:25 Karen Catlin, Author of "Better Allies" and "Belonging in Healthcare", and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about young adults with Autism heading to Broadway, greater diversity in medical imagery, and more! Karen Catlin, Author of "Better Allies" and "Belonging in Healthcare", and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about young adults with Autism heading to Broadway, greater diversity in medical imagery, and more! national women's soccer league, dei, health insurance, illustrate change, amazon, autism, fertility benefit, broadway, kansas city, medical imagery false full 51 87293cc4-3ea4-4471-8d53-5b2e1c6b57bc Another Perspective with Dr. Paul David Spradley Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. 46 Million Americans Struggle With Substance-Use Disorder and Hypertherm Associates Is Paving the Way for “Recover-Friendly Workplaces”
  2. UPS Workers Reach a Tentative Contract Deal With Management Days Ahead of Strike Deadline
  3. Tech Company CHANI Is Proving Why Caring for Your Employees Pays Off
  4. Swift Stunned the Eras Tour’s Trucking Staff by Giving Each Trucker a Check in the Amount of $100,000
  5. Wisconsin’s First Universally Accessible Park Breaks Ground in Wauwatosa

Call to Action:

Minette Norman’s book The Boldly Inclusive Leader, is here! You can order it for release on August 8 right here. Minette was a delightful 5 Things in 15 Minutes guest earlier this year.

Read the full blog here.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 8 Aug 2023 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Dr. Paul David Spradley, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/another-perspective-with-dr-paul-david-spradley-TEkZonEu Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. 46 Million Americans Struggle With Substance-Use Disorder and Hypertherm Associates Is Paving the Way for “Recover-Friendly Workplaces”
  2. UPS Workers Reach a Tentative Contract Deal With Management Days Ahead of Strike Deadline
  3. Tech Company CHANI Is Proving Why Caring for Your Employees Pays Off
  4. Swift Stunned the Eras Tour’s Trucking Staff by Giving Each Trucker a Check in the Amount of $100,000
  5. Wisconsin’s First Universally Accessible Park Breaks Ground in Wauwatosa

Call to Action:

Minette Norman’s book The Boldly Inclusive Leader, is here! You can order it for release on August 8 right here. Minette was a delightful 5 Things in 15 Minutes guest earlier this year.

Read the full blog here.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Another Perspective with Dr. Paul David Spradley Dr. Paul David Spradley, Bernadette Smith 00:19:51 Dr. Paul David Spradley, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Dollar Bank, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Recovery Friendly Workplaces, the first universally accessible park, and more! Dr. Paul David Spradley, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Dollar Bank, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Recovery Friendly Workplaces, the first universally accessible park, and more! universally accessible park, hypertherm associates, substance-use disorder, tech, chani, swities, ups strike, recover-friendly workplaces, strike, ups, taylor swit false full 50 99549e7f-d3ad-4c8c-a280-4a008f0d8844 Yes, And with Celia Daniels Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. Desantis Controversial Policies Spark Florida Convention Cancellations as Tourism Shows Signs of Slowing
  2. Pie Shop on Chicago’s South Side Serves More Than Dessert
  3. CVS Rolls Out Collection of Accessible Products
  4. Armless Pilot Gives Students a Look at First Foot-Controlled Plane
  5. Jags’ Maxen Is the First Male American Pro Sports Coach to Come Out as Gay

Call to Action:

August is National Black Business Month, a time to recognize and support Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs across the country. Of course, you should do that every month, but add some extra intention this month. Here’s a great one: Tubby’s Taste, delicious, island-inspired cookies, available for corporate gifts or treats at home.

Connect with Celia on Linkedin.

Read the full blog here.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Wed, 2 Aug 2023 14:45:44 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Celia Daniels, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/yes-and-with-celia-daniels-dFiBG83V Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. Desantis Controversial Policies Spark Florida Convention Cancellations as Tourism Shows Signs of Slowing
  2. Pie Shop on Chicago’s South Side Serves More Than Dessert
  3. CVS Rolls Out Collection of Accessible Products
  4. Armless Pilot Gives Students a Look at First Foot-Controlled Plane
  5. Jags’ Maxen Is the First Male American Pro Sports Coach to Come Out as Gay

Call to Action:

August is National Black Business Month, a time to recognize and support Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs across the country. Of course, you should do that every month, but add some extra intention this month. Here’s a great one: Tubby’s Taste, delicious, island-inspired cookies, available for corporate gifts or treats at home.

Connect with Celia on Linkedin.

Read the full blog here.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Yes, And with Celia Daniels Celia Daniels, Bernadette Smith 00:28:07 Celia Daniels, Founder and CEO, of Rebekon Consulting, and I will the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about CVS rolling out their collection of accessible products, the first male American pro sports coach to come out as gay, and more! Celia Daniels, Founder and CEO, of Rebekon Consulting, and I will the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about CVS rolling out their collection of accessible products, the first male American pro sports coach to come out as gay, and more! cvs, dei, armless pilot, accessible products, national black business month, justice of the pies, chicago, 5 things in 15 minutes, maxen false full 49 e271034e-8e9a-4a1c-9fae-8c70a4bac249 Guiding Principles with Sheri Crosby Wheeler Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. How DEI Led to a New Barbie and Outdoor Apparel for Every Body
  2. These Companies Are So Serious About Keeping Older Employees That They’re Offering ‘Grandparent Leave’
  3. Wesleyan University Joins Other Schools in Nixing Legacy Admissions After Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Ruling
  4. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Opens First-Of-Its-Kind ‘For Members Only’ Credit Union
  5. Indeed Is Introducing a New Benefit to Support Employees Affected by Legislation Limiting Access to Gender-Affirming Services

Call to Action:

Follow Mita Mallick on LinkedIn and check out her Brown Table Talk podcast for awesome career and workplace advice.

Read the full blog here.

Connect with Sheri on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/shericrosbywheeler

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 25 Jul 2023 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Sheri Crosby Wheeler, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/guiding-principles-with-sheri-crosby-wheeler-ywXxE9ff Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. How DEI Led to a New Barbie and Outdoor Apparel for Every Body
  2. These Companies Are So Serious About Keeping Older Employees That They’re Offering ‘Grandparent Leave’
  3. Wesleyan University Joins Other Schools in Nixing Legacy Admissions After Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Ruling
  4. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Opens First-Of-Its-Kind ‘For Members Only’ Credit Union
  5. Indeed Is Introducing a New Benefit to Support Employees Affected by Legislation Limiting Access to Gender-Affirming Services

Call to Action:

Follow Mita Mallick on LinkedIn and check out her Brown Table Talk podcast for awesome career and workplace advice.

Read the full blog here.

Connect with Sheri on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/shericrosbywheeler

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Guiding Principles with Sheri Crosby Wheeler Sheri Crosby Wheeler, Bernadette Smith 00:21:28 Sheri Crosby Wheeler, former VP of Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Fossil Group, Inc., and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes This week our conversation is about Universities nixing legacy admissions, Indeed supporting employees affected by legislation limiting access to gender-affirming care, and more! Sheri Crosby Wheeler, former VP of Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Fossil Group, Inc., and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes This week our conversation is about Universities nixing legacy admissions, Indeed supporting employees affected by legislation limiting access to gender-affirming care, and more! legacy admissions, gender-affirming services, grandparents leave, indeed, wesleyan university, barbie, supreme court false full 48 83404d43-2093-454f-8936-6e1d9bd29beb Low Key with Allie Temkin Good Vibes:

  1. Cordillera Chocolates Launches New Sustainability Initiative for Female Cocoa Farmers in Colombia
  2. Majority of Birmingham Logistics Company’s Workers Are Recovering Addicts Getting a Second Chance
  3. Walmart Adds Sensory-Friendly Hours At Stores Nationwide
  4. Esther Vergeer’s Induction Into the Hall Of Fame Puts Spotlight On Wheelchair Tennis
  5. Miss Netherlands Crowns Its First Openly Trans Woman Rikkie Valerie Kollé

Call to Action:

New podcast alert! My friend LaToyna Wilkins, who wrote Leading Below the Surface: How to Build Real (and Psychologically Safe) Relationships with People Who Are Different from You has a new podcast of the same name. You can check it out here, too. (yes, I realize I gave her a shout-out last week, too)

Read the full 5 Things here.

Connect with Allie here.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 18 Jul 2023 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Allie Temkin, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/low-key-with-allie-temkin-IggCzehT Good Vibes:

  1. Cordillera Chocolates Launches New Sustainability Initiative for Female Cocoa Farmers in Colombia
  2. Majority of Birmingham Logistics Company’s Workers Are Recovering Addicts Getting a Second Chance
  3. Walmart Adds Sensory-Friendly Hours At Stores Nationwide
  4. Esther Vergeer’s Induction Into the Hall Of Fame Puts Spotlight On Wheelchair Tennis
  5. Miss Netherlands Crowns Its First Openly Trans Woman Rikkie Valerie Kollé

Call to Action:

New podcast alert! My friend LaToyna Wilkins, who wrote Leading Below the Surface: How to Build Real (and Psychologically Safe) Relationships with People Who Are Different from You has a new podcast of the same name. You can check it out here, too. (yes, I realize I gave her a shout-out last week, too)

Read the full 5 Things here.

Connect with Allie here.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Low Key with Allie Temkin Allie Temkin, Bernadette Smith 00:21:10 Allie Temkin, Director of Global Talent Acquisition at Livingston International, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Miss Netherlands Crowning Its First Openly Trans Woman, Cordillera Chocolates' Sustainability Initiative for Female Cocoa Farmers, and more! Allie Temkin, Director of Global Talent Acquisition at Livingston International, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Miss Netherlands Crowning Its First Openly Trans Woman, Cordillera Chocolates' Sustainability Initiative for Female Cocoa Farmers, and more! sensory-friendly, birmingham logistics, walmart, miss netherlands, expedited transport agency (eta), rikkie valerie kollé, esther vergeer, alabama, cordillera chocolates, trans woman false full 47 2f4a6d8c-6564-402d-8ff8-eec0abf6bfee Affirmative Action with Anthony Papini Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. Duke University Offering Free Tuition For North And South Carolina Families Earning Below $150,000
  2. Estonia Becomes First Central European Country to Allow Same-Sex Marriage
  3. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Is Now in Effect
  4. Sephora Announces Newest Influencers To Support Diverse Voices In Beauty
  5. Wimbledon Allows Dark Shorts to Ease Period Leakage Worries

Call to Action:

My friend LaTonya Wilkins, author of Leading Below the Surface, has a new Leadership + Team Effectiveness Assessment™️, which you can preview here. LaTonya is one of the best people I know and this is a very cool new product.

Read the full blog here: www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-affirmative-action

Connect with Anthony on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/anthonypapini

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 11 Jul 2023 21:33:02 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Anthony Papini, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/affirmative-action-with-anthony-papini-UlxH22iU Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. Duke University Offering Free Tuition For North And South Carolina Families Earning Below $150,000
  2. Estonia Becomes First Central European Country to Allow Same-Sex Marriage
  3. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Is Now in Effect
  4. Sephora Announces Newest Influencers To Support Diverse Voices In Beauty
  5. Wimbledon Allows Dark Shorts to Ease Period Leakage Worries

Call to Action:

My friend LaTonya Wilkins, author of Leading Below the Surface, has a new Leadership + Team Effectiveness Assessment™️, which you can preview here. LaTonya is one of the best people I know and this is a very cool new product.

Read the full blog here: www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-affirmative-action

Connect with Anthony on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/anthonypapini

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Affirmative Action with Anthony Papini Anthony Papini, Bernadette Smith 00:28:12 Anthony Papini, Head of Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at ActiveCampaign, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, Sephora's diverse voices in beauty, and more! Anthony Papini, Head of Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at ActiveCampaign, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, Sephora's diverse voices in beauty, and more! estonia, wimbledon, duke university, pregnant workers fairness act, sephora, affirmative action, same-sex marriage false full 46 037cb34c-52c9-416a-9ffc-8614c92be48c Rest with Theresa Fletcher-Brown Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. UMB Honors Service Dogs with ‘Dogtorate’ Degrees
  2. Illinois Becomes the First State in the U.S. To Ban Book Bans
  3. Characters With Disabilities At the Center Of New TV Show
  4. NYC’s Food Delivery Workers Will Be the First in the Country to Get a Minimum Wage
  5. The U.S. Army Renames a Base in Honor of Sgt. William Henry Johnson, a Black WWI Hero

Call to Action:

Know someone whose child recently came out as trans? The Cut offers this fantastic Transgender Family Handbook, 144 specific suggestions, curated from trans young people and their loved ones.

 

Read the full blog here.

Connect with THERESA FLETCHER-BROWN here.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 15:46:31 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (THERESA FLETCHER-BROWN, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/rest-with-theresa-fletcher-brown-GN1IBzcb Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. UMB Honors Service Dogs with ‘Dogtorate’ Degrees
  2. Illinois Becomes the First State in the U.S. To Ban Book Bans
  3. Characters With Disabilities At the Center Of New TV Show
  4. NYC’s Food Delivery Workers Will Be the First in the Country to Get a Minimum Wage
  5. The U.S. Army Renames a Base in Honor of Sgt. William Henry Johnson, a Black WWI Hero

Call to Action:

Know someone whose child recently came out as trans? The Cut offers this fantastic Transgender Family Handbook, 144 specific suggestions, curated from trans young people and their loved ones.

 

Read the full blog here.

Connect with THERESA FLETCHER-BROWN here.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Rest with Theresa Fletcher-Brown THERESA FLETCHER-BROWN, Bernadette Smith 00:22:38 THERESA FLETCHER-BROWN, CDE®, Director, EEO Officer, Chicago Transit Authority, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Illinois becoming the first state to ban book bans, NYC paying a minimum wage to food delivery workers, and more! THERESA FLETCHER-BROWN, CDE®, Director, EEO Officer, Chicago Transit Authority, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Illinois becoming the first state to ban book bans, NYC paying a minimum wage to food delivery workers, and more! minimum wage, u.s. army, sgt. william henry johnson, service dogs, umb, food delivery workers, arthur tv show, book bans false full 45 77e85e8d-f98b-421d-9359-845af811cbbd Guy with Erma Ishara This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. Walmart’s Live Better U Program Turns 5, Expands to Canada
  2. Annual Grace Hopper Celebration Conference to Leave Orlando Due to New Florida Laws
  3. Biden-⁠Harris Administration Announces New Actions to Protect LGBTQI+ Communities
  4. Delta Is Developing a New First-Of-Its-Kind Airline Seat That Allows Wheelchair Users to Stay In Their Chairs
  5. Portugal Just Launched a ‘Government-Funded’ 4-Day Workweek Trial

Call To Action:

Learn about Geena Rocero, the Filipina transgender fashion model and activist, and consider her new book Horse Barbie, which I’ll plan to read after I finish Elliot Page’s new memoir, Pageboy.

Read the full blog here. 

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Thu, 15 Jun 2023 13:42:15 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Erma Ishara, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/guy-with-erma-ishara-_oIaISNQ This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. Walmart’s Live Better U Program Turns 5, Expands to Canada
  2. Annual Grace Hopper Celebration Conference to Leave Orlando Due to New Florida Laws
  3. Biden-⁠Harris Administration Announces New Actions to Protect LGBTQI+ Communities
  4. Delta Is Developing a New First-Of-Its-Kind Airline Seat That Allows Wheelchair Users to Stay In Their Chairs
  5. Portugal Just Launched a ‘Government-Funded’ 4-Day Workweek Trial

Call To Action:

Learn about Geena Rocero, the Filipina transgender fashion model and activist, and consider her new book Horse Barbie, which I’ll plan to read after I finish Elliot Page’s new memoir, Pageboy.

Read the full blog here. 

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Guy with Erma Ishara Erma Ishara, Bernadette Smith 00:17:05 Erma Ishara, Equality Institute Associate Facilitator, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Walmart's free college tuition program, Delta's new seat for accessibility, and more! Erma Ishara, Equality Institute Associate Facilitator, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Walmart's free college tuition program, Delta's new seat for accessibility, and more! 4-day workweek, live better u, lgbtqi+ protections, walmart, biden-harris administration, grace hopper celebration conference, grace hopper, portugal, florida false full 44 e011ab7d-4192-40c2-b209-893c68faafc8 Pride & Joy with Nancy Harris This Week’s Good Vibes:

  1. The National Park Service (NPS) is working to incorporate more Black history into its storytelling about America. This includes considering the establishment of a Black Panther Party National Historical Park, and other new parks in locations related to civil rights, such as the 1964 murders of civil rights workers and the 1955 lynching of Emmett Till. The goal is to establish new national parks that facilitate conversations about race. I’m hopeful that all of these come to fruition so these stories continue to be heard and remembered. 
  2. The North Face is fighting back against backlash from conservatives for partnering with drag queen Pattie Gonia to promote their "Summer of Pride" event. However, unlike other companies that have faced similar backlash, The North Face is standing by its brand partner and expressing support for LGBTQ+ equality. When other brands have backed down, this response is significant as it demonstrates a commitment to inclusion and sends a message to other businesses about the importance of embracing LGBTQ+ consumers and employees.
  3. Mexico has introduced a new policy allowing citizens to identify as nonbinary on their passports, with the option to select "X" as their gender marker. The U.S. and Canada already have this policy in place. This is significant as it demonstrates Mexico's progress in advancing LGBTQ+ rights and the acceptance of gender beyond the binary. The indigenous Muxe of Oaxaca live and are widely accepted in their “third gender.”
  4. Texas now has the CROWN Act. The CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) aims to protect individuals from discrimination based on their natural hair in workplaces, schools, and housing policies. This affects mostly Black and Brown folks who have dreadlocks, braids, twists, and other natural hair. These folks are often burdened with the white supremacy standard of "professional” hair. There are about 20 states with this protection.
  5. In a strange turnabout, another company which faced recent conservative backlash was Chik-Fil-A, when people realized the company had a Vice President of DEI. The irony is that the fast-food restaurant chain has a history of partnerships with anti-LGBTQ organizations and has been boycotted by many people like me, who love that chicken but go to Popeye’s instead. The good news here is that (I hope) Chik-Fil-A is showing some commitment towards greater equity and inclusion…my hope is that it’s not lip service, but they haven’t released any statements.

Call to Action:

Read this article and photos about the trans joy on display at the Trans Youth Prom outside the U.S. Capitol building last week.

To learn more about Nancy, visit: https://www.restartconsult.com/

Read the full 5 Things here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/pride-amp-joy

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 6 Jun 2023 21:54:14 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Nancy Harris, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/pride-joy-with-nancy-harris-1SHvS7e9 This Week’s Good Vibes:

  1. The National Park Service (NPS) is working to incorporate more Black history into its storytelling about America. This includes considering the establishment of a Black Panther Party National Historical Park, and other new parks in locations related to civil rights, such as the 1964 murders of civil rights workers and the 1955 lynching of Emmett Till. The goal is to establish new national parks that facilitate conversations about race. I’m hopeful that all of these come to fruition so these stories continue to be heard and remembered. 
  2. The North Face is fighting back against backlash from conservatives for partnering with drag queen Pattie Gonia to promote their "Summer of Pride" event. However, unlike other companies that have faced similar backlash, The North Face is standing by its brand partner and expressing support for LGBTQ+ equality. When other brands have backed down, this response is significant as it demonstrates a commitment to inclusion and sends a message to other businesses about the importance of embracing LGBTQ+ consumers and employees.
  3. Mexico has introduced a new policy allowing citizens to identify as nonbinary on their passports, with the option to select "X" as their gender marker. The U.S. and Canada already have this policy in place. This is significant as it demonstrates Mexico's progress in advancing LGBTQ+ rights and the acceptance of gender beyond the binary. The indigenous Muxe of Oaxaca live and are widely accepted in their “third gender.”
  4. Texas now has the CROWN Act. The CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) aims to protect individuals from discrimination based on their natural hair in workplaces, schools, and housing policies. This affects mostly Black and Brown folks who have dreadlocks, braids, twists, and other natural hair. These folks are often burdened with the white supremacy standard of "professional” hair. There are about 20 states with this protection.
  5. In a strange turnabout, another company which faced recent conservative backlash was Chik-Fil-A, when people realized the company had a Vice President of DEI. The irony is that the fast-food restaurant chain has a history of partnerships with anti-LGBTQ organizations and has been boycotted by many people like me, who love that chicken but go to Popeye’s instead. The good news here is that (I hope) Chik-Fil-A is showing some commitment towards greater equity and inclusion…my hope is that it’s not lip service, but they haven’t released any statements.

Call to Action:

Read this article and photos about the trans joy on display at the Trans Youth Prom outside the U.S. Capitol building last week.

To learn more about Nancy, visit: https://www.restartconsult.com/

Read the full 5 Things here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/pride-amp-joy

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Pride & Joy with Nancy Harris Nancy Harris, Bernadette Smith 00:18:13 Nancy Harries, Founder of Restart Consulting, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about North Face's fight for Drag Queens and LGBTQ+ people, Mexico adding a Nonbinary option to passports, and more! Nancy Harries, Founder of Restart Consulting, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about North Face's fight for Drag Queens and LGBTQ+ people, Mexico adding a Nonbinary option to passports, and more! summer of pride, chik-fil-a, pride month, national park service, mexico, crown act, pattie gonia, crown act texas, northface, lgbtqia+ false full 43 1e5839e3-6bed-4c25-9163-20efcca7dd9e Praise with Jessica Bantom This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. Apple Created Its New Voice Feature For—and With—People With ALS
  2. Autodesk Renames Its “Diversity and Inclusion” Team to the “Diversity and Belonging” Team
  3. New York City Passes Bill Banning Weight Discrimination
  4. Starbucks’ New Gender-Inclusive Ad Starring Trans Model
  5. Canada Labour Code to Ensure Access to Menstrual Products at Work Starting December 15

Call to Action:

Listen to this interview with Target CEO Brian Cornell on the Leadership Next Podcast. Spoiler alert: he’s a true believer in DEI.

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-patience

To learn more about Jessica and her book, visit: https://www.jessicabantom.com/designforidentity

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 23 May 2023 17:39:11 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Jessica Bantom, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/praise-with-jessica-bantom-Mmx_8rHv This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. Apple Created Its New Voice Feature For—and With—People With ALS
  2. Autodesk Renames Its “Diversity and Inclusion” Team to the “Diversity and Belonging” Team
  3. New York City Passes Bill Banning Weight Discrimination
  4. Starbucks’ New Gender-Inclusive Ad Starring Trans Model
  5. Canada Labour Code to Ensure Access to Menstrual Products at Work Starting December 15

Call to Action:

Listen to this interview with Target CEO Brian Cornell on the Leadership Next Podcast. Spoiler alert: he’s a true believer in DEI.

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-patience

To learn more about Jessica and her book, visit: https://www.jessicabantom.com/designforidentity

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Praise with Jessica Bantom Jessica Bantom, Bernadette Smith 00:22:37 Jessica Bantom, DEIB Practitioner, Interior Design Consultant, and Author of Design for Identity, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Trans Model in Starbucks India's new ad campaign, Apple's new voice feature for people with ALS, and more! Jessica Bantom, DEIB Practitioner, Interior Design Consultant, and Author of Design for Identity, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Trans Model in Starbucks India's new ad campaign, Apple's new voice feature for people with ALS, and more! trans, dei, weight discrimintation, menstrual products, autodesk, apple, new york city council, gender-inclusive, starbucks, diversity belonging, als false full 42 e9663639-aaf4-49dc-94fe-8c9aed12f7f0 Ageist with Dr. Therese (Waltz) Canares This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. ‘Sesame Street’ Introduces TJ, the Show’s First Filipino American Muppet
  2. FDA Paves Way for More Gay and Bisexual Men to Donate Blood With New Risk-Based Assessment
  3. Dartmouth Health on How to Reduce Hiring Bias, the Power of DEIB Statements
  4. Airbnb Let Its Workers Live and Work Anywhere. Spoiler: They’re Loving It
  5. For Kids, Going Under Anesthesia Can Be Scary. This Nurse Made a Video Game to Ease Fears

Call to Action:

Watch this PBS Special “Rising Against Asian Hate” narrated by the fabulous Sandra Oh. The special “sheds light on the struggles, triumphs, and achievements of AAPI communities.”

To learn more about CurieDx and Dr. Canares, visit: https://www.curiedx.com/

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-ageist

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 16 May 2023 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Dr. Therese (Waltz) Canare, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/ageist-with-dr-therese-waltz-canares-8pTaVHxc This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. ‘Sesame Street’ Introduces TJ, the Show’s First Filipino American Muppet
  2. FDA Paves Way for More Gay and Bisexual Men to Donate Blood With New Risk-Based Assessment
  3. Dartmouth Health on How to Reduce Hiring Bias, the Power of DEIB Statements
  4. Airbnb Let Its Workers Live and Work Anywhere. Spoiler: They’re Loving It
  5. For Kids, Going Under Anesthesia Can Be Scary. This Nurse Made a Video Game to Ease Fears

Call to Action:

Watch this PBS Special “Rising Against Asian Hate” narrated by the fabulous Sandra Oh. The special “sheds light on the struggles, triumphs, and achievements of AAPI communities.”

To learn more about CurieDx and Dr. Canares, visit: https://www.curiedx.com/

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-ageist

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Ageist with Dr. Therese (Waltz) Canares Dr. Therese (Waltz) Canare, Bernadette Smith 00:22:27 Dr. Therese (Waltz) Canares, Physician and CEO/Founder of CurieDX, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about FDA's new policy on gay/bisexual men donating blood, Sesame Street's first Filipino Character, and more! Dr. Therese (Waltz) Canares, Physician and CEO/Founder of CurieDX, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about FDA's new policy on gay/bisexual men donating blood, Sesame Street's first Filipino Character, and more! fda, dartmouth health, ez induction, sesame street, dei, deib, hiring bias, breather-controlled video game, airbnb, gay and bisexual men to donate blood false full 41 5d00fa09-b927-433e-b3d5-6b1790b85dbd Connection First With Dr. Jen O’Ryan This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. To Celebrate Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, Mattel Is Introducing a Doll Based on Hollywood Pioneer Anna May Wong
  2. Ben & Jerry’s Co-founder Starts Cannabis Nonprofit to Support Social Causes
  3. MrBeast Calls Out Transphobic Backlash to Chris Tyson’s Hormone Therapy
  4. Smartsheet Is Now Giving Logo Space to Various Nonprofit Organizations in F1 Racing
  5. Democrat Angie Craig Has Joined Other Employers Rejecting the “Paper Ceiling” Blamed for Limiting Millions of Workers

Call to Action:

I see everything as an experiment and have the sticker to go along with it, so I found this article interesting and a worthy read: “Why You Should Start A/B Testing Your DEI Initiatives."

To learn more about Jen and Inclusive AF, visit: https://www.pagingdrjen.com/inclusive-af-a-field-guide

Read the full blog here for this 5 Things Episode: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-connection-first

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 9 May 2023 17:56:14 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Dr. Jen O’Ryan, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/connection-first-with-dr-jen-oryan-k__RcoJs This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. To Celebrate Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, Mattel Is Introducing a Doll Based on Hollywood Pioneer Anna May Wong
  2. Ben & Jerry’s Co-founder Starts Cannabis Nonprofit to Support Social Causes
  3. MrBeast Calls Out Transphobic Backlash to Chris Tyson’s Hormone Therapy
  4. Smartsheet Is Now Giving Logo Space to Various Nonprofit Organizations in F1 Racing
  5. Democrat Angie Craig Has Joined Other Employers Rejecting the “Paper Ceiling” Blamed for Limiting Millions of Workers

Call to Action:

I see everything as an experiment and have the sticker to go along with it, so I found this article interesting and a worthy read: “Why You Should Start A/B Testing Your DEI Initiatives."

To learn more about Jen and Inclusive AF, visit: https://www.pagingdrjen.com/inclusive-af-a-field-guide

Read the full blog here for this 5 Things Episode: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-connection-first

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Connection First With Dr. Jen O’Ryan Dr. Jen O’Ryan, Bernadette Smith 00:23:03 Dr. Jen O’Ryan, founder of Double Tall Consulting, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Ben & Jerry’s cannabis company, MrBeast's support of the Trans Community, and more! Dr. Jen O’Ryan, founder of Double Tall Consulting, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Ben & Jerry’s cannabis company, MrBeast's support of the Trans Community, and more! cannabis, dei, f1 racing, mrbeast, mattel, ben & jerry's, asian/pacific american heritage month, angie craig, transphobic, barbie, smartsheet false full 40 5804c468-1c51-4432-9d90-d350e369c989 Visibility with Dr. Joel A. Davis Brown This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. The Owners of Butter & Gave Their Employees Stock Options
  2. Barbie Doll With Down’s Syndrome Launched by Mattel
  3. Linkedin’s New Commitments Tool Lets Users Screen Prospective Employers by What They Stand For
  4. Taraji P. Henson and Kate Spade Are Teaming Up With HBCUs
  5. USA Today Highlights Some of the Incredible Accessible Products They’ve Seen and the Impact They’re Making in People’s Lives

Call to Action:

I’m not going to do this often, I promise, but please consider a donation to the Rainbow Cafe or your local LGBTQ Center.

To learn more about Dr. Joel A. Davis, visit: https://www.pneumos.com/our-founder/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 2 May 2023 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Dr. Joel A. Davis Brown, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-visibility-3skTotHy This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. The Owners of Butter & Gave Their Employees Stock Options
  2. Barbie Doll With Down’s Syndrome Launched by Mattel
  3. Linkedin’s New Commitments Tool Lets Users Screen Prospective Employers by What They Stand For
  4. Taraji P. Henson and Kate Spade Are Teaming Up With HBCUs
  5. USA Today Highlights Some of the Incredible Accessible Products They’ve Seen and the Impact They’re Making in People’s Lives

Call to Action:

I’m not going to do this often, I promise, but please consider a donation to the Rainbow Cafe or your local LGBTQ Center.

To learn more about Dr. Joel A. Davis, visit: https://www.pneumos.com/our-founder/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Visibility with Dr. Joel A. Davis Brown Dr. Joel A. Davis Brown, Bernadette Smith 00:21:12 Dr. Joel A. Davis Brown, author of "The Souls of Queer Folk: How Understanding LGBTQ+ Culture Can Transform Your Leadership Practice", and I will recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Linkedin’s new commitments tool, Taraji P. Henson's HBCU mental health pilot program, and more! Dr. Joel A. Davis Brown, author of "The Souls of Queer Folk: How Understanding LGBTQ+ Culture Can Transform Your Leadership Practice", and I will recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Linkedin’s new commitments tool, Taraji P. Henson's HBCU mental health pilot program, and more! usa today, lesbian visibility day, dei, hbcu, rainbow cafe, taraji p. henson, accessible products, butter &, linkedin, kate hudson, barbie false full 39 f60f5e23-7206-4bab-a7ce-278a47c1a9da Micro Inclusion with John Estrada This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. A Navy Ship Named for a Confederate Victory Now Honors a Black Union Hero
  2. Alaska Airlines’ First Class Gets Upgrade With Black Sisters’ Wine
  3. Disability Activists Grace Cover Of British Vogue
  4. Nasdaq Board Diversity Rule Boosted LGBTQ Policies
  5. Beaches Resorts Grows Program For Guests On The Spectrum

This Week’s Call to Action:

If you don’t already get Karen Catlin’s fantastic 5 Ally Actions newsletter each Friday morning, I’d encourage you to subscribe. It’s an excellent summary of bite-sized actions (with concrete examples) that we ALL take to promote inclusion at work.

To learn more about John Estrada, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-estrada-264345/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 25 Apr 2023 18:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (John Estrada, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-micro-inclusion-_CU2Mwok This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. A Navy Ship Named for a Confederate Victory Now Honors a Black Union Hero
  2. Alaska Airlines’ First Class Gets Upgrade With Black Sisters’ Wine
  3. Disability Activists Grace Cover Of British Vogue
  4. Nasdaq Board Diversity Rule Boosted LGBTQ Policies
  5. Beaches Resorts Grows Program For Guests On The Spectrum

This Week’s Call to Action:

If you don’t already get Karen Catlin’s fantastic 5 Ally Actions newsletter each Friday morning, I’d encourage you to subscribe. It’s an excellent summary of bite-sized actions (with concrete examples) that we ALL take to promote inclusion at work.

To learn more about John Estrada, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-estrada-264345/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Micro Inclusion with John Estrada John Estrada, Bernadette Smith 00:18:08 John Estrada, Vice President, Talent Management, DEI, and Human Resources Consulting at Integrated People Solutions, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about the renaming of a Confederate named Navy ship, Disability Activists gracing the cover of British Vogue, and more! John Estrada, Vice President, Talent Management, DEI, and Human Resources Consulting at Integrated People Solutions, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about the renaming of a Confederate named Navy ship, Disability Activists gracing the cover of British Vogue, and more! british vogue, disability activists, lgbtq policies, navy, beaches resorts, black sisters’ wine, alaska airlines, nasdaq false full 38 58c51a04-4275-4c50-b4e4-86d1c34b8b94 Not Yet with Jesse Gutierrez This week I was in a series of meetings with a client, leading them through our Inclusive 360 assessment process. Our assessment is extremely granular, breaking down DEI into a series of small tactics, across all functions. As part of the process, we put employees in small group meetings and go through the assessment questions.

One leader repeatedly used the phrase “not yet” when answering my questions – not yet because we’re at the beginning of this process. Not yet because they’re learning, still understanding the current state of affairs. Not yet – but they’re excited about it. They’re ready to do better as soon as they know better. It’s coming from leadership. Not yet, but the tactics are bite-sized. They’re doable. They’re cumulatively impactful but many are small enough to generate momentum through quick wins.

So while we may start with “not yet”, I believe in the power of forward momentum, the kind that can come from a cross-functional approach. Celebrate the quick wins and keep going.

This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. Disneyland Rebuilds Mickey’s Toontown From The Ground Up For Kids Of All Abilities
  2. Thousands of Catholic Nuns Unite to ‘Wholeheartedly’ Declare Trans People Are Beloved by God
  3. Companies That Get ‘Woke’ Aren’t Going Broke — They’re More Profitable Than Ever
  4. Beau Jo’s Is Selling His Famous Colorado Pizza Shop — To His Employees
  5. BBC Education Show in Afghanistan Helps Children Banned From School

Call to action:

Planning an event or meeting in a state with anti-diversity laws or bills? Your attendees can now offset the cost of their spending in that state by supporting charities that align with their values. This is super cool! Learn more at: https://socialoffset.org/

Learn more about Jesse here: https://hymn.consulting/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 18 Apr 2023 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Jesse Gutierrez, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-not-yet-Z_eKT_Lf This week I was in a series of meetings with a client, leading them through our Inclusive 360 assessment process. Our assessment is extremely granular, breaking down DEI into a series of small tactics, across all functions. As part of the process, we put employees in small group meetings and go through the assessment questions.

One leader repeatedly used the phrase “not yet” when answering my questions – not yet because we’re at the beginning of this process. Not yet because they’re learning, still understanding the current state of affairs. Not yet – but they’re excited about it. They’re ready to do better as soon as they know better. It’s coming from leadership. Not yet, but the tactics are bite-sized. They’re doable. They’re cumulatively impactful but many are small enough to generate momentum through quick wins.

So while we may start with “not yet”, I believe in the power of forward momentum, the kind that can come from a cross-functional approach. Celebrate the quick wins and keep going.

This Week's Good Vibes:

  1. Disneyland Rebuilds Mickey’s Toontown From The Ground Up For Kids Of All Abilities
  2. Thousands of Catholic Nuns Unite to ‘Wholeheartedly’ Declare Trans People Are Beloved by God
  3. Companies That Get ‘Woke’ Aren’t Going Broke — They’re More Profitable Than Ever
  4. Beau Jo’s Is Selling His Famous Colorado Pizza Shop — To His Employees
  5. BBC Education Show in Afghanistan Helps Children Banned From School

Call to action:

Planning an event or meeting in a state with anti-diversity laws or bills? Your attendees can now offset the cost of their spending in that state by supporting charities that align with their values. This is super cool! Learn more at: https://socialoffset.org/

Learn more about Jesse here: https://hymn.consulting/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Not Yet with Jesse Gutierrez Jesse Gutierrez, Bernadette Smith 00:18:37 Jesse Gutierrez, Founder, and CEO of Hymn Consulting LLC, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Catholic Nuns in support of Trans People, Disneyland's redevelopment efforts for kids with differing needs, and more! Jesse Gutierrez, Founder, and CEO of Hymn Consulting LLC, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Catholic Nuns in support of Trans People, Disneyland's redevelopment efforts for kids with differing needs, and more! catholic nuns, beau jo's, woke, trans people, disneyland's redevelopment efforts for kids with differing needs, mickey’s toontown, bbc education, disneyland, colorado, pizza false full 37 5f7c8f1c-01cd-466f-9d5f-71250b3309cb Checking The Box with Dr. Steve Yacovelli This Week's Good Vibes:

  • Transgender Woman Inducted Into The National Women's Hall of Fame
  • March Madness Finals Ratings Set A Record High For Women
  • Historically Black University Created Its Own Tech Intern Pipeline
  • Goldman Sachs Invests $2 Billion in Black Women-Owned Businesses — The First Chapter of a Bigger Plan
  • Bud Light Doesn't Care That You're Mad About Its Dylan Mulvaney Collab

Call to action:

Check out Translator, “a social DEI learning platform designed for facilitators, live audiences, and data freaks.” Its Founder and CEO, Natalie Egan, is a brilliant trans woman I neglected to include in my list last week. h/t to reader Rachel Kjack for the note.

To learn more about Dr. Steve Yacovelli, visit: www.topdoglearning.biz

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 11 Apr 2023 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Dr. Steve Yacovelli, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-checking-the-box-Uw68we5r This Week's Good Vibes:

  • Transgender Woman Inducted Into The National Women's Hall of Fame
  • March Madness Finals Ratings Set A Record High For Women
  • Historically Black University Created Its Own Tech Intern Pipeline
  • Goldman Sachs Invests $2 Billion in Black Women-Owned Businesses — The First Chapter of a Bigger Plan
  • Bud Light Doesn't Care That You're Mad About Its Dylan Mulvaney Collab

Call to action:

Check out Translator, “a social DEI learning platform designed for facilitators, live audiences, and data freaks.” Its Founder and CEO, Natalie Egan, is a brilliant trans woman I neglected to include in my list last week. h/t to reader Rachel Kjack for the note.

To learn more about Dr. Steve Yacovelli, visit: www.topdoglearning.biz

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Checking The Box with Dr. Steve Yacovelli Dr. Steve Yacovelli, Bernadette Smith 00:18:48 angel reese, black women-owned businesses, march madness, national women's hall of fame, bowie state university, dylan mulvaney, bud light, goldman sachs, misogynoir, trans representation false full 36 085a0c3b-9acb-493e-8e76-371a71bebc74 DEI Stand Up with David Morse In this week's Good Vibes, in honor of yesterday's Transgender Day of Visibility, I’d like to introduce you to some amazing transgender business owners, many of whom are authors. I hope you’ll consider following and supporting them:

Celia Daniels (she/her)

I am an Asian Indian trans woman of color who is an entrepreneur, public speaker, activist, motivator, musician, artist, photographer, and filmmaker. Growing up as a lonely closeted kid from Southern India with stigma, discrimination, and gender dysphoria, I write and speak passionately about the struggles and challenges I faced in my family, work, school, and community both in the US and India. Visit Celia's Linkedin page

Robbie Samuels (he/him)

I'm an event design consultant and executive Zoom producer, with a passion for creating engaging and unforgettable experiences. With two decades of experience in the meetings and events industry, I have honed my skills in designing and executing events that leave a lasting impression. I'm openly trans and own a Certified LGBT Business Enterprise. Visit Robbie's Linkedin page

Ashley Brundage (she/her)

I advanced my career from a part-time bank teller to a vice president of the national diversity and inclusion team at PNC Bank in less than 5 years. I celebrated my authenticity, and empowered myself, and others, to create a stronger community…Everyone’s journey will look different, but these methods can produce similar results and the takeaways of the book (Empowering Differences) can be applied to anyone. Visit Ashley's Linkedin page

Lily Zheng (they/them)

I help leaders achieve diversity, equity, and inclusion as real and measurable outcomes of organizations, rather than just the aspirational intentions of individuals. My clients are organizations and leaders of organizations looking for approaches grounded in data of all kinds, rooted in outcomes and effectiveness, and informed by a systemic approach to organizational problem-solving. Visit Lily's Linkedin page

Rhodes Perry (he/him)

I help leaders build psychological safety, trust, and belonging at work. I created the Belonging at Work Summit, an annual virtual conference empowering DEI practitioners to build community, gain new skills, and recommit to building healthier workplace cultures. Visit Rhodes' Linkedin page

Call to Action:

Follow some of the amazing people above and buy their books. And, please, please let your transgender employees know that you’ve got their backs. Here are Rhodes Perry’s tips on Ways You Can Show Up for Your Transgender and Nonbinary Colleagues.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 4 Apr 2023 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (David Morse, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-dei-stand-up-gNru5QAh In this week's Good Vibes, in honor of yesterday's Transgender Day of Visibility, I’d like to introduce you to some amazing transgender business owners, many of whom are authors. I hope you’ll consider following and supporting them:

Celia Daniels (she/her)

I am an Asian Indian trans woman of color who is an entrepreneur, public speaker, activist, motivator, musician, artist, photographer, and filmmaker. Growing up as a lonely closeted kid from Southern India with stigma, discrimination, and gender dysphoria, I write and speak passionately about the struggles and challenges I faced in my family, work, school, and community both in the US and India. Visit Celia's Linkedin page

Robbie Samuels (he/him)

I'm an event design consultant and executive Zoom producer, with a passion for creating engaging and unforgettable experiences. With two decades of experience in the meetings and events industry, I have honed my skills in designing and executing events that leave a lasting impression. I'm openly trans and own a Certified LGBT Business Enterprise. Visit Robbie's Linkedin page

Ashley Brundage (she/her)

I advanced my career from a part-time bank teller to a vice president of the national diversity and inclusion team at PNC Bank in less than 5 years. I celebrated my authenticity, and empowered myself, and others, to create a stronger community…Everyone’s journey will look different, but these methods can produce similar results and the takeaways of the book (Empowering Differences) can be applied to anyone. Visit Ashley's Linkedin page

Lily Zheng (they/them)

I help leaders achieve diversity, equity, and inclusion as real and measurable outcomes of organizations, rather than just the aspirational intentions of individuals. My clients are organizations and leaders of organizations looking for approaches grounded in data of all kinds, rooted in outcomes and effectiveness, and informed by a systemic approach to organizational problem-solving. Visit Lily's Linkedin page

Rhodes Perry (he/him)

I help leaders build psychological safety, trust, and belonging at work. I created the Belonging at Work Summit, an annual virtual conference empowering DEI practitioners to build community, gain new skills, and recommit to building healthier workplace cultures. Visit Rhodes' Linkedin page

Call to Action:

Follow some of the amazing people above and buy their books. And, please, please let your transgender employees know that you’ve got their backs. Here are Rhodes Perry’s tips on Ways You Can Show Up for Your Transgender and Nonbinary Colleagues.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> DEI Stand Up with David Morse David Morse, Bernadette Smith 00:17:21 David Morse, Author and Speaker, and I discuss his book Multicultural Intelligence: Eight Make-Or-Break Rules for Marketing to Race, Ethnicity and Sexual Orientation, and how to stay positive when diversity is under attack. David Morse, Author and Speaker, and I discuss his book Multicultural Intelligence: Eight Make-Or-Break Rules for Marketing to Race, Ethnicity and Sexual Orientation, and how to stay positive when diversity is under attack. equity, dei, trans rights, diversity, equality, inclusion, trans day of visibility false full 35 33025fae-089e-49ae-9a65-e05742c9e834 Your Lane with Lisa Koenecke Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Maryland Just Made It Easier for Its Residents to Access Gender-Affirming Care
  2. Wetzel’s Pretzels Is Giving Female Entrepreneurs a Boost With New Franchisee Equity Program
  3. Disability Rights Advocates Speak Out Against Candace Owens Harmful Comments on Disability Representation
  4. Chip Makers Will Have to Provide Child Care to Tap Joe Biden’s Huge $39 Billion Semiconductor Industry Fund
  5. Google’s Muslim Employee Resource Group Helped Make Ramadan Better for Everyone

Call to action:

Read the full blog here.

Learn more about Lisa here.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 28 Mar 2023 19:50:27 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Lisa Koenecke, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-your-lane-XbvQfaz2 Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Maryland Just Made It Easier for Its Residents to Access Gender-Affirming Care
  2. Wetzel’s Pretzels Is Giving Female Entrepreneurs a Boost With New Franchisee Equity Program
  3. Disability Rights Advocates Speak Out Against Candace Owens Harmful Comments on Disability Representation
  4. Chip Makers Will Have to Provide Child Care to Tap Joe Biden’s Huge $39 Billion Semiconductor Industry Fund
  5. Google’s Muslim Employee Resource Group Helped Make Ramadan Better for Everyone

Call to action:

Read the full blog here.

Learn more about Lisa here.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Your Lane with Lisa Koenecke Lisa Koenecke, Bernadette Smith 00:18:26 Lisa Koenecke, DEI Facilitator, and Author of Be an Inclusion Ally: ABCs of LGBTQ+, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Wetzel’s Pretzels' new equity plan for women and underrepresented people, disability advocates banding together against anti-diversity, and more! Lisa Koenecke, DEI Facilitator, and Author of Be an Inclusion Ally: ABCs of LGBTQ+, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Wetzel’s Pretzels' new equity plan for women and underrepresented people, disability advocates banding together against anti-diversity, and more! ramadan, google, wetzel’s pretzels, muslim employee resource group, equity program, skims, gender-affirming care, disability rights advocates false full 34 e161829e-819f-4f5a-a359-c7b242f29619 The Irish with Maui Jones Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  • Critical Care Physician Creates Curly Hair Kits for Patients
  • Allstate Is Listening to Employees
  • Walmart Has Designed Inclusive Uniforms for Workers
  • Gov. Whitmer Signs Bill Expanding Michigan Civil Rights Law to Include LGBTQ Protections
  • New VA Mission Statement Recognizes Sacred Commitment to All Veterans, Their Families, Caregivers, and Survivors

Call to Action:

Ramadan begins on Wednesday. Check out these tips from Yasar Ahmed on how non-Muslims can be allies this Ramadan.

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-the-irish

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 21 Mar 2023 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Maui Jones, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-the-irish-sGmXIYXY Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  • Critical Care Physician Creates Curly Hair Kits for Patients
  • Allstate Is Listening to Employees
  • Walmart Has Designed Inclusive Uniforms for Workers
  • Gov. Whitmer Signs Bill Expanding Michigan Civil Rights Law to Include LGBTQ Protections
  • New VA Mission Statement Recognizes Sacred Commitment to All Veterans, Their Families, Caregivers, and Survivors

Call to Action:

Ramadan begins on Wednesday. Check out these tips from Yasar Ahmed on how non-Muslims can be allies this Ramadan.

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-the-irish

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> The Irish with Maui Jones Maui Jones, Bernadette Smith 00:18:34 Maui Jones, Equality Institute Facilitator, and I will recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Michigan expanding its civil rights protections, how a critical care physician has created curly hair kits for patients, and more! Maui Jones, Equality Institute Facilitator, and I will recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Michigan expanding its civil rights protections, how a critical care physician has created curly hair kits for patients, and more! walmart, curly hair kits, inclusive, lgbtq protections, veterans, civil rights, allstate false full 33 f31810e0-c868-4011-9fbd-ec99864cd788 The Blind Guy with John Samuel Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. New Lego Sets Feature Characters With A Range Of Disabilities
  2. Minnesota Governor Signs Order Protecting Access to Gender-Affirming Health Care
  3. How IKEA Retail Reached Gender Balance Globally For Leadership Roles
  4. QVC Boosts Adaptive, Accessible Product Offerings
  5. Biden’s Dei Executive Order Mandates That Each Government Agency Create an “Equity Team” and Also Establishes a DEI Steering Committee

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-the-blind-guy

To learn more about John and his book - Don’t Ask the Blind Guy, visit: https://www.johngsamuel.com/book/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 14 Mar 2023 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com ( Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-the-blind-guy-SkJtxbJ1 Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. New Lego Sets Feature Characters With A Range Of Disabilities
  2. Minnesota Governor Signs Order Protecting Access to Gender-Affirming Health Care
  3. How IKEA Retail Reached Gender Balance Globally For Leadership Roles
  4. QVC Boosts Adaptive, Accessible Product Offerings
  5. Biden’s Dei Executive Order Mandates That Each Government Agency Create an “Equity Team” and Also Establishes a DEI Steering Committee

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-the-blind-guy

To learn more about John and his book - Don’t Ask the Blind Guy, visit: https://www.johngsamuel.com/book/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> The Blind Guy with John Samuel Bernadette Smith 00:17:30 John Samuel, Author of Don’t Ask the Blind Guy for Directions, and I will recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Lego sets with disability representation, IKEA reaching gender balance globally, and more! John Samuel, Author of Don’t Ask the Blind Guy for Directions, and I will recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Lego sets with disability representation, IKEA reaching gender balance globally, and more! false full 32 95b0f2d5-f410-4124-928e-062e8f11e257 And Other S#*T with Veronica S. Smith Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Rei Co-op Asks Suppliers to up their Inclusivity Game
  2. Major Companies Are Using AI to Avoid Bias and Cliches in Advertising
  3. Supporters Rally Around Trans Activist in Hershey’s Women’s Day Campaign
  4. Nordstrom Teams With The Folklore Group to Grow Black-owned Brands
  5. Gabrielle Union-Wade, Dwyane Wade Call for Black LGBTQ Community Support at Naacp Image Awards

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-and-other-st

To learn more about Veronica, visit: https://www.data2insight.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 7 Mar 2023 18:40:10 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Veronica S. Smith, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-and-other-st-DkYYq9jd Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Rei Co-op Asks Suppliers to up their Inclusivity Game
  2. Major Companies Are Using AI to Avoid Bias and Cliches in Advertising
  3. Supporters Rally Around Trans Activist in Hershey’s Women’s Day Campaign
  4. Nordstrom Teams With The Folklore Group to Grow Black-owned Brands
  5. Gabrielle Union-Wade, Dwyane Wade Call for Black LGBTQ Community Support at Naacp Image Awards

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-and-other-st

To learn more about Veronica, visit: https://www.data2insight.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> And Other S#*T with Veronica S. Smith Veronica S. Smith, Bernadette Smith 00:24:46 Veronica S. Smith, Founder & Lead Executive of data2insight LLC, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about REI's new inclusion standards for suppliers, a new AI tool to reduce racial bias, and more! Veronica S. Smith, Founder & Lead Executive of data2insight LLC, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about REI's new inclusion standards for suppliers, a new AI tool to reduce racial bias, and more! hershey, nordstrom, black lgbtq community, trans, black-owned brands, trans rights, rei, gabrielle union-wade, the folklore group, naacp image awards, dwan wade false full 31 481af66f-5744-4795-8477-df630e19c757 Square Holes with Rhonda Payne Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. The South Korean high court ruled that same-sex couples in the country are entitled to the same national health benefits as their opposite-sex counterparts.
  2. Emmy Award-winning costume designer and Beyonce’s former stylist Zerina Akers partnered with Barbie to create a collection of dolls that are icons of Black culture
  3. Home Depot became the latest company with a major front-line workforce to increase its minimum wage to at least $15/hour.
  4. Seattle became the first U.S. city to ban caste discrimination
  5. Amazon Instant Video has just become the first streaming service to use Bluetooth to connect the tv’s sound directly to the cochlear implant, making it a much better viewing experience for the person with hearing loss.

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-square-holes

To learn more about Rhonda and Flock Theory, visit: https://flocktheory.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 28 Feb 2023 18:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Rhonda Payne, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-square-holes-aB33bL_h Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. The South Korean high court ruled that same-sex couples in the country are entitled to the same national health benefits as their opposite-sex counterparts.
  2. Emmy Award-winning costume designer and Beyonce’s former stylist Zerina Akers partnered with Barbie to create a collection of dolls that are icons of Black culture
  3. Home Depot became the latest company with a major front-line workforce to increase its minimum wage to at least $15/hour.
  4. Seattle became the first U.S. city to ban caste discrimination
  5. Amazon Instant Video has just become the first streaming service to use Bluetooth to connect the tv’s sound directly to the cochlear implant, making it a much better viewing experience for the person with hearing loss.

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-square-holes

To learn more about Rhonda and Flock Theory, visit: https://flocktheory.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Square Holes with Rhonda Payne Rhonda Payne, Bernadette Smith 00:27:52 Rhonda Payne, CAE, CEO + Founder of Flock Theory, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Same-Sex rights in South Korea, Home Depot spending $1 Billion dollars to raise hourly employee wages, and more! Rhonda Payne, CAE, CEO + Founder of Flock Theory, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Same-Sex rights in South Korea, Home Depot spending $1 Billion dollars to raise hourly employee wages, and more! caste discrimination, lgbtq+ healthcare, south korea, minimum wage, home depot, hearing loss, amazon, zerina akers, barbie false full 30 9ac45638-a242-4525-82f9-04207c967d6d 5 Things In 15 Minutes / Trust This week I attended the 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer Executive Insights event. The Trust Barometer is an annual global trust and credibility study that measures trust across society. I’ve used their data in my work over the years so I was surprised to learn this year that the business was named as the most trusted institution. Business is trusted more than non-governmental organizations, the media, and the government – and the only of those institutions rated both ethical and competent. 55% of Americans trust businesses. And while this isn’t a large majority, overall, trust has increased across all demographics.

The study also revealed that while economic anxieties, a class divide, and the spread of misinformation have led to increased polarization, the place people feel safest to talk about societal issues is the workplace. Why? Because they generally expect people to behave. Very interesting. Has that been your experience?

The Trust Barometer also reveals that over 60% of your customers and employees are asking businesses to take a stand on societal issues. I believe this is good vibes indeed – the opportunity here for businesses to build upon this already growing trust can be transformative for any organization.

Here are the other good vibes I found this week:

2. ASL Performer Justina Miles Stole the Show at Super Bowl Lvii

3. Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair

4. Spain Becomes the First Country in Europe to Approve Menstrual Leave

5.  Spain Gives Final Approval to Law Making It Easier to Legally Change Gender

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-trust

To learn more about Crystal and her book, visit: https://www.crystallily.co/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 21 Feb 2023 18:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Crystal Whiteaker, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-trust-Q5VKcQL4 This week I attended the 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer Executive Insights event. The Trust Barometer is an annual global trust and credibility study that measures trust across society. I’ve used their data in my work over the years so I was surprised to learn this year that the business was named as the most trusted institution. Business is trusted more than non-governmental organizations, the media, and the government – and the only of those institutions rated both ethical and competent. 55% of Americans trust businesses. And while this isn’t a large majority, overall, trust has increased across all demographics.

The study also revealed that while economic anxieties, a class divide, and the spread of misinformation have led to increased polarization, the place people feel safest to talk about societal issues is the workplace. Why? Because they generally expect people to behave. Very interesting. Has that been your experience?

The Trust Barometer also reveals that over 60% of your customers and employees are asking businesses to take a stand on societal issues. I believe this is good vibes indeed – the opportunity here for businesses to build upon this already growing trust can be transformative for any organization.

Here are the other good vibes I found this week:

2. ASL Performer Justina Miles Stole the Show at Super Bowl Lvii

3. Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair

4. Spain Becomes the First Country in Europe to Approve Menstrual Leave

5.  Spain Gives Final Approval to Law Making It Easier to Legally Change Gender

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-trust

To learn more about Crystal and her book, visit: https://www.crystallily.co/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things In 15 Minutes / Trust Crystal Whiteaker, Bernadette Smith 00:17:26 Crystal Whiteaker, Inclusive Leadership Consultant and author of Brave Leadership is a Choice: An Inclusive Guide to Creating Belonging, and our CEO, Bernadette Smith recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about the ASL performer, Justina, stealing the Super Bowl Halftime Show, companies working to end natural hair discrimination, and more! Crystal Whiteaker, Inclusive Leadership Consultant and author of Brave Leadership is a Choice: An Inclusive Guide to Creating Belonging, and our CEO, Bernadette Smith recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about the ASL performer, Justina, stealing the Super Bowl Halftime Show, companies working to end natural hair discrimination, and more! asl, spain, trans laws, natural hair, menstrual leave, dove, justina miles, super bowl false full 29 65fb2fdd-cf36-48d8-a76b-c6fe1b1836ec 5 Things In 15 Minutes / Always Intersectional This week I spoke with a few clients to discuss the workshop series for 2023. What impressed me most was the care to ensure a variety of diverse identities were represented in the content and presenters. In fact, on one call, I was joined by leaders from the LGBTQ+, Women’s, and Black Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to discuss a series of workshops that thoughtfully included all identities.

The Human Rights Campaign recently released their criteria for the 2023 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). Part of the revised criteria is about ensuring that employee training is intersectional. Intersectionality is a big word and was coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, who describes it as, “We tend to talk about race inequality as separate from inequality based on gender, class, sexuality or immigrant status. What’s often missing is how some people are subject to all of these, and the experience is not just the sum of its parts.”

I really do believe that intersectionality has become more than a buzzword. Equitable programs, policies, processes, and partnerships must be intentionally intersectional. That means asking questions like “What can we do to make this a great [hiring process, onboarding process, customer experience, conference… etc] for a Black, transgender woman with a disability?” Because if you can make the organization a great place for her, it will be a great place for everyone. (This concept is adapted from the book Unleashed)

Keep intersectionality in mind when you’re booking speakers for events (DEI or non-DEI events). We have some great folks on our team with fascinating stories to tell, and I can personally refer you to some fantastic speaker friends.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Meet Chelsea -- The First Barbie With Scoliosis
  2. ‘We Need to Stop Viewing Employees as Merely Resources and Start Treating Humans as Valued People.’
  3. Mellody Hobson Has An Ingenious Idea To Narrow The Wealth Gap
  4. & 5. Artists Made History At The 2023 GRAMMYs

This week’s call to action:

More Black History Month resources – check out this Black American History Crash Course, a series of short (~12 minutes each) animated videos on YouTube: Black American History Playlist

To learn more about Elena, visit her website at: https://www.elenajoyexperience.com/

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-always-intersectional

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Wed, 15 Feb 2023 14:53:28 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Elena Joy Thurston, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-always-intersectional-hMaxi2Ev This week I spoke with a few clients to discuss the workshop series for 2023. What impressed me most was the care to ensure a variety of diverse identities were represented in the content and presenters. In fact, on one call, I was joined by leaders from the LGBTQ+, Women’s, and Black Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to discuss a series of workshops that thoughtfully included all identities.

The Human Rights Campaign recently released their criteria for the 2023 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). Part of the revised criteria is about ensuring that employee training is intersectional. Intersectionality is a big word and was coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, who describes it as, “We tend to talk about race inequality as separate from inequality based on gender, class, sexuality or immigrant status. What’s often missing is how some people are subject to all of these, and the experience is not just the sum of its parts.”

I really do believe that intersectionality has become more than a buzzword. Equitable programs, policies, processes, and partnerships must be intentionally intersectional. That means asking questions like “What can we do to make this a great [hiring process, onboarding process, customer experience, conference… etc] for a Black, transgender woman with a disability?” Because if you can make the organization a great place for her, it will be a great place for everyone. (This concept is adapted from the book Unleashed)

Keep intersectionality in mind when you’re booking speakers for events (DEI or non-DEI events). We have some great folks on our team with fascinating stories to tell, and I can personally refer you to some fantastic speaker friends.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Meet Chelsea -- The First Barbie With Scoliosis
  2. ‘We Need to Stop Viewing Employees as Merely Resources and Start Treating Humans as Valued People.’
  3. Mellody Hobson Has An Ingenious Idea To Narrow The Wealth Gap
  4. & 5. Artists Made History At The 2023 GRAMMYs

This week’s call to action:

More Black History Month resources – check out this Black American History Crash Course, a series of short (~12 minutes each) animated videos on YouTube: Black American History Playlist

To learn more about Elena, visit her website at: https://www.elenajoyexperience.com/

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-always-intersectional

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things In 15 Minutes / Always Intersectional Elena Joy Thurston, Bernadette Smith 00:17:26 Elena Joy Thurston, Founder and Director of Elena Joy Experience, and I will recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about the first Barbie with Scoliosis, closing the racial wealth gap with Project Black, and more! Elena Joy Thurston, Founder and Director of Elena Joy Experience, and I will recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about the first Barbie with Scoliosis, closing the racial wealth gap with Project Black, and more! kim petras, dei, project black, sam smith, racial wealth gap, greenhouse software, black owned businesses, global passport, barbie, grammys false full 28 14b37e9a-f7d9-4633-86ec-7fd2d148e473 5 Things In 15 Minutes / Always Assuming I originally started this newsletter with a story about a mistaken assumption I made but my editor told me, “It comes across to me like you are downplaying biases… and I think this also shows your privilege that you don't have to deal with biased situations as others do.”

I’m here for accountability. It’s my job to keep my team both diverse and psychologically safe where each person feels comfortable expressing constructive feedback directly to me. I’m always still learning – and yes, I still have mistaken assumptions. 

A few weeks ago, I had a sales conversation with a medical professional who told me about a recent time in which an “older, white doctor from the South Suburbs” misgendered a transgender patient. My mind painted a picture of that doctor. I asked, “Did the patient file a complaint against him?” Turns out the doctor is a woman. I was embarrassed about that mistaken assumption in front of a potential client.

It’s remarkable. All the work I do, and my assumptions and biases still show up. My privilege still shows up. And if it shows up for me, I’m sure it shows up for you as well. But the more we talk about it, the more we can interrupt it.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. New D.C. Strip Mall Is Dedicated To Black-Owned Businesses
  2. President Biden Signs Cantwell-Capito Equal Pay Bill Into Law
  3. North Carolina Updates License Plate Rules & the Roads Just Got a Whole Lot Gayer
  4. Chipotle Plans to Hire 15,000 Restaurant Workers as It Plans Double in Size to 7,000 Restaurants in the Coming Years
  5. You Can Now Add Top-Surgery Scars, Binders, and Hearing Aids to Your ‘Sims’ Characters

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-always-assuming

To learn more about Stan, visit his site here: https://www.totalengagementconsulting.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 7 Feb 2023 18:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Stan Kimer, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-always-assuming-Dbek88y9 I originally started this newsletter with a story about a mistaken assumption I made but my editor told me, “It comes across to me like you are downplaying biases… and I think this also shows your privilege that you don't have to deal with biased situations as others do.”

I’m here for accountability. It’s my job to keep my team both diverse and psychologically safe where each person feels comfortable expressing constructive feedback directly to me. I’m always still learning – and yes, I still have mistaken assumptions. 

A few weeks ago, I had a sales conversation with a medical professional who told me about a recent time in which an “older, white doctor from the South Suburbs” misgendered a transgender patient. My mind painted a picture of that doctor. I asked, “Did the patient file a complaint against him?” Turns out the doctor is a woman. I was embarrassed about that mistaken assumption in front of a potential client.

It’s remarkable. All the work I do, and my assumptions and biases still show up. My privilege still shows up. And if it shows up for me, I’m sure it shows up for you as well. But the more we talk about it, the more we can interrupt it.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. New D.C. Strip Mall Is Dedicated To Black-Owned Businesses
  2. President Biden Signs Cantwell-Capito Equal Pay Bill Into Law
  3. North Carolina Updates License Plate Rules & the Roads Just Got a Whole Lot Gayer
  4. Chipotle Plans to Hire 15,000 Restaurant Workers as It Plans Double in Size to 7,000 Restaurants in the Coming Years
  5. You Can Now Add Top-Surgery Scars, Binders, and Hearing Aids to Your ‘Sims’ Characters

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-always-assuming

To learn more about Stan, visit his site here: https://www.totalengagementconsulting.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things In 15 Minutes / Always Assuming Stan Kimer, Bernadette Smith 00:18:30 Stan Kimer, President and Owner at Total Engagement Consulting by Kimer, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Chipotle keeping their promises, inclusive characters in Sims 4, and more! Stan Kimer, President and Owner at Total Engagement Consulting by Kimer, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Chipotle keeping their promises, inclusive characters in Sims 4, and more! trans, dei, north carolina, president biden, black-owned businesses, chipotle, sims, bipoc false full 27 7f0979b3-e7ea-44de-9d3c-9938117b66d8 5 Things In 15 Minutes / The Tech Earlier this week I was at the law firm Jenner & Block for an event. As I was attaching my lavalier mic, the tech said, referring to me, “she’s a pro [with the mic].” Seconds later, the tech came back and said, “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to assume your gender.” I responded with, “No worries! You guessed right. Thank you.”

I found this whole exchange startling in a good way. I even told the story to the group, applauding the firm for giving all of their employees the tools to be LGBTQ-inclusive. I was so impressed by the tech’s self-awareness and willingness to apologize for something I hadn’t given a moment’s thought to. It was also a “no big deal” moment, in that there wasn’t a giant discussion – moments of inclusion can be quick and straightforward.

My pronouns are she/her and even when I’m not somewhere they’re on display, people generally get it right. In the work world, we haven’t gotten to a critical mass sharing of pronouns. It’s not quite normalized. We’re working on it. That’s why it’s really inspiring to watch that work being done, to experience someone apologizing for something that’s not yet normalized, apologizing for something that didn’t bother me one bit. Because I’m cisgender, and I have the privilege that comes with it.

I’m celebrating the small wins because that’s how we build momentum for the big stuff. Let’s do this! 

Here are the other good vibes I found this week:

         2. Bank of America Making Big Moves With Avoiding Layoffs, BIPOC Leadership, and More         
         3. The State Department is ditching Times New Roman for Calibri
         4. Welcome Corps, A New Refugee Resettlement Program
         5.  Businesses Pledge to Support Divorcing Employees

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-the-tech

Learn more about Cherie Price, President of the Illinois Diversity Council here!

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 31 Jan 2023 18:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Cherie Price, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-the-tech-w94qdAkA Earlier this week I was at the law firm Jenner & Block for an event. As I was attaching my lavalier mic, the tech said, referring to me, “she’s a pro [with the mic].” Seconds later, the tech came back and said, “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to assume your gender.” I responded with, “No worries! You guessed right. Thank you.”

I found this whole exchange startling in a good way. I even told the story to the group, applauding the firm for giving all of their employees the tools to be LGBTQ-inclusive. I was so impressed by the tech’s self-awareness and willingness to apologize for something I hadn’t given a moment’s thought to. It was also a “no big deal” moment, in that there wasn’t a giant discussion – moments of inclusion can be quick and straightforward.

My pronouns are she/her and even when I’m not somewhere they’re on display, people generally get it right. In the work world, we haven’t gotten to a critical mass sharing of pronouns. It’s not quite normalized. We’re working on it. That’s why it’s really inspiring to watch that work being done, to experience someone apologizing for something that’s not yet normalized, apologizing for something that didn’t bother me one bit. Because I’m cisgender, and I have the privilege that comes with it.

I’m celebrating the small wins because that’s how we build momentum for the big stuff. Let’s do this! 

Here are the other good vibes I found this week:

         2. Bank of America Making Big Moves With Avoiding Layoffs, BIPOC Leadership, and More         
         3. The State Department is ditching Times New Roman for Calibri
         4. Welcome Corps, A New Refugee Resettlement Program
         5.  Businesses Pledge to Support Divorcing Employees

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-the-tech

Learn more about Cherie Price, President of the Illinois Diversity Council here!

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things In 15 Minutes / The Tech Cherie Price, Bernadette Smith 00:17:00 Cherie Price, President of the Illinois Diversity Council, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about divorcing employees receiving support at work, the State Department addressing accessibility issues, and more! Cherie Price, President of the Illinois Diversity Council, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about divorcing employees receiving support at work, the State Department addressing accessibility issues, and more! accessibility issues, minimum wage, avoiding layoffs, refugee resettlement program, bipoc leadership false full 26 13fbe598-95cb-4a7a-b815-b4dcc7c0b9fb 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Always Empathy This week I delivered a keynote and I had a question from a manager who was struggling with an employee who was disrupting the team with negativity and hate.

I believe it always comes back to empathy, in this case, the manager having empathy for that employee. Whether we’re talking about conversations about politics or race, or whatever, inclusion always comes back to empathy. After all, I only know my lived experience, and it’s been full of privilege.

My mom used to say, “You can't understand someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes” – and I think that message is still accurate.

What I believe is that each of us was born a pure kind soul, and then life happened. Maybe we felt left out from our older siblings or cousins. Maybe someone at school called us a name, and that was the first time we knew we were different. Maybe there was addiction in the family. Maybe grandma was the parental figure because the actual parent was in prison due to mass incarceration. Any of the above. And worse. We’re all walking around with our baggage, our Traumas big and little. It’s been said that hurt people hurt people. Just trying to protect ourselves.

It can be incredibly hard to be empathetic, especially if we find ourselves in fight or flight mode. That’s where mindfulness comes in. Breathe, breathe, breathe. I’m working on this myself. Always a work in progress.

From that empathetic space, we can become more curious about what’s going on, and then lead with compassion. That’s how people change behavior.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. How the MCA Chicago Transformed Its Collection at Unprecedented Speed to Better Reflect Its Audience
  2. Reviving Sales at Kay and Zales: How Signet CEO Gina Drosos Pulled America’s Biggest Jeweler Out of a Long Slump
  3. Vancity Employees Will Receive $10K in Mental Health Coverage Starting July 1, 2023
  4. Publicis Groupe’s CEO Has Launched an Initiative to Remove the Stigma of Working with Cancer
  5. L'oréal Made A Handheld, Motorized Device That Helps People With Disabilities Apply Lipstick. It's Meant To Give Users Independence

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-always-empathy

To learn more about Lee Rubin, visit: https://www.leerubin.org/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 24 Jan 2023 18:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Lee Rubin, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-always-empathy-t33m5KCp This week I delivered a keynote and I had a question from a manager who was struggling with an employee who was disrupting the team with negativity and hate.

I believe it always comes back to empathy, in this case, the manager having empathy for that employee. Whether we’re talking about conversations about politics or race, or whatever, inclusion always comes back to empathy. After all, I only know my lived experience, and it’s been full of privilege.

My mom used to say, “You can't understand someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes” – and I think that message is still accurate.

What I believe is that each of us was born a pure kind soul, and then life happened. Maybe we felt left out from our older siblings or cousins. Maybe someone at school called us a name, and that was the first time we knew we were different. Maybe there was addiction in the family. Maybe grandma was the parental figure because the actual parent was in prison due to mass incarceration. Any of the above. And worse. We’re all walking around with our baggage, our Traumas big and little. It’s been said that hurt people hurt people. Just trying to protect ourselves.

It can be incredibly hard to be empathetic, especially if we find ourselves in fight or flight mode. That’s where mindfulness comes in. Breathe, breathe, breathe. I’m working on this myself. Always a work in progress.

From that empathetic space, we can become more curious about what’s going on, and then lead with compassion. That’s how people change behavior.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. How the MCA Chicago Transformed Its Collection at Unprecedented Speed to Better Reflect Its Audience
  2. Reviving Sales at Kay and Zales: How Signet CEO Gina Drosos Pulled America’s Biggest Jeweler Out of a Long Slump
  3. Vancity Employees Will Receive $10K in Mental Health Coverage Starting July 1, 2023
  4. Publicis Groupe’s CEO Has Launched an Initiative to Remove the Stigma of Working with Cancer
  5. L'oréal Made A Handheld, Motorized Device That Helps People With Disabilities Apply Lipstick. It's Meant To Give Users Independence

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-always-empathy

To learn more about Lee Rubin, visit: https://www.leerubin.org/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Always Empathy Lee Rubin, Bernadette Smith 00:16:10 Lee Rubin, Corporate Diversity Consultant at Lee Rubin Consulting LLP, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about L'oréal's motorized lipstick device for people with disabilities, removing the stigma of working with mental health support and coverage at work, and more! Lee Rubin, Corporate Diversity Consultant at Lee Rubin Consulting LLP, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about L'oréal's motorized lipstick device for people with disabilities, removing the stigma of working with mental health support and coverage at work, and more! kay jewelers, zales, dei, mental health, black female artists, l'oréal, mca chicago, vancity, publicis groupe, the museum of contemporary art chicago false full 25 0543a420-35b3-44fe-8552-11c3f4fec9b0 5 Things in 15 Minutes / 5 Ways Happy new year! I hope this year is a wonderful one for you, personally and professionally. As always, I’m optimistic that we’re all on the right side of history. I’ll keep sharing the good vibes with you every week and cheer you on along on this DEI journey.

Lately, I’ve had some conversations with people who’ve shared with me how they’ve been using 5 Things. You’re a creative bunch! I can’t tell you how happy it makes me that 5 Things resonates with you, and that you actually use it.

Here are 5 ways you can use 5 Things:

  • Bring it to a weekly team meeting and choose an item to discuss as part of the agenda
  • Share a story from 5 Things in your internal DEI newsletter
  • Bring one idea from 5 Things to each DEI Council meeting for discussion
  • Share it with someone you’d like to reconnect with - tell them that you saw this and thought of them
  • Test some things out! If you see a story that sounds like something that could work at your org, then get the right people in the room to figure out how to make it happen.

My word of the year is deepen and that includes deepening my relationships with any of you. In part, that means that I’m going to start sharing these 5 Things daily on TikTok…you can find me over there @5ThingsDEI. Doing this makes me very uncomfortable, but I’m doing it anyway because the world needs these messages.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Hershey Launches 1st Bilingual Manufacturing Facility
  2. 911 Dispatchers in Montreal Are Learning to Stop It Racial Bias Calls
  3. West Point Will Remove Confederate Symbols from Its Campus
  4. The White House Gets Its Own Menorah for the First Time
  5. The Ex Manifesto; The Definitions, the Values, and the Principles of Ex and Ex Design 

Read the full blog here.

To learn more about Minette, visit her website: www.minettenorman.com

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 10 Jan 2023 18:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Minette Norman, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-5-ways-I_H_EOex Happy new year! I hope this year is a wonderful one for you, personally and professionally. As always, I’m optimistic that we’re all on the right side of history. I’ll keep sharing the good vibes with you every week and cheer you on along on this DEI journey.

Lately, I’ve had some conversations with people who’ve shared with me how they’ve been using 5 Things. You’re a creative bunch! I can’t tell you how happy it makes me that 5 Things resonates with you, and that you actually use it.

Here are 5 ways you can use 5 Things:

  • Bring it to a weekly team meeting and choose an item to discuss as part of the agenda
  • Share a story from 5 Things in your internal DEI newsletter
  • Bring one idea from 5 Things to each DEI Council meeting for discussion
  • Share it with someone you’d like to reconnect with - tell them that you saw this and thought of them
  • Test some things out! If you see a story that sounds like something that could work at your org, then get the right people in the room to figure out how to make it happen.

My word of the year is deepen and that includes deepening my relationships with any of you. In part, that means that I’m going to start sharing these 5 Things daily on TikTok…you can find me over there @5ThingsDEI. Doing this makes me very uncomfortable, but I’m doing it anyway because the world needs these messages.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Hershey Launches 1st Bilingual Manufacturing Facility
  2. 911 Dispatchers in Montreal Are Learning to Stop It Racial Bias Calls
  3. West Point Will Remove Confederate Symbols from Its Campus
  4. The White House Gets Its Own Menorah for the First Time
  5. The Ex Manifesto; The Definitions, the Values, and the Principles of Ex and Ex Design 

Read the full blog here.

To learn more about Minette, visit her website: www.minettenorman.com

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things in 15 Minutes / 5 Ways Minette Norman, Bernadette Smith 00:19:25 Welcome to the first 5 Things In 15 Minutes of 2023! Minette Norman, Founder and Principal of Minette Norman Consulting LLC, and I will recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about 911 Dispatchers training to detect racial bias, West Point removing all Confederate symbols, and more! Welcome to the first 5 Things In 15 Minutes of 2023! Minette Norman, Founder and Principal of Minette Norman Consulting LLC, and I will recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about 911 Dispatchers training to detect racial bias, West Point removing all Confederate symbols, and more! confederate symbols, hershey, bilingual manufacturing facility, dei, menorah, patagonia, west point, racial bias, airbnb, 911 dispatchers false full 24 0229ff3f-6f87-42d6-8993-42a74ce5d298 5 Things in 15 Minutes / The Year in Good Vibes This week I received a message from a former client: "Yippee for our marriages being codified into law!"

Some of you may know that I spent years as a wedding planner with an LGBTQ+ specialty and a speaker on inclusion in that industry. I started that business in 2004. I was so young! It's been nearly 19 years since the first legal same-sex marriage licenses were issued in Massachusetts -- and only NOW are those marriages — and interracial marriages – codified into federal law, thanks to the Respect for Marriage Act. Those marriages were allowed due to Supreme Court decisions, which could have potentially been challenged.

19 years of waiting for same-sex marriages; 55 years of waiting for interracial marriages to become officially official.

Still, I'll take it. I'll celebrate it. And here it is, in 5 Things.

I'll take progress towards equality in most forms. Progress, even with caveats, as this law has. More equity and inclusion that starts tomorrow, next year, or the year after.

In the new year, I’ll keep sharing 5 Things, and maybe one of these stories will inspire you to take the next step forward toward greater equity and inclusion.

Just start.

To cap off the year, I’m sharing what I found to be the top 5 good vibes of the year, that I predict will become more common and expected in years to come.

Here are my top 5 good vibes of the year:

  1. Hybrid Work Models
  2. Companies Speaking Out Against Injustice
  3. Awareness That Diversity Means Everyone
  4. Diversity in Sports
  5. Four-Day Workweeks Gain Momentum

Read the full blog here: www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-the-year-in-good-vibes

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 20 Dec 2022 18:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Rita Mays, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-the-year-in-good-vibes-6aG_vhLQ This week I received a message from a former client: "Yippee for our marriages being codified into law!"

Some of you may know that I spent years as a wedding planner with an LGBTQ+ specialty and a speaker on inclusion in that industry. I started that business in 2004. I was so young! It's been nearly 19 years since the first legal same-sex marriage licenses were issued in Massachusetts -- and only NOW are those marriages — and interracial marriages – codified into federal law, thanks to the Respect for Marriage Act. Those marriages were allowed due to Supreme Court decisions, which could have potentially been challenged.

19 years of waiting for same-sex marriages; 55 years of waiting for interracial marriages to become officially official.

Still, I'll take it. I'll celebrate it. And here it is, in 5 Things.

I'll take progress towards equality in most forms. Progress, even with caveats, as this law has. More equity and inclusion that starts tomorrow, next year, or the year after.

In the new year, I’ll keep sharing 5 Things, and maybe one of these stories will inspire you to take the next step forward toward greater equity and inclusion.

Just start.

To cap off the year, I’m sharing what I found to be the top 5 good vibes of the year, that I predict will become more common and expected in years to come.

Here are my top 5 good vibes of the year:

  1. Hybrid Work Models
  2. Companies Speaking Out Against Injustice
  3. Awareness That Diversity Means Everyone
  4. Diversity in Sports
  5. Four-Day Workweeks Gain Momentum

Read the full blog here: www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-the-year-in-good-vibes

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things in 15 Minutes / The Year in Good Vibes Rita Mays, Bernadette Smith 00:18:49 Rita Mays, Equality Institute Business Manager, and I recap the top 5 good vibes of 2022 in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about the good vibes that I predict will become more common and expected in years to come. Rita Mays, Equality Institute Business Manager, and I recap the top 5 good vibes of 2022 in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about the good vibes that I predict will become more common and expected in years to come. diversity in sports, dei, diversity, equality institute, hybrid work models, injustice, four-day workweeks, 2023 false full 23 82a466b6-613c-4317-a504-12d7256085ce 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Not DEI I had a conversation this week with a very kind senior DEI leader who wanted to help me help the company. They gave me some words to say that they thought might help get buy-in from the boss. This person encouraged me to pitch our Inclusive 360 Assessment as an “organizational improvement methodology”, not DEI. Our future work together as “change management”, not DEI.

All of this is true because our assessment examines the systems for gaps in equity and inclusion. What it delivers is a roadmap for meaningful systemic change and organizational improvement. 

Not DEI. I’ve found that a lot of the organizations I speak to aren’t quite invested enough for “organizational improvement”, beyond changing the way they hire. We deliver a lot of workshops and keynotes to help establish that readiness, but those workshops are mostly about behavior change. About people. While that’s great, I know that will only move the needle so far.

Lily Zheng recently wrote about this in HBR – To Avoid DEI Backlash, Focus on Changing Systems — Not People. Organizational improvement, change management, systemic change, whatever you want to call it. We’re here for it. 

Have you found that you've had to change your messaging around DEI to get buy-in?

Here are the good vibes I found this week:\

  1. A Colorado Ski Resort Is Opening a Day Care For Employees—and It Could Provide a Blueprint to Help Solve the Childcare Crisis
  2. Brown University Bans Caste Discrimination Throughout Campus in a First for the Ivy League
  3. Ava DuVernay Becomes the First Black Woman on a Ben & Jerry's Pint with New Caramel Flavor
  4. A Hundred UK Companies Sign Up for Four-Day Week with No Loss of Pay\
  5. Anti-racism: When You Picture Doctors Without Borders, What Do You See? 

Read the full blog here: www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-not-dei

To learn more about Gena Cox, please visit https://genacox.com/about/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 13 Dec 2022 20:00:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Gena Cox, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-not-dei-6eoPdu4o I had a conversation this week with a very kind senior DEI leader who wanted to help me help the company. They gave me some words to say that they thought might help get buy-in from the boss. This person encouraged me to pitch our Inclusive 360 Assessment as an “organizational improvement methodology”, not DEI. Our future work together as “change management”, not DEI.

All of this is true because our assessment examines the systems for gaps in equity and inclusion. What it delivers is a roadmap for meaningful systemic change and organizational improvement. 

Not DEI. I’ve found that a lot of the organizations I speak to aren’t quite invested enough for “organizational improvement”, beyond changing the way they hire. We deliver a lot of workshops and keynotes to help establish that readiness, but those workshops are mostly about behavior change. About people. While that’s great, I know that will only move the needle so far.

Lily Zheng recently wrote about this in HBR – To Avoid DEI Backlash, Focus on Changing Systems — Not People. Organizational improvement, change management, systemic change, whatever you want to call it. We’re here for it. 

Have you found that you've had to change your messaging around DEI to get buy-in?

Here are the good vibes I found this week:\

  1. A Colorado Ski Resort Is Opening a Day Care For Employees—and It Could Provide a Blueprint to Help Solve the Childcare Crisis
  2. Brown University Bans Caste Discrimination Throughout Campus in a First for the Ivy League
  3. Ava DuVernay Becomes the First Black Woman on a Ben & Jerry's Pint with New Caramel Flavor
  4. A Hundred UK Companies Sign Up for Four-Day Week with No Loss of Pay\
  5. Anti-racism: When You Picture Doctors Without Borders, What Do You See? 

Read the full blog here: www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-not-dei

To learn more about Gena Cox, please visit https://genacox.com/about/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Not DEI Gena Cox, Bernadette Smith 00:23:35 Gena Cox, Ph.D., Author of hashtag#LeadingInclusion, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about the first black female on a Ben & Jerry's pint, Doctors Without Borders taking responsibility for the white saviorism marketing, and more! Gena Cox, Ph.D., Author of hashtag#LeadingInclusion, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about the first black female on a Ben & Jerry's pint, Doctors Without Borders taking responsibility for the white saviorism marketing, and more! caste discrimination, dei, doctors without borders, brown university, ava duvernay, ben & jerry's, anti-racism, ivy league false full 22 d1fe177f-5534-4a59-8927-75216986bb74 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Going First Recently, I’ve been thinking about the topic of vulnerability. We’ve been told that vulnerability in teams and in groups can unlock greatness. That it creates connection, establishes trust, and can lead to everyone doing their best work.

Here’s the thing about vulnerability that I think gets forgotten: somebody has to go first.

That's what's on my mind these days.

Life can be intense. And it can be exhausting pretending it's not. It feels so much better to have people cheering us on.

But somebody has to go first. Continue reading on LinkedIn…

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Airbnb Makes It Easier to Find Wheelchair-Friendly Homes
  2. Sensory-Friendly Santa Coming To Hundreds Of Locations Nationwide
  3. WHO Renames Monkeypox as Mpox, Citing Racist Stigma
  4. Miami Marlins Become First U.S. Sports Franchise With Women As President And General Manager
  5. Colorado Springs Police Said They Made an Effort Not to Misgender Club Q Victims. Here’s Why That Matters 

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-going-first

Learn more about Lisa M. Ong here: https://www.wishingoutloud.com/
 

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 6 Dec 2022 18:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Lisa M. Ong, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-going-first-pwBSqlbe Recently, I’ve been thinking about the topic of vulnerability. We’ve been told that vulnerability in teams and in groups can unlock greatness. That it creates connection, establishes trust, and can lead to everyone doing their best work.

Here’s the thing about vulnerability that I think gets forgotten: somebody has to go first.

That's what's on my mind these days.

Life can be intense. And it can be exhausting pretending it's not. It feels so much better to have people cheering us on.

But somebody has to go first. Continue reading on LinkedIn…

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Airbnb Makes It Easier to Find Wheelchair-Friendly Homes
  2. Sensory-Friendly Santa Coming To Hundreds Of Locations Nationwide
  3. WHO Renames Monkeypox as Mpox, Citing Racist Stigma
  4. Miami Marlins Become First U.S. Sports Franchise With Women As President And General Manager
  5. Colorado Springs Police Said They Made an Effort Not to Misgender Club Q Victims. Here’s Why That Matters 

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-going-first

Learn more about Lisa M. Ong here: https://www.wishingoutloud.com/
 

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Going First Lisa M. Ong, Bernadette Smith 00:16:14 Lisa M. Ong, Speaker, Founder of Wishing Out Loud LLC, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Sensory-Friendly Santas, wheelchair-friendly homes through Airbnb, and more! Lisa M. Ong, Speaker, Founder of Wishing Out Loud LLC, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Sensory-Friendly Santas, wheelchair-friendly homes through Airbnb, and more! miami marlins, wheelchair-friendly, racist stigma, who, dei, airbnb, colorado springs, sensory-friendly santa, mpox, club q false full 21 0a65e06a-d548-4ca6-a522-e9066c196607 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Remembrance Today our Senior Consultant Patti Flynn is joining me as a guest writer. 

This week was (and still is through today) Trans Awareness Week. This week culminates in the Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR) tomorrow, on November 20th. TDOR was started in 1999 by a transgender advocate as a vigil to the memory of Rita Hester who was killed in anti-transgender violence. The somber nature of the end of the week stands in contrast to the prior 7 days when trans people (and cisgender allies) educate and take action. We bring attention to and lift up the work of trans creators, celebrate the success of trans people in public life, and amplify the voices of trans advocates and activists. We show the world our shared humanity and I hope that leads to more acceptance and less discrimination.

Although my TDOR this year will be extra difficult as I say the name of a dear friend, I know that the example she provided to so many when she was with us here in Chicago resonates. Her advocacy and activism inspire my own, and that of many others. So, while we mourn those losses, we look forward to a brighter future. A future that is truly possible with some help from our (cis) friends.

There are ways that you can help as an ally. Find a vigil in your area and go to support those there grieving, keeping in mind that this event is by and for the trans community. Seek out information about anti-trans legislation in your state, or a neighboring state, and contact your representative to register your opposition, and encourage others to do the same. And lastly, educate yourself – watching the documentary “Disclosure” on Netflix is a good starting point. Or check out the GenderCool YouTube Channel for some inspiration.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. The First Female Crash Dummy Has Arrived
  2. How Stunning Images from Space Were Brought to Life for the Visually Impaired
  3. All-Terrain Wheelchairs Arrive at U.S. Parks: ‘This Is Life-Changing’
  4. & 5. Self-Expression Within Airline Uniform Standards

To learn more about Jess, visit: https://jesspettitt.com/

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-remembrance

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 29 Nov 2022 18:00:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Jessica Pettitt, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-remembrance-lYtf07p3 Today our Senior Consultant Patti Flynn is joining me as a guest writer. 

This week was (and still is through today) Trans Awareness Week. This week culminates in the Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR) tomorrow, on November 20th. TDOR was started in 1999 by a transgender advocate as a vigil to the memory of Rita Hester who was killed in anti-transgender violence. The somber nature of the end of the week stands in contrast to the prior 7 days when trans people (and cisgender allies) educate and take action. We bring attention to and lift up the work of trans creators, celebrate the success of trans people in public life, and amplify the voices of trans advocates and activists. We show the world our shared humanity and I hope that leads to more acceptance and less discrimination.

Although my TDOR this year will be extra difficult as I say the name of a dear friend, I know that the example she provided to so many when she was with us here in Chicago resonates. Her advocacy and activism inspire my own, and that of many others. So, while we mourn those losses, we look forward to a brighter future. A future that is truly possible with some help from our (cis) friends.

There are ways that you can help as an ally. Find a vigil in your area and go to support those there grieving, keeping in mind that this event is by and for the trans community. Seek out information about anti-trans legislation in your state, or a neighboring state, and contact your representative to register your opposition, and encourage others to do the same. And lastly, educate yourself – watching the documentary “Disclosure” on Netflix is a good starting point. Or check out the GenderCool YouTube Channel for some inspiration.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. The First Female Crash Dummy Has Arrived
  2. How Stunning Images from Space Were Brought to Life for the Visually Impaired
  3. All-Terrain Wheelchairs Arrive at U.S. Parks: ‘This Is Life-Changing’
  4. & 5. Self-Expression Within Airline Uniform Standards

To learn more about Jess, visit: https://jesspettitt.com/

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-remembrance

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Remembrance Jessica Pettitt, Bernadette Smith 00:17:46 Jessica Pettitt, Speaker, Consultant, and Author, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about the first female crash dummy, all-terrain wheelchairs, and more! Jessica Pettitt, Speaker, Consultant, and Author, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about the first female crash dummy, all-terrain wheelchairs, and more! british airways, trans, trans awareness week, virgin atlantic airways, visually impaired, all-terrain wheelchairs false full 20 668215be-66c8-46f7-9ad9-a7dfb27a6378 5 Things in 15 Minutes / 360 A new study from Boston College and the Society of Human Resources Management tells us that 65% of organizations believe DEI is important, yet 63% give little to no resources to DEI. This doesn’t surprise me. In my conversations with organizations, I find many who see DEI as an HR or L&D initiative. In other words, recruitment, and training. There are many DEI actions that can be taken that cost minimal external resources, such as policy changes and building inclusion nudges into process documentation. 

I’m a big believer in the 360 approach – beyond HR and L&D, which is why I wrote Inclusive 360 and built our assessment tool. Here’s a beautiful example of how an organization (this one with A LOT of resources!) can become Inclusive 360.

Last month, the David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center in New York reopened after major redesigns. The building was built on land formerly known as San Juan Hill, a low-income Black and Hispanic neighborhood with 7,000 families. That neighborhood was razed years ago as part of a racist “urban renewal” initiative. To correct historic wrongs, 42% of construction contracts for this massive redesign went to minority and women-owned businesses. They launched a robust training program, helping three dozen new construction workers get union cards. Lincoln Center itself increased its leadership diversity, with about 50% of leaders who are women and BIPOC. Finally, the debut concert for the reopening was a pay-what-you-can show called “San Juan Hill” celebrating the music and culture of the old neighborhood. All of this matters because it shows a 360 approach to equity and inclusion. A holistic approach is what’s necessary for true equity.

More good vibes I found this week:

2. Gay Racer Zach Herrin Made His Nascar Debut This Weekend

3. Fortune 500 Companies Tie Executive Compensations to ESG Performance

4 & 5. Several Major Companies Expand Workplace and Workweek Flexibility

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-360

To learn more about Julie and  Next Pivot Point, visit: https://nextpivotpoint.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 8 Nov 2022 18:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Julie Kratz, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-360-saHNyJnN A new study from Boston College and the Society of Human Resources Management tells us that 65% of organizations believe DEI is important, yet 63% give little to no resources to DEI. This doesn’t surprise me. In my conversations with organizations, I find many who see DEI as an HR or L&D initiative. In other words, recruitment, and training. There are many DEI actions that can be taken that cost minimal external resources, such as policy changes and building inclusion nudges into process documentation. 

I’m a big believer in the 360 approach – beyond HR and L&D, which is why I wrote Inclusive 360 and built our assessment tool. Here’s a beautiful example of how an organization (this one with A LOT of resources!) can become Inclusive 360.

Last month, the David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center in New York reopened after major redesigns. The building was built on land formerly known as San Juan Hill, a low-income Black and Hispanic neighborhood with 7,000 families. That neighborhood was razed years ago as part of a racist “urban renewal” initiative. To correct historic wrongs, 42% of construction contracts for this massive redesign went to minority and women-owned businesses. They launched a robust training program, helping three dozen new construction workers get union cards. Lincoln Center itself increased its leadership diversity, with about 50% of leaders who are women and BIPOC. Finally, the debut concert for the reopening was a pay-what-you-can show called “San Juan Hill” celebrating the music and culture of the old neighborhood. All of this matters because it shows a 360 approach to equity and inclusion. A holistic approach is what’s necessary for true equity.

More good vibes I found this week:

2. Gay Racer Zach Herrin Made His Nascar Debut This Weekend

3. Fortune 500 Companies Tie Executive Compensations to ESG Performance

4 & 5. Several Major Companies Expand Workplace and Workweek Flexibility

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-360

To learn more about Julie and  Next Pivot Point, visit: https://nextpivotpoint.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things in 15 Minutes / 360 Julie Kratz, Bernadette Smith 00:15:41 Julie Kratz, Inclusive Leadership Trainer and Founder of Next Pivot Point, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about NASCAR's first out gay driver, corporate flexibility for workers, and more! Julie Kratz, Inclusive Leadership Trainer and Founder of Next Pivot Point, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about NASCAR's first out gay driver, corporate flexibility for workers, and more! lincoln center, dei, phoenix pride, boston college, esg, four-day workweek, bipoc, nascar false full 19 3ae3637d-da81-4736-9e3f-f0f01eba9e27 5 Things in 15 Minutes / The DEI PSA When I’m prepping for a keynote, I love to spend time talking to the client about their DEI goals and current state. Between all these conversations, research for 5 Things, and research for my book, Inclusive 360, I think I figured out the winning formula for meaningful DEI progress: Purpose + Strategy + Accountability (PSA). 

It sounds simple but we all know it’s not easy. Let me break it down:

  • Purpose must be a people-first message that employees can rally around. Leaders should also share their own individual purposes.
  • Strategy must be holistic and organization-wide, not simply workshops and coaching, not simply hiring more underrepresented talent.
  • Accountability must be for all managers, or everyone, if you'd like, where engagement in or progress on DEI goals is a part of performance reviews.

Consider Purpose + Strategy + Accountability (PSA) as a three-legged stool that wobbles depending on what’s missing (a metaphor borrowed from the book Unleashed). In a short conversation with a client, that framework will allow our team to quickly identify the areas of opportunity that can move the needle most quickly. I love that we get to do this stuff!

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. LinkedIn Adds New Accessibility Features, Including Auto-Captions on Videos
  2. Software Helps Employers Fix Problematic Feedback Language Before It’s Delivered
  3. ‘The Whole Country Shines With a Huge Rainbow’: Same-Sex Marriage Legal in All Mexican States
  4. Diwali Will Be a Public School Holiday in New York City Starting in 2023
  5. Disney Expands Costume Options For Children With Disabilities

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-the-dei-psa

To learn more about Toby and his company, Mildon - visit: https://www.mildon.co.uk/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 1 Nov 2022 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Toby Mildon, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-the-dei-psa-Ci74qKAs When I’m prepping for a keynote, I love to spend time talking to the client about their DEI goals and current state. Between all these conversations, research for 5 Things, and research for my book, Inclusive 360, I think I figured out the winning formula for meaningful DEI progress: Purpose + Strategy + Accountability (PSA). 

It sounds simple but we all know it’s not easy. Let me break it down:

  • Purpose must be a people-first message that employees can rally around. Leaders should also share their own individual purposes.
  • Strategy must be holistic and organization-wide, not simply workshops and coaching, not simply hiring more underrepresented talent.
  • Accountability must be for all managers, or everyone, if you'd like, where engagement in or progress on DEI goals is a part of performance reviews.

Consider Purpose + Strategy + Accountability (PSA) as a three-legged stool that wobbles depending on what’s missing (a metaphor borrowed from the book Unleashed). In a short conversation with a client, that framework will allow our team to quickly identify the areas of opportunity that can move the needle most quickly. I love that we get to do this stuff!

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. LinkedIn Adds New Accessibility Features, Including Auto-Captions on Videos
  2. Software Helps Employers Fix Problematic Feedback Language Before It’s Delivered
  3. ‘The Whole Country Shines With a Huge Rainbow’: Same-Sex Marriage Legal in All Mexican States
  4. Diwali Will Be a Public School Holiday in New York City Starting in 2023
  5. Disney Expands Costume Options For Children With Disabilities

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-the-dei-psa

To learn more about Toby and his company, Mildon - visit: https://www.mildon.co.uk/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things in 15 Minutes / The DEI PSA Toby Mildon, Bernadette Smith 00:17:19 Toby Mildon, Diversity & Inclusion Architect and Founder of Mildon, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Same-sex marriage becoming legal in all Mexican States, Disney's costume expansion for children with disabilities, and more! Toby Mildon, Diversity & Inclusion Architect and Founder of Mildon, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Same-sex marriage becoming legal in all Mexican States, Disney's costume expansion for children with disabilities, and more! diwali, dei, disney, marriage equality, same sex marriage, linkedin, textio, accessibility features false full 18 0e9de07c-032c-4ae0-b48a-5716844337eb 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Justice Sotomayor This week my partner and I went to seeU.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor talk in Chicago. She answered most of her questions while walking through the audience, shaking hands, and signing books. The Justice approaches her work with an amazing amount of grace and gentleness and sees her greatest work as being a trailblazer for others. She’s written three children’s books and dedicates an astounding amount of time to speak with young people.

At no point were the words, “diversity, equity, and inclusion” spoken, but Justice Sotomayor shared some lessons that resonated with me as universal. She’s openly diabetic and shared a story about a time years ago when she was giving herself an insulin shot in a restaurant restroom. Another woman walked in, and later as Sotomayor was leaving, she overheard that woman say to her friend, “That woman is a drug addict” (referring to Sotomayor). The woman assumed that the insulin shot was drugs. That experience stuck with Justice Sotomayor and years later, she wrote a children’s book called “Just Ask” about how we shouldn’t make assumptions about others, and instead ask questions. Those of you who are familiar with my ARC Method know I wholeheartedly agree!

The Justice was also asked about the increasing polarization within our country and the Supreme Court. She emphasized empathy towards everybody, to take a moment to try to put ourselves in their shoes, to take their perspective. She seeks out the good in others, even those, or perhaps especially those, with whom she disagrees, and gave an example of Justice Clarence Thomas’ kindness.

Perhaps most importantly, Justice Sotomayor gave us a call to action: “What choice do we have but to keep trying to change things?’ Because if you feel disenfranchised and let other people fight for what they think is right and you’re not willing to get up and fight, then you are just giving it to them.”

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Anna May Wong Will Be 1st Asian American Featured on U.S. Currency
  2. You Can Now Buy Hearing Aids Over the Counter
  3. New Glassdoor Filters Enable Searches on Demographic Group Ratings and Interests Like Work Life Balance
  4. Social Security Administration Makes It Easier to Change Sex Marker in Records
  5. Bank of Ireland Offers Workers Paid Menopause Leave

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-justice-sotomayor

To learn more about Brian and Hummingbird Humanity, visit: https://hummingbirdhumanity.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 25 Oct 2022 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Brian McComak, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-justice-sotomayor-1MESJIUT This week my partner and I went to seeU.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor talk in Chicago. She answered most of her questions while walking through the audience, shaking hands, and signing books. The Justice approaches her work with an amazing amount of grace and gentleness and sees her greatest work as being a trailblazer for others. She’s written three children’s books and dedicates an astounding amount of time to speak with young people.

At no point were the words, “diversity, equity, and inclusion” spoken, but Justice Sotomayor shared some lessons that resonated with me as universal. She’s openly diabetic and shared a story about a time years ago when she was giving herself an insulin shot in a restaurant restroom. Another woman walked in, and later as Sotomayor was leaving, she overheard that woman say to her friend, “That woman is a drug addict” (referring to Sotomayor). The woman assumed that the insulin shot was drugs. That experience stuck with Justice Sotomayor and years later, she wrote a children’s book called “Just Ask” about how we shouldn’t make assumptions about others, and instead ask questions. Those of you who are familiar with my ARC Method know I wholeheartedly agree!

The Justice was also asked about the increasing polarization within our country and the Supreme Court. She emphasized empathy towards everybody, to take a moment to try to put ourselves in their shoes, to take their perspective. She seeks out the good in others, even those, or perhaps especially those, with whom she disagrees, and gave an example of Justice Clarence Thomas’ kindness.

Perhaps most importantly, Justice Sotomayor gave us a call to action: “What choice do we have but to keep trying to change things?’ Because if you feel disenfranchised and let other people fight for what they think is right and you’re not willing to get up and fight, then you are just giving it to them.”

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Anna May Wong Will Be 1st Asian American Featured on U.S. Currency
  2. You Can Now Buy Hearing Aids Over the Counter
  3. New Glassdoor Filters Enable Searches on Demographic Group Ratings and Interests Like Work Life Balance
  4. Social Security Administration Makes It Easier to Change Sex Marker in Records
  5. Bank of Ireland Offers Workers Paid Menopause Leave

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-justice-sotomayor

To learn more about Brian and Hummingbird Humanity, visit: https://hummingbirdhumanity.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Justice Sotomayor Brian McComak, Bernadette Smith 00:20:45 Brian McComak, CEO & Founder of Hummingbird Humanity, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about work-life balance, the 1st Asian American Featured on U.S. Currency, and more! Brian McComak, CEO & Founder of Hummingbird Humanity, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about work-life balance, the 1st Asian American Featured on U.S. Currency, and more! dei, glassdoor, hearing aids, menopause leave, justice sotomayor, bank of ireland, social security administration false full 17 c82cfa1f-e743-4278-b43b-299d91c6b29d 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Comparisonitis This week, I spent three days (and joyful evenings) with other thought leaders, each working to bring our new keynotes to life with the brilliant team at Heroic Public Speaking. I had a great week and did some fantastic work, but I started to feel a little down on myself once I left. I didn’t feel like writing this morning. Spending three days with other thought leaders can trigger comparisonitis (comparison syndrome). They have how many LinkedIn followers??!!

Any one of you could go to a conference of peers, or even read 5 Things and think, “That is such a cool thing that company X is doing…my company stinks and isn’t doing anything significant with DEI.” Or worse: ”They’re such a great leader…I stink compared to them…”

Comparisonitis. Comparison has been called the thief of joy – and it causes stagnation. I can’t fulfill my purpose to build a world where people feel safe to be authentically themselves if I let comparison drag me down. What I have to remind myself is that each step I take toward my vision matters.

Screw comparisonitis. There will always be those ahead of you and trust me, there will be many others just starting out. Each step you take towards more significant equity and inclusion matters – as an individual, and as an organization. Even simple things like intentionally connecting with people who are different from you, builds momentum that can be world-changing, and life-changing.

If you find yourself stuck because of comparisonitis or anything else, reply to this email. Seriously. I read every response and I’ll get back to you ASAP. Oh, and as much as I hate to admit it, external validation helps…so if you listen to the 5 Things in 15 Minutes podcast, will you do me a favor, rate, and review?

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Championing Authenticity and Equity: Inside and Outside of Yelp
  2. Walmart to Cover Fertility Treatments Under Insurance Plan
  3. How Employers Can Set Formerly Incarcerated Workers Up for Success
  4. The Who Says Gender-Affirming Care Is Essential to Transgender Health
  5. CVS Drops Prices on Its Tampons and Will Pay the ‘Pink Tax’

 

Read the full blog here

Click here to learn more about Simone and Your Choice Coach

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 18 Oct 2022 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Simone Sloan, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-comparisonitis-M4xjFFkQ This week, I spent three days (and joyful evenings) with other thought leaders, each working to bring our new keynotes to life with the brilliant team at Heroic Public Speaking. I had a great week and did some fantastic work, but I started to feel a little down on myself once I left. I didn’t feel like writing this morning. Spending three days with other thought leaders can trigger comparisonitis (comparison syndrome). They have how many LinkedIn followers??!!

Any one of you could go to a conference of peers, or even read 5 Things and think, “That is such a cool thing that company X is doing…my company stinks and isn’t doing anything significant with DEI.” Or worse: ”They’re such a great leader…I stink compared to them…”

Comparisonitis. Comparison has been called the thief of joy – and it causes stagnation. I can’t fulfill my purpose to build a world where people feel safe to be authentically themselves if I let comparison drag me down. What I have to remind myself is that each step I take toward my vision matters.

Screw comparisonitis. There will always be those ahead of you and trust me, there will be many others just starting out. Each step you take towards more significant equity and inclusion matters – as an individual, and as an organization. Even simple things like intentionally connecting with people who are different from you, builds momentum that can be world-changing, and life-changing.

If you find yourself stuck because of comparisonitis or anything else, reply to this email. Seriously. I read every response and I’ll get back to you ASAP. Oh, and as much as I hate to admit it, external validation helps…so if you listen to the 5 Things in 15 Minutes podcast, will you do me a favor, rate, and review?

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Championing Authenticity and Equity: Inside and Outside of Yelp
  2. Walmart to Cover Fertility Treatments Under Insurance Plan
  3. How Employers Can Set Formerly Incarcerated Workers Up for Success
  4. The Who Says Gender-Affirming Care Is Essential to Transgender Health
  5. CVS Drops Prices on Its Tampons and Will Pay the ‘Pink Tax’

 

Read the full blog here

Click here to learn more about Simone and Your Choice Coach

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Comparisonitis Simone Sloan, Bernadette Smith 00:13:46 Simone Sloan, Rph, MBA, Executive Coach, and DEI Consultant, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about CVS paying the 'pink tax', Yelp championing inclusive culture, and more! Simone Sloan, Rph, MBA, Executive Coach, and DEI Consultant, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about CVS paying the 'pink tax', Yelp championing inclusive culture, and more! yelp, cvs, pink tax, dei, walmart, transgender health, gender-affirming care, fertility treatments false full 16 2073815d-3436-439d-88e9-87355f9a022c 5 Things in 15 Minutes / National Hispanic Heritage Month We are in National Hispanic Heritage Month and I’d like to recommend some Latine folks for you to follow and/or hire all year long. Ingrid Harb is my guest on 5 Things in 15 Minutes this week. She’s a fabulous, connective speaker who also leads transformative in-person DEI experiences. You can follow Ingrid here and catch her on my podcast this week.

My friend, speaker Miguel Aviles-Perez is based in Puerto Rico, which remains in crisis once again due to the devastation of Hurricane Fiona. Much of the island still lacks power. Miguel is thoughtful and insightful and his energy is amazing! You can follow Miguel here.

Finally, we have a new team member here at Equality Institute, Erika Latines, who is a compelling and engaging facilitator and storyteller. You can read more about Erika here. She’s available for our new workshops True Colors and Just the Way You Are, as well as our bestseller, Voices Carry.

And if you’re looking for a great novel, I highly recommend the NYT bestseller Olga Dies Dreaming written by my old friend Xochitl Gonzalez. It’s a juicy novel set in NYC and Puerto Rico. I loved it.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Virgin Atlantic Announces Non-Gendered Uniform Policy
  2. Amazon, Hilton, and PepsiCo Among Nearly Four Dozen Major Companies That Commit To Hiring 22,000 Refugees
  3. Activision Blizzard launched a boot camp for industry outsiders
  4. California Job Postings Will Soon Include Pay Ranges Due to a New Salary Transparency Bill Signed Into Law
  5. First Neurodiversity-Focused Chamber of Commerce Launches in Colorado

Read the full blog here

Learn more about Ingrid and NOTA Inclusion here

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 4 Oct 2022 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Ingrid Harb, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-national-hispanic-heritage-month-vErKPaWM We are in National Hispanic Heritage Month and I’d like to recommend some Latine folks for you to follow and/or hire all year long. Ingrid Harb is my guest on 5 Things in 15 Minutes this week. She’s a fabulous, connective speaker who also leads transformative in-person DEI experiences. You can follow Ingrid here and catch her on my podcast this week.

My friend, speaker Miguel Aviles-Perez is based in Puerto Rico, which remains in crisis once again due to the devastation of Hurricane Fiona. Much of the island still lacks power. Miguel is thoughtful and insightful and his energy is amazing! You can follow Miguel here.

Finally, we have a new team member here at Equality Institute, Erika Latines, who is a compelling and engaging facilitator and storyteller. You can read more about Erika here. She’s available for our new workshops True Colors and Just the Way You Are, as well as our bestseller, Voices Carry.

And if you’re looking for a great novel, I highly recommend the NYT bestseller Olga Dies Dreaming written by my old friend Xochitl Gonzalez. It’s a juicy novel set in NYC and Puerto Rico. I loved it.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Virgin Atlantic Announces Non-Gendered Uniform Policy
  2. Amazon, Hilton, and PepsiCo Among Nearly Four Dozen Major Companies That Commit To Hiring 22,000 Refugees
  3. Activision Blizzard launched a boot camp for industry outsiders
  4. California Job Postings Will Soon Include Pay Ranges Due to a New Salary Transparency Bill Signed Into Law
  5. First Neurodiversity-Focused Chamber of Commerce Launches in Colorado

Read the full blog here

Learn more about Ingrid and NOTA Inclusion here

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things in 15 Minutes / National Hispanic Heritage Month Ingrid Harb, Bernadette Smith 00:23:59 Ingrid Harb, Founder of NOTA Inclusion, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about non-gendered uniform policies, salary transparency laws, and more! Ingrid Harb, Founder of NOTA Inclusion, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about non-gendered uniform policies, salary transparency laws, and more! virgin atlantic, non-gendered, neurodiversity, activision blizzard, salary transparency, refugees false full 15 5be1193e-d3f4-420d-91bd-565ad5f43d7b 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Recovery There was a recurring theme this week in my conversations with clients: how to recover after you’ve been called out or accidentally offended someone. Here’s the short answer: don't get dramatic. Apologize sincerely once without diminishing their experience. If you’re corrected, say thanks. Educate yourself, rather than asking them, so you can do better next time.

During an in-person keynote for a corporate client, I was asked a question that took the topic a step further. I was asked, “How much responsibility do I need to continue to take after I’ve offended someone when, after my sincere apology, they remain angry and/or aggressive?”

Here are a couple of guidelines: Remember you don’t know what it’s like to walk in their shoes and it’s a good idea to acknowledge that when speaking with the person. And, after an appropriate period of time, it’s OK to ask, “Is there anything I can do to repair this relationship?”

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Disabled Models and Designers Take Center Stage at New York Fashion Week
  2. Hearst Joins Employers Expanding Benefits to Include Divorce Support
  3. Twilio Promises ‘Anti-racist’ Layoffs as Ceo Says 11% Job Cuts Won’t Hit Workers From ‘Marginalized Communities’ More Than Others
  4. Hot Chicken Takeover’s Mission Is to Hire People Who Might Be Passed Over Elsewhere, Whether Because of Prior Incarceration, Drug Addiction, or Homelessness
  5. Interior Department Completes Removal of “Sq___” from Federal Use
     

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-recovery

To learn more about Rex, visit: https://www.rexwilde.com/
 

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 27 Sep 2022 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Rex Wilde, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-recovery-26zVifcS There was a recurring theme this week in my conversations with clients: how to recover after you’ve been called out or accidentally offended someone. Here’s the short answer: don't get dramatic. Apologize sincerely once without diminishing their experience. If you’re corrected, say thanks. Educate yourself, rather than asking them, so you can do better next time.

During an in-person keynote for a corporate client, I was asked a question that took the topic a step further. I was asked, “How much responsibility do I need to continue to take after I’ve offended someone when, after my sincere apology, they remain angry and/or aggressive?”

Here are a couple of guidelines: Remember you don’t know what it’s like to walk in their shoes and it’s a good idea to acknowledge that when speaking with the person. And, after an appropriate period of time, it’s OK to ask, “Is there anything I can do to repair this relationship?”

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Disabled Models and Designers Take Center Stage at New York Fashion Week
  2. Hearst Joins Employers Expanding Benefits to Include Divorce Support
  3. Twilio Promises ‘Anti-racist’ Layoffs as Ceo Says 11% Job Cuts Won’t Hit Workers From ‘Marginalized Communities’ More Than Others
  4. Hot Chicken Takeover’s Mission Is to Hire People Who Might Be Passed Over Elsewhere, Whether Because of Prior Incarceration, Drug Addiction, or Homelessness
  5. Interior Department Completes Removal of “Sq___” from Federal Use
     

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-recovery

To learn more about Rex, visit: https://www.rexwilde.com/
 

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Recovery Rex Wilde, Bernadette Smith 00:17:57 Rex Wilde, LGBTQ+ educator, speaker, and consultant, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about anti-racist layoffs, disabled models and designers, and more! Rex Wilde, LGBTQ+ educator, speaker, and consultant, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about anti-racist layoffs, disabled models and designers, and more! dei, divorce support, marginalized communitites, anti-racist, consulting, nyfw false full 14 faa2b3e6-8ad0-49f3-a4ec-ef1636e86085 5 Things in 15 Minutes / No Matter Why If you’re a long-time reader of 5 Things, you may have noticed that it doesn’t matter to me why an organization decides to “do the right thing” – to embed equity and inclusion into its systems as a way to accelerate the promises of diversity. 

I don’t care whether an organization is working on DEI initiatives because everyone else is because they see the promises of higher revenue because they want to reduce turnover, because they don’t want to be left in the dust, or because it’s just the right thing to do. I don’t care why Hard Rock is paying $100 million in wage hikes (as you’ll read below). I care about the long-term benefits.

Don’t get me wrong: having an inspirational and aligned purpose will only help organizations get there faster (if they effectively rally employees around that purpose) – but if it’s just about making more money, that’s fine, too. Real change, the systems and policy change that I write about every week here, that I wrote about in my awesome book Inclusive 360, is replicable, scalable, and sustainable. 

In my conversations with clients, I will keep making the business case because – whatever works.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Patagonia’s Founder Transfers Ownership Into Two Entities to Help Fight the Climate Crisis
  2. Runners for the First Time Had the Option to Select Nonbinary, Male, or Female in Response to the Gender Question for their Boston Marathon Registration
  3. Doordash Invests in Employee Resource Groups by Compensating Leaders
  4. Casino Company Hard Rock to Spend $100 Million to Raise Employees’ Wages
  5. This Year Marks the First Ever South Asian New York Fashion Week (SANYFW)

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-no-matter-why

To learn more about Gearah Goldstein and The GenderCool Project, visit: https://gendercool.org/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 20 Sep 2022 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Gearah Goldstein, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-no-matter-why-vlcJAk9y If you’re a long-time reader of 5 Things, you may have noticed that it doesn’t matter to me why an organization decides to “do the right thing” – to embed equity and inclusion into its systems as a way to accelerate the promises of diversity. 

I don’t care whether an organization is working on DEI initiatives because everyone else is because they see the promises of higher revenue because they want to reduce turnover, because they don’t want to be left in the dust, or because it’s just the right thing to do. I don’t care why Hard Rock is paying $100 million in wage hikes (as you’ll read below). I care about the long-term benefits.

Don’t get me wrong: having an inspirational and aligned purpose will only help organizations get there faster (if they effectively rally employees around that purpose) – but if it’s just about making more money, that’s fine, too. Real change, the systems and policy change that I write about every week here, that I wrote about in my awesome book Inclusive 360, is replicable, scalable, and sustainable. 

In my conversations with clients, I will keep making the business case because – whatever works.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Patagonia’s Founder Transfers Ownership Into Two Entities to Help Fight the Climate Crisis
  2. Runners for the First Time Had the Option to Select Nonbinary, Male, or Female in Response to the Gender Question for their Boston Marathon Registration
  3. Doordash Invests in Employee Resource Groups by Compensating Leaders
  4. Casino Company Hard Rock to Spend $100 Million to Raise Employees’ Wages
  5. This Year Marks the First Ever South Asian New York Fashion Week (SANYFW)

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-no-matter-why

To learn more about Gearah Goldstein and The GenderCool Project, visit: https://gendercool.org/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things in 15 Minutes / No Matter Why Gearah Goldstein, Bernadette Smith 00:24:43 Gearah Goldstein 🏳️‍🌈, Founder of The GenderCool Project, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about non-binary marathon runners, employee wages, and more! Gearah Goldstein 🏳️‍🌈, Founder of The GenderCool Project, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about non-binary marathon runners, employee wages, and more! south asian new york fashion week, hard rock casino, dei, climate crisis, patagonia, doordash, gendercool project, non-binary, boston marathon false full 13 ffcc28fd-7d4f-45a2-9d1c-e2156e6c5bcd 5 Things in 15 Minutes / The Sales Team This week I met with a client to prepare for an upcoming keynote. We were discussing some of the company’s DEI challenges, and I heard the familiar comment, “We struggle to get the sales team to care. They don’t get why it’s important.”

It’s a common struggle: in many cases, DEI events are voluntary, and many folks on the sales team are in the field. How do you reach them? How do you get them to care?

It starts with embedding DEI into the sales meetings and getting the senior leaders at those meetings to care. But there are a few other tricks, best summarized in this lovely feedback I received from a client: They were VERY appreciative of the practical tips for relating to their clients and candidates. I personally felt that her focus on those folks, over their own colleagues, also may have made this feel more like a professional development session than "another DEI lecture" for those that are less receptive to our DEI council's efforts.

The sales team is financially motivated. To reach them, share any myriad bits of data about the financial benefits of diversity. Then talk about DEI and cultural competency more broadly in terms of how it relates to their clients and candidates – how do they establish trust with, and NOT accidentally offend their increasingly diverse client and candidate base? No one, especially no one in sales, likes to embarrass themselves in front of a client.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. ‘Peppa Pig’ Gets Its First Same-Sex Couple – Two Polar Bear Mommies
  2. A Swimming Cap Made for Black Hair Gets Official Approval After Previous Olympic Ban
  3. The Hubspot Culture Code: “Better to Try and Sometimes Fail Than to Sit Tight...and Fail for Sure.”
  4. U.S. Soccer Players Formally Sign Equal Pay Agreements
  5. If Your Family Makes Less Than $100,000 per Year, Princeton Will Cover All Your Tuition

Learn more about John Avila here: https://www.avilacreativeinc.com/

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-the-sales-team

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 13 Sep 2022 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (John Avila, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-the-sales-team-CqyiOSD4 This week I met with a client to prepare for an upcoming keynote. We were discussing some of the company’s DEI challenges, and I heard the familiar comment, “We struggle to get the sales team to care. They don’t get why it’s important.”

It’s a common struggle: in many cases, DEI events are voluntary, and many folks on the sales team are in the field. How do you reach them? How do you get them to care?

It starts with embedding DEI into the sales meetings and getting the senior leaders at those meetings to care. But there are a few other tricks, best summarized in this lovely feedback I received from a client: They were VERY appreciative of the practical tips for relating to their clients and candidates. I personally felt that her focus on those folks, over their own colleagues, also may have made this feel more like a professional development session than "another DEI lecture" for those that are less receptive to our DEI council's efforts.

The sales team is financially motivated. To reach them, share any myriad bits of data about the financial benefits of diversity. Then talk about DEI and cultural competency more broadly in terms of how it relates to their clients and candidates – how do they establish trust with, and NOT accidentally offend their increasingly diverse client and candidate base? No one, especially no one in sales, likes to embarrass themselves in front of a client.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. ‘Peppa Pig’ Gets Its First Same-Sex Couple – Two Polar Bear Mommies
  2. A Swimming Cap Made for Black Hair Gets Official Approval After Previous Olympic Ban
  3. The Hubspot Culture Code: “Better to Try and Sometimes Fail Than to Sit Tight...and Fail for Sure.”
  4. U.S. Soccer Players Formally Sign Equal Pay Agreements
  5. If Your Family Makes Less Than $100,000 per Year, Princeton Will Cover All Your Tuition

Learn more about John Avila here: https://www.avilacreativeinc.com/

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-the-sales-team

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things in 15 Minutes / The Sales Team John Avila, Bernadette Smith 00:15:55 John Avila, Principal at Avila Creative, Inc., and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about equal pay for Women and Men's U.S. Soccer, Olympic-approved swimming caps made for black hair, and more! John Avila, Principal at Avila Creative, Inc., and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about equal pay for Women and Men's U.S. Soccer, Olympic-approved swimming caps made for black hair, and more! equal pay, dei, peppa pig, bipoc students, sales team, princeton, swim cap, soccer, hubspot false full 12 148e5f0c-6e20-42cd-9252-a6ae48e04772 5 Things in 15 Minutes / High Potentials This week I facilitated a conversation with a client about my book Inclusive 360. In the conversation, I was struck by how often my conversations around DEI quickly focus on hiring for diversity. Yes, that’s important, but data tells us that at the entry-level of organizations, the percentage of men vs women, and White people vs BIPOC are fairly balanced. The gaps widen as employees are promoted. Classic unconscious bias.

It’s clear to me that organizations should instead prioritize embedding equity into the employee lifecycle to give everyone a fair shot at success and growth. This includes everything from updating and standardizing the performance review process, to inclusive leader training for managers, and coaching for high potentials. There’s a reason that many organizations are paying out big bonuses right now…it can be far more cost-effective to invest in current employees than hire new ones. 

Yes, we can help you with those things…but here’s how to start making the case for this: share the data that shows it can cost 3x an employee's salary to fill a role (including time spent by other employees as part of the hiring process). Then ask some of your high potentials, “what can we do to keep awesome people like you around?” Listen to the ideas and work through what’s reasonable, bit by bit.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Period Poverty: Scotland First in World to Make Period Products Free
  2. Global Consumer Brands Are Wading Into an Uproar Over the Firing of a Popular Female Television Anchor
  3. Ben & Jerry's and Tony's Chocolonely Team Up To Tackle Cocoa Slave Labor
  4. All-Black, All-Female American Airlines Crew Flies From Dallas to Honor Bessie Coleman
  5. Races Are Finally Making Room for Nonbinary Runners, Whose Stories Are Driving the Change

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-high-potentials

To learn more about Geneviéve Jones-Wright and Motivation.In.Action (MIA), visit: https://yourmia.org/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 30 Aug 2022 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Geneviéve Jones-Wright, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-high-potentials-EolyO5pq This week I facilitated a conversation with a client about my book Inclusive 360. In the conversation, I was struck by how often my conversations around DEI quickly focus on hiring for diversity. Yes, that’s important, but data tells us that at the entry-level of organizations, the percentage of men vs women, and White people vs BIPOC are fairly balanced. The gaps widen as employees are promoted. Classic unconscious bias.

It’s clear to me that organizations should instead prioritize embedding equity into the employee lifecycle to give everyone a fair shot at success and growth. This includes everything from updating and standardizing the performance review process, to inclusive leader training for managers, and coaching for high potentials. There’s a reason that many organizations are paying out big bonuses right now…it can be far more cost-effective to invest in current employees than hire new ones. 

Yes, we can help you with those things…but here’s how to start making the case for this: share the data that shows it can cost 3x an employee's salary to fill a role (including time spent by other employees as part of the hiring process). Then ask some of your high potentials, “what can we do to keep awesome people like you around?” Listen to the ideas and work through what’s reasonable, bit by bit.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Period Poverty: Scotland First in World to Make Period Products Free
  2. Global Consumer Brands Are Wading Into an Uproar Over the Firing of a Popular Female Television Anchor
  3. Ben & Jerry's and Tony's Chocolonely Team Up To Tackle Cocoa Slave Labor
  4. All-Black, All-Female American Airlines Crew Flies From Dallas to Honor Bessie Coleman
  5. Races Are Finally Making Room for Nonbinary Runners, Whose Stories Are Driving the Change

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-high-potentials

To learn more about Geneviéve Jones-Wright and Motivation.In.Action (MIA), visit: https://yourmia.org/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things in 15 Minutes / High Potentials Geneviéve Jones-Wright, Bernadette Smith 00:26:24 Geneviéve Jones-Wright, Founder and Lead Empowermentor at Motivation.In.Action (MIA), and I are recapping the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Ben & Jerry's tackling cocoa slave labor, an all-black female flight team, and more good vibes! Geneviéve Jones-Wright, Founder and Lead Empowermentor at Motivation.In.Action (MIA), and I are recapping the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Ben & Jerry's tackling cocoa slave labor, an all-black female flight team, and more good vibes! marathon runners, equity, dei, ben & jerry's, american airlines, period poverty, bipoc false full 11 47f99eba-b55a-4170-95b5-f5a332d3890f 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Everybody In This week the U.S. Congress passed a significant and transformative climate bill that President Biden is expected to sign. Among many other things, the law will provide many incentives for shifts to clean energy, including rebates for car buyers. 

I found this timely when I read how GM connects the dots between diversity, equity, and inclusion and its goal to be an electric vehicle leader. Telva McGruder, chief diversity, inclusion, and equity officer at GM, shared:

“Our tagline, ‘Everybody in,’ means that we are designing vehicles that will be able to accommodate people regardless of their level of income. So vehicles from low- to high-income price points. It also means people who purchase electric vehicles are going to have the ability to charge them wherever they are, regardless of location…We're also thinking about the impact on the electrical grid, making sure that communities that are typically underrepresented or under-considered when major infrastructure plans are made are indeed represented.” 

A holistic approach to DEI is deep and robust and hard work. But wow, when it’s thoughtful, what a difference it can make in the lives of others – literally in the lives of Black and brown communities. That’s what matters. Read that whole article above about GM – they’re doing some fantastic stuff with DEI.

Here are other good vibes I found this week:

  1. Private equity giant Carlyle thinks it’s found the formula for incentivizing diversity work
  2. Taco Bell has a unique strategy to improve its frontline ... a six-week program aimed at helping store workers move up the ranks
  3. LinkedIn has added nudges to its hiring platform to prompt recruiters to consider diversity
  4. Gender neutral ‘Mx.’ prefix option added to the Disney experience

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-everybody-in

To learn more about Sarah and Bettman Consulting Group, visit: https://www.bettmanleadership.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 23 Aug 2022 17:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Sarah Bettman, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-everybody-in-BigPZMuL This week the U.S. Congress passed a significant and transformative climate bill that President Biden is expected to sign. Among many other things, the law will provide many incentives for shifts to clean energy, including rebates for car buyers. 

I found this timely when I read how GM connects the dots between diversity, equity, and inclusion and its goal to be an electric vehicle leader. Telva McGruder, chief diversity, inclusion, and equity officer at GM, shared:

“Our tagline, ‘Everybody in,’ means that we are designing vehicles that will be able to accommodate people regardless of their level of income. So vehicles from low- to high-income price points. It also means people who purchase electric vehicles are going to have the ability to charge them wherever they are, regardless of location…We're also thinking about the impact on the electrical grid, making sure that communities that are typically underrepresented or under-considered when major infrastructure plans are made are indeed represented.” 

A holistic approach to DEI is deep and robust and hard work. But wow, when it’s thoughtful, what a difference it can make in the lives of others – literally in the lives of Black and brown communities. That’s what matters. Read that whole article above about GM – they’re doing some fantastic stuff with DEI.

Here are other good vibes I found this week:

  1. Private equity giant Carlyle thinks it’s found the formula for incentivizing diversity work
  2. Taco Bell has a unique strategy to improve its frontline ... a six-week program aimed at helping store workers move up the ranks
  3. LinkedIn has added nudges to its hiring platform to prompt recruiters to consider diversity
  4. Gender neutral ‘Mx.’ prefix option added to the Disney experience

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-everybody-in

To learn more about Sarah and Bettman Consulting Group, visit: https://www.bettmanleadership.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Everybody In Sarah Bettman, Bernadette Smith 00:20:00 Sarah Bettman, CPCC, MBA, CEO of Bettman Consulting Group, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Linkedin helping interrupt unconscious bias, Disney's gender-neutral prefix, Mx, and more! Sarah Bettman, CPCC, MBA, CEO of Bettman Consulting Group, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Linkedin helping interrupt unconscious bias, Disney's gender-neutral prefix, Mx, and more! carlyle group, dei, disney, taco bell, diversity, linkedin, general motors, consulting, gender neutral false full 10 dc9b06c2-83ee-4e5e-93c8-11bb5b118b49 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Trade-Offs This week I was reminded that every story is nuanced – sometimes, I miss the [whole/complete] picture when researching the stories. In the last 5 Things, I shared how Shopify’s CEO was humble and kind in handling layoffs. A reader so smartly responded:

While they lost their jobs due to his mistake he still made over $20 million and cashed out more than $623 million in equity last year. To me, this raises huge questions about internal equity, executive compensation, and holding decision-makers accountable for their decisions. Instead, once again, we will likely see huge numbers of lower-wage, junior, and shared service (where most diversity exists in US companies) employees paying the price.

Yes, yes, yes, and yes. Perfectly put.

And yet, in addition to some layoffs, I’m also seeing salary bumps and bonuses announced across industries as a potential antidote to still-high resignation numbers. Does that count as a good vibe?

Ultimately, there are so many gray areas, and there are always trade-offs. I’m hopeful we will mostly see leaders choose the path that causes the least harm. I’m reminded of what my friend Jess Pettitt says, “Do the best you can with what you have some of the time."

Another reader had a question about Disney’s Fairy Godmothers from last week… we inadvertently left off an apostrophe, causing the story about going gender-free to make no sense. Sorry for the confusion! To summarize Fairy Godmothers in Training --> Fairy Godmother’s Apprentices.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. How the World’s Biggest Four-Day Workweek Trial Run Changed People’s Lives in the UK
  2. Spotify Allowed Its Employees to Work From Anywhere in the World and Its Turnover Rate Dropped
  3. Gen Z Knows What It Wants From Employers And Employers Want Them
  4. U.S. Companies Support Harvard, UNC in Supreme Court Affirmative Action Cases
  5. Microsoft Has Taken a Proactive Approach to Accessible Technology and Disability Hiring

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-trade-offs

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 9 Aug 2022 17:32:20 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Erika Latines, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-trade-offs-Y_mg1Vvx This week I was reminded that every story is nuanced – sometimes, I miss the [whole/complete] picture when researching the stories. In the last 5 Things, I shared how Shopify’s CEO was humble and kind in handling layoffs. A reader so smartly responded:

While they lost their jobs due to his mistake he still made over $20 million and cashed out more than $623 million in equity last year. To me, this raises huge questions about internal equity, executive compensation, and holding decision-makers accountable for their decisions. Instead, once again, we will likely see huge numbers of lower-wage, junior, and shared service (where most diversity exists in US companies) employees paying the price.

Yes, yes, yes, and yes. Perfectly put.

And yet, in addition to some layoffs, I’m also seeing salary bumps and bonuses announced across industries as a potential antidote to still-high resignation numbers. Does that count as a good vibe?

Ultimately, there are so many gray areas, and there are always trade-offs. I’m hopeful we will mostly see leaders choose the path that causes the least harm. I’m reminded of what my friend Jess Pettitt says, “Do the best you can with what you have some of the time."

Another reader had a question about Disney’s Fairy Godmothers from last week… we inadvertently left off an apostrophe, causing the story about going gender-free to make no sense. Sorry for the confusion! To summarize Fairy Godmothers in Training --> Fairy Godmother’s Apprentices.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. How the World’s Biggest Four-Day Workweek Trial Run Changed People’s Lives in the UK
  2. Spotify Allowed Its Employees to Work From Anywhere in the World and Its Turnover Rate Dropped
  3. Gen Z Knows What It Wants From Employers And Employers Want Them
  4. U.S. Companies Support Harvard, UNC in Supreme Court Affirmative Action Cases
  5. Microsoft Has Taken a Proactive Approach to Accessible Technology and Disability Hiring

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-trade-offs

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Trade-Offs Erika Latines, Bernadette Smith 00:19:27 Erika Latines, Equality Institute Facilitator, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about 4 day workweeks, remote work policies, accessible technology, and more! Erika Latines, Equality Institute Facilitator, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about 4 day workweeks, remote work policies, accessible technology, and more! dei, google, work from home, apple, spotify, gen z, starbucks, 4 day workweek, disability hiring, supreme court false full 9 5d3428b1-9a02-404c-a6b1-8d633789adfd 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Humility This week I had some important conversations with my team about the future of our little company, where we’re going, and what we have to do to get there. As a CEO and leader, I’m making big decisions and taking massive risks. It’s scary but it’s less scary when I admit how scary it is, and when my team shares their fears, too – and we all move forward anyway with humility and our shared sense of purpose.

I was reminded this week that sometimes big risks don’t pay off. Layoffs and hiring slowdowns have hit tech. What we’re now seeing crystal clear is that there’s a right way and a wrong way to reduce the workforce. Shopify laid off 1000 employees - and did so with humanity and compassion.

In the letter to the team, CEO Tobi Lütke was transparent about the mistakes that were made that led to the staff reduction: Ultimately, placing this bet was my call to make and I got this wrong. Now, we have to adjust. As a consequence, we have to say goodbye to some of you today and I’m deeply sorry for that.

Lütke also gave departing employees some generous perks beyond severance pay, including still paying for internet, money for new hardware, and organizing and distributing a list of employees looking for work.

To those remaining employees, Lütke reiterated the company’s purpose: Our customers are merchants, entrepreneurs, and small business owners - the bedrock of our economy and precisely those that are typically hit hardest during recessions. Most are already feeling it. We again have a clear objective in these challenging macro-economic times, and we will use everything we’ve got to help them succeed and come out stronger. That’s our core mission.

This matters because it shows humility. The CEO, in admitting his failures, also models a way to create psychological safety.

Here are other good vibes I found this week:

2.  VP Aims for Inclusivity: “I Am Kamala Harris. My Pronouns Are She and Her, and I Am a Woman Sitting at the Table Wearing a Blue Suit.”

3. Disney Replaces ‘Fairy Godmothers’ Title at Parks With Gender-Neutral ‘Apprentices’

4. Pottery Barn Debuts 150+ Pieces of Furniture for People With Disabilities

5. HSBC Offers Gender-Neutral Banking in Inclusivity Bid

To learn more about Genesis Fisher, Esq. and her firm, visit: http://www.fisherlawpractice.nyc/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 2 Aug 2022 22:25:23 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Genesis Fisher, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-humility-eN_umaWm This week I had some important conversations with my team about the future of our little company, where we’re going, and what we have to do to get there. As a CEO and leader, I’m making big decisions and taking massive risks. It’s scary but it’s less scary when I admit how scary it is, and when my team shares their fears, too – and we all move forward anyway with humility and our shared sense of purpose.

I was reminded this week that sometimes big risks don’t pay off. Layoffs and hiring slowdowns have hit tech. What we’re now seeing crystal clear is that there’s a right way and a wrong way to reduce the workforce. Shopify laid off 1000 employees - and did so with humanity and compassion.

In the letter to the team, CEO Tobi Lütke was transparent about the mistakes that were made that led to the staff reduction: Ultimately, placing this bet was my call to make and I got this wrong. Now, we have to adjust. As a consequence, we have to say goodbye to some of you today and I’m deeply sorry for that.

Lütke also gave departing employees some generous perks beyond severance pay, including still paying for internet, money for new hardware, and organizing and distributing a list of employees looking for work.

To those remaining employees, Lütke reiterated the company’s purpose: Our customers are merchants, entrepreneurs, and small business owners - the bedrock of our economy and precisely those that are typically hit hardest during recessions. Most are already feeling it. We again have a clear objective in these challenging macro-economic times, and we will use everything we’ve got to help them succeed and come out stronger. That’s our core mission.

This matters because it shows humility. The CEO, in admitting his failures, also models a way to create psychological safety.

Here are other good vibes I found this week:

2.  VP Aims for Inclusivity: “I Am Kamala Harris. My Pronouns Are She and Her, and I Am a Woman Sitting at the Table Wearing a Blue Suit.”

3. Disney Replaces ‘Fairy Godmothers’ Title at Parks With Gender-Neutral ‘Apprentices’

4. Pottery Barn Debuts 150+ Pieces of Furniture for People With Disabilities

5. HSBC Offers Gender-Neutral Banking in Inclusivity Bid

To learn more about Genesis Fisher, Esq. and her firm, visit: http://www.fisherlawpractice.nyc/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Humility Genesis Fisher, Bernadette Smith 00:16:10 Genesis Fisher, Esq., Founder and Principal Attorney at Fisher Law Practice, P.C., and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about how Shopify handled layoffs, Pottery Barn's inclusive line, the latest apprentices, and more! Genesis Fisher, Esq., Founder and Principal Attorney at Fisher Law Practice, P.C., and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about how Shopify handled layoffs, Pottery Barn's inclusive line, the latest apprentices, and more! humility, disability advocates, dei, inclusivity, kamal harris, gender-neutral, conflict resolution false full 8 b469aa96-fd0b-4c23-bc8e-977d8d9351e3 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Mic Drop This week my partner said something incredibly wise to me when we were talking about the kids’ rules. She said, “what I’ve come to realize is that it should be about equity, not equality."

That was a mic drop moment for me. By that, she meant that each kid should be treated according to their own unique needs. Of course. The kid who gets overstimulated has different needs than the one who is a hardcore extrovert.

Of course. I remember at work. I forget at home. Anyone else? Or vice versa?

Equity, not equality. Since my business is Equality Institute, I’ll quickly define those terms. Equality (“the condition of being equal”) simply isn’t possible without equity (“more for those who need it”) first. I see equality as an aspirational outcome. I’m an aspirational kind of person. Let’s get to it.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Food Lion Has Made Working With Owners From Underrepresented Groups Part of Its Day-To-Day Sourcing Processes
  2. The ANA Membership Assembly Took Historic Action by Unanimously Voting ‘Yes’ to Adopt The ANA Racial Reckoning Statement
  3. IOC Reinstates Jim Thorpe as Sole Winner of 1912 Olympic Decathlon and Pentathlon
  4. Once Neglected, Dei Initiatives Now Present at All Fortune 100 Companies
  5. Top Russian Tennis Player Daria Kasatkina Comes Out as Gay

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-mic-drop

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 26 Jul 2022 17:01:40 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Darion Marion-Burton, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-mic-drop-ZztYxYeE This week my partner said something incredibly wise to me when we were talking about the kids’ rules. She said, “what I’ve come to realize is that it should be about equity, not equality."

That was a mic drop moment for me. By that, she meant that each kid should be treated according to their own unique needs. Of course. The kid who gets overstimulated has different needs than the one who is a hardcore extrovert.

Of course. I remember at work. I forget at home. Anyone else? Or vice versa?

Equity, not equality. Since my business is Equality Institute, I’ll quickly define those terms. Equality (“the condition of being equal”) simply isn’t possible without equity (“more for those who need it”) first. I see equality as an aspirational outcome. I’m an aspirational kind of person. Let’s get to it.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Food Lion Has Made Working With Owners From Underrepresented Groups Part of Its Day-To-Day Sourcing Processes
  2. The ANA Membership Assembly Took Historic Action by Unanimously Voting ‘Yes’ to Adopt The ANA Racial Reckoning Statement
  3. IOC Reinstates Jim Thorpe as Sole Winner of 1912 Olympic Decathlon and Pentathlon
  4. Once Neglected, Dei Initiatives Now Present at All Fortune 100 Companies
  5. Top Russian Tennis Player Daria Kasatkina Comes Out as Gay

Read the full blog here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-mic-drop

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Mic Drop Darion Marion-Burton, Bernadette Smith 00:18:42 Darien Marion-Burton, President of D.M. Burton, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about a Russian Pro Tennis player speaking out about gay rights in her home country, Fortune 100 companies and their public commitments to DEI, and much more! Darien Marion-Burton, President of D.M. Burton, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about a Russian Pro Tennis player speaking out about gay rights in her home country, Fortune 100 companies and their public commitments to DEI, and much more! dei, the american nursing association, food lion, fortine 100 companies, jim thorpe, daria kasatkina, olympics false full 7 a080ab06-8aa6-4b9f-8a9d-7b0a2c4bdb1c 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Obsessed This week we launched a really cool DEI web app (and the feedback has been 🔥). Creating the Inclusive 360 Assessment and Roadmap has been my obsession for 10 months as I sought to solve a recurring challenge our clients share - a need to cut through the overwhelm and get crystal clear direction about the next steps forward with DEI.

To be perfectly honest, I was also dissatisfied with the custom DEI analysis and strategic plan we were providing to consulting clients. I felt that the analysis was great but the plan was too general. In my own experience, when I don’t have specifics, I often get stuck and don’t take action. I like specifics. The tool is very specific.

Anyway, I promise we’ll chill out with the emails about the web app, but I want to share how proud I am of what we built, and how much I believe it can help organizations accelerate their DEI and accessibility goals.

Watch the 3-minute video.

Try it out with the Inclusive 360 Quiz.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. A Black History & Culture Collection Was Created to Provide Access to Historical & Cultural Images of the African/Black Diaspora in the US & UK
  2. Nintendo Has Enchanted Video Game Players With Titles Like Super Mario Brothers and the Legend of Zelda, but Now It’s Helping Bring LGBTQ Equality to Its Home Country of Japan
  3. Educator and Civil Rights Activist Mary McLeod Bethune Makes History as the First Black Person to Have a State-Commissioned Statue in the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall, Replacing a Confederate Statue
  4. & 5. ADP Created a Preferred Name Policy to Foster an Inclusive Workplace.  Betterment did something similar - users of this financial app have more than two genders to choose from when registering. Account holders can also add their preferred names.

Read the blog version here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-obsessed
 

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 19 Jul 2022 19:21:09 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Patti Flynn, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-obsessed-bTIWEBvr This week we launched a really cool DEI web app (and the feedback has been 🔥). Creating the Inclusive 360 Assessment and Roadmap has been my obsession for 10 months as I sought to solve a recurring challenge our clients share - a need to cut through the overwhelm and get crystal clear direction about the next steps forward with DEI.

To be perfectly honest, I was also dissatisfied with the custom DEI analysis and strategic plan we were providing to consulting clients. I felt that the analysis was great but the plan was too general. In my own experience, when I don’t have specifics, I often get stuck and don’t take action. I like specifics. The tool is very specific.

Anyway, I promise we’ll chill out with the emails about the web app, but I want to share how proud I am of what we built, and how much I believe it can help organizations accelerate their DEI and accessibility goals.

Watch the 3-minute video.

Try it out with the Inclusive 360 Quiz.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. A Black History & Culture Collection Was Created to Provide Access to Historical & Cultural Images of the African/Black Diaspora in the US & UK
  2. Nintendo Has Enchanted Video Game Players With Titles Like Super Mario Brothers and the Legend of Zelda, but Now It’s Helping Bring LGBTQ Equality to Its Home Country of Japan
  3. Educator and Civil Rights Activist Mary McLeod Bethune Makes History as the First Black Person to Have a State-Commissioned Statue in the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall, Replacing a Confederate Statue
  4. & 5. ADP Created a Preferred Name Policy to Foster an Inclusive Workplace.  Betterment did something similar - users of this financial app have more than two genders to choose from when registering. Account holders can also add their preferred names.

Read the blog version here: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-obsessed
 

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Obsessed Patti Flynn, Bernadette Smith 00:14:31 Patti Flynn, Equality Institute Senior Consultant, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about how Getty Images curated a Black history and culture collection, Japanese-based company Nintendo is now offering benefits to LGBTQ/same-sex marriages, and more! Patti Flynn, Equality Institute Senior Consultant, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about how Getty Images curated a Black history and culture collection, Japanese-based company Nintendo is now offering benefits to LGBTQ/same-sex marriages, and more! inclusive 360 assessment, lgbtq equality, adp, dei, getty images, equality institute, mary mcleod bethune, nintendo, black history & culture collection, civil rights false full 6 f1644477-6fe9-4f4e-aa9a-6bf3421032db 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Unplugged This week I spent time in California whitewater rafting and hiking with an old friend. There was no cell service while we were on the overnight rafting trip, and it felt great to be completely unplugged. After I returned from the solace of nature, I learned there was a parade shooting in Highland Park, Illinois about 30 miles from my home. 

Another shooting. So much for good vibes. I wanted to unplug all over again.

Friends, it sometimes feels like the world is falling apart and I run out of words. I run out of patience. Maybe you do, too. Still, I look for inspiration because of the discipline of writing this every week. 

I found some inspiration this morning when I learned that the winery tasting room in downtown Highland Park, run by my friend Matt Phillips, was a safe haven for 40+ parade-goers escaping the violence. In the spirit of the kindness of strangers, I share this short news story about Matt and Lynfred Winery. Any one of us may have done the same thing, but Matt did. 

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  • GE Appliances Is Working to Hire 1,000 Refugees at Its Louisville Factories by 2023
  • Slack’s Bold Bet on Training Formerly Incarcerated People to Be Tech Workers
  • PayPal CEO Improved Results By Investing in His Call Center Workers
  • Hootsuite’s Office Gets an Inclusive Redesign
  • Sandra Douglass Morgan Becomes the First Black Woman to Be Named an NFL Team President

To learn more about Miguel Joey Aviles, visit: https://www.migueljoeyaviles.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 12 Jul 2022 17:00:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Miguel Joey Aviles, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-unplugged-nX_jz2sv This week I spent time in California whitewater rafting and hiking with an old friend. There was no cell service while we were on the overnight rafting trip, and it felt great to be completely unplugged. After I returned from the solace of nature, I learned there was a parade shooting in Highland Park, Illinois about 30 miles from my home. 

Another shooting. So much for good vibes. I wanted to unplug all over again.

Friends, it sometimes feels like the world is falling apart and I run out of words. I run out of patience. Maybe you do, too. Still, I look for inspiration because of the discipline of writing this every week. 

I found some inspiration this morning when I learned that the winery tasting room in downtown Highland Park, run by my friend Matt Phillips, was a safe haven for 40+ parade-goers escaping the violence. In the spirit of the kindness of strangers, I share this short news story about Matt and Lynfred Winery. Any one of us may have done the same thing, but Matt did. 

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  • GE Appliances Is Working to Hire 1,000 Refugees at Its Louisville Factories by 2023
  • Slack’s Bold Bet on Training Formerly Incarcerated People to Be Tech Workers
  • PayPal CEO Improved Results By Investing in His Call Center Workers
  • Hootsuite’s Office Gets an Inclusive Redesign
  • Sandra Douglass Morgan Becomes the First Black Woman to Be Named an NFL Team President

To learn more about Miguel Joey Aviles, visit: https://www.migueljoeyaviles.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Unplugged Miguel Joey Aviles, Bernadette Smith 00:16:22 Miguel Joey Aviles, D&I Keynote Speaker, Consultant, and Coach, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about how GE will be hiring a large number of refugees, the NFL's first Black Woman President, and more! We also have an exciting announcement regarding our new digital assessment, the Inclusive 360 Assessment Tool! Miguel Joey Aviles, D&I Keynote Speaker, Consultant, and Coach, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about how GE will be hiring a large number of refugees, the NFL's first Black Woman President, and more! We also have an exciting announcement regarding our new digital assessment, the Inclusive 360 Assessment Tool! paypal, sandra douglass morgan, slack, ge appliances, hootsuite, equality institute, nfl false full 5 f1f4270f-2d23-4199-a9d1-2f555376d15d 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Triggered I spent two days this week on a retreat with my mastermind group. We’re a bunch of varied founders who come together to learn and support each other as we build our businesses. The theme of this retreat was “communication” and one of the sessions I enjoyed was on communicating with ourselves when we’re triggered by something someone says at work.

We started by learning our individual fear response - mine is flight - and then self-reflecting on the various comments that have triggered that response at work. We then practiced getting triggered (and recovering from it) in pairs. The magic is in the tool we learned to recover from the triggers. Our facilitator, Pavini Coakwell Moray, taught us a technique to ground ourselves, expand, and let the body settle the mind.

There are so many reasons people get triggered at work but I can promise you that the overturn of Roe is a big one. I hope that your organization is having internal conversations on what the overturn of Roe can mean in terms of programming (consider listening sessions), employee benefits, privacy, communications, and more. Brace yourself for business implications like these.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Allyson Felix Launches a Child Care Initiative for Athlete Moms
  2. Marriott International Launches “Bridging The Gap” Hotel Development Program
  3. Google Will Let LGBTQ-Plus Merchants Tag Their Businesses in Maps
  4. Walmart Expands Health Services to Address Racial Inequality
  5. Walgreens Aims to Add Diversity to Drug Trials Through Stores
     

For more information on Seema Jain and Seva Global, please visit: https://www.seva-global.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 28 Jun 2022 17:16:06 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Seema Jain, Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-triggered-9uol70kg I spent two days this week on a retreat with my mastermind group. We’re a bunch of varied founders who come together to learn and support each other as we build our businesses. The theme of this retreat was “communication” and one of the sessions I enjoyed was on communicating with ourselves when we’re triggered by something someone says at work.

We started by learning our individual fear response - mine is flight - and then self-reflecting on the various comments that have triggered that response at work. We then practiced getting triggered (and recovering from it) in pairs. The magic is in the tool we learned to recover from the triggers. Our facilitator, Pavini Coakwell Moray, taught us a technique to ground ourselves, expand, and let the body settle the mind.

There are so many reasons people get triggered at work but I can promise you that the overturn of Roe is a big one. I hope that your organization is having internal conversations on what the overturn of Roe can mean in terms of programming (consider listening sessions), employee benefits, privacy, communications, and more. Brace yourself for business implications like these.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. Allyson Felix Launches a Child Care Initiative for Athlete Moms
  2. Marriott International Launches “Bridging The Gap” Hotel Development Program
  3. Google Will Let LGBTQ-Plus Merchants Tag Their Businesses in Maps
  4. Walmart Expands Health Services to Address Racial Inequality
  5. Walgreens Aims to Add Diversity to Drug Trials Through Stores
     

For more information on Seema Jain and Seva Global, please visit: https://www.seva-global.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Triggered Seema Jain, Bernadette Smith 00:17:53 Seema Jain, CEO of Seva Global, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about how Walmart is helping fight racial inequality, how Marriott is increasing the diversity of their franchisees, and more! Seema Jain, CEO of Seva Global, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about how Walmart is helping fight racial inequality, how Marriott is increasing the diversity of their franchisees, and more! dei, walmart, racial inequality, roe v wade, racial wealth gap, diversity, seva global, equality, equality institute, lgbtq-owned business, walgreens false full 4 84c1fa24-a857-4941-b9d0-d35eed4a2192 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Still Learning This week I had a bunch of planning meetings in anticipation of upcoming keynotes. About 80% of the time, the client advises: “As a heads up, our employees are generally pretty conservative.” I’ve heard this from clients in many industries: financial services, energy, manufacturing, commercial real estate, and more.

Still, they’re willing to learn – and admit what they don’t know. Recently I had an attendee from a “conservative” industry send me a private email hours after the keynote sharing a recent experience being called out on their own microaggressions towards others, and looking for some additional resources to be better informed in the future.

I appreciated this email so much because it required some vulnerability for that person to reach out to me, share an embarrassing experience, and ask for resources. It also showed humility and curiosity, both of which are essential to the work of DEI.

I appreciate that you take the time to read 5 Things – because we’re all still learning. The discipline of writing 5 Things every week is part of my own learning journey.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. The NFL’s First Out Trans Cheerleader Readies for Her Carolina Panthers Debut
  2. Ms. Marvel Is the First Muslim Superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
  3. Ben & Jerry’s Launches Multi-State Billboard Campaign to Support Trans Youth
  4. Biden Administration to Pay White House Interns for the First Time in Recent History
  5. 220 CEOs Demand Immediate Action From the Senate to Reduce Gun Violence

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 14 Jun 2022 16:30:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com ( Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-still-learning-PHklCbYr This week I had a bunch of planning meetings in anticipation of upcoming keynotes. About 80% of the time, the client advises: “As a heads up, our employees are generally pretty conservative.” I’ve heard this from clients in many industries: financial services, energy, manufacturing, commercial real estate, and more.

Still, they’re willing to learn – and admit what they don’t know. Recently I had an attendee from a “conservative” industry send me a private email hours after the keynote sharing a recent experience being called out on their own microaggressions towards others, and looking for some additional resources to be better informed in the future.

I appreciated this email so much because it required some vulnerability for that person to reach out to me, share an embarrassing experience, and ask for resources. It also showed humility and curiosity, both of which are essential to the work of DEI.

I appreciate that you take the time to read 5 Things – because we’re all still learning. The discipline of writing 5 Things every week is part of my own learning journey.

Here are the good vibes I found this week:

  1. The NFL’s First Out Trans Cheerleader Readies for Her Carolina Panthers Debut
  2. Ms. Marvel Is the First Muslim Superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
  3. Ben & Jerry’s Launches Multi-State Billboard Campaign to Support Trans Youth
  4. Biden Administration to Pay White House Interns for the First Time in Recent History
  5. 220 CEOs Demand Immediate Action From the Senate to Reduce Gun Violence

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Still Learning Bernadette Smith 00:16:25 Equality Institute Senior Consultant Patti Flynn and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about history with the NFL's first trans cheerleader, Ben & Jerry's pushing more than just your favorite ice cream, and more! Equality Institute Senior Consultant Patti Flynn and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about history with the NFL's first trans cheerleader, Ben & Jerry's pushing more than just your favorite ice cream, and more! false full 3 6e6a79f9-fb59-4b44-a17d-32559a4c1f6b 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Pride Paradox Happy Pride! I’m going to be honest here…to me, life as a gay person in America right now feels like whiplash. On one hand, we’re seeing rainbow everything and everywhere this year – from products at IKEA and Target to tweets like this from the Marines. It’s so extreme that I’ve seen posts decrying the commodification of pride. They’re not wrong. And also, I really love rainbows.

This week, Equality Institute Associate Facilitator Darnell Adams and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI:

  • Unilever Is Skipping Rainbow Merchandise & Pride Floats. They’d Rather Make an Actual Difference
  • Members of Ukraine’s LGBTQ Community Who Sign Up for the War Have Taken to Sewing the Image of the Mythical Beast Into Their Uniforms Just Below the National Flag
  • Shonda Rhimes Launches Two New DEI Initiatives With Netflix
  • Virgin Atlantic Makes History With New Change to Employee Dress Code
  • Slack Will Teach Your Co-workers How to Pronounce Your Name

5 Things / Pride Paradox blog show notes: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-pride-paradox

Follow us:

  • Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-equality-institute/
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theequalityinstitute/
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equalityinstitute

Subscribe to the 5 Things in 15 Minutes newsletter: http://5thingsdei.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Tue, 7 Jun 2022 16:11:59 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com (Bernadette Smith, Darnell Adams) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-pride-paradox-HEk7bOHg Happy Pride! I’m going to be honest here…to me, life as a gay person in America right now feels like whiplash. On one hand, we’re seeing rainbow everything and everywhere this year – from products at IKEA and Target to tweets like this from the Marines. It’s so extreme that I’ve seen posts decrying the commodification of pride. They’re not wrong. And also, I really love rainbows.

This week, Equality Institute Associate Facilitator Darnell Adams and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI:

  • Unilever Is Skipping Rainbow Merchandise & Pride Floats. They’d Rather Make an Actual Difference
  • Members of Ukraine’s LGBTQ Community Who Sign Up for the War Have Taken to Sewing the Image of the Mythical Beast Into Their Uniforms Just Below the National Flag
  • Shonda Rhimes Launches Two New DEI Initiatives With Netflix
  • Virgin Atlantic Makes History With New Change to Employee Dress Code
  • Slack Will Teach Your Co-workers How to Pronounce Your Name

5 Things / Pride Paradox blog show notes: https://www.theequalityinstitute.com/equality-insights-blog/5-things-pride-paradox

Follow us:

  • Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-equality-institute/
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theequalityinstitute/
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equalityinstitute

Subscribe to the 5 Things in 15 Minutes newsletter: http://5thingsdei.com/

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things in 15 Minutes / Pride Paradox Bernadette Smith, Darnell Adams 00:17:36 Equality Institute Associate Facilitator Darnell Adams and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about more than just floats for pride month, Ukraine & Unicorns, tattoos on Virgin Atlantic, and much more! Equality Institute Associate Facilitator Darnell Adams and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about more than just floats for pride month, Ukraine & Unicorns, tattoos on Virgin Atlantic, and much more! pride month, shonda rhimes, dei, netflix, slack, ukraine, lgbtq+, unilever, virgin atlantic false full 2 22c3455d-08ed-4c60-82cc-a76d45606ba5 5 Things In 15 Minutes Trailer  I discovered that there 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 them with their organizations, families, and friends.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> Thu, 2 Jun 2022 14:00:00 +0000 bernadette@theequalityinstitute.com ( Bernadette Smith) https://5-things-in-15-minutes-bringing-good-vibes-to-dei.simplecast.com/episodes/5-things-in-15-minutes-trailer-xn_VNoYT  I discovered that there 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 them with their organizations, families, and friends.

Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

]]> 5 Things In 15 Minutes Trailer Bernadette Smith 00:03:14 What's 5 Things? Bernadette shares stories of good news and inspirational diversity, equity, and inclusion policies you can adapt for your own organization. What's 5 Things? Bernadette shares stories of good news and inspirational diversity, equity, and inclusion policies you can adapt for your own organization. equity, dei, diversity, equality institute, inclusion, 5 things in 15 minutes false full 1