Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) & Generative AI

We had an outstanding in-person meeting of i4cp’s Chief Diversity Officer Board on March 25^th in advance of the 2024 Next Practices Now Conference in Scottsdale, AZ.
The main themes of our varied sessions included:

• Greater insights shared by Jenny Yang, former Deputy Assistant to the President for Racial Justice and Equity, on how our Board can continue and expand our interactions with federal agencies and legislative caucus groups. We discussed what agencies we should prioritize (e.g., EEOC and OFCCP) and how to override the loud narrative that’s currently assaulting the work of supporting our talent through surfacing data and stories highlighting what DEIA is focused on in a corporate setting. We discussed how addressing a reasonable manifest imbalance in talent is still a legal justification for many equity and representation programs. We also discussed the recent funding bill that eliminated the House office of DE&I, how similar setbacks have played out at the Department of Defense, and further attacks on LGBTQIA+ work at government agencies. (further Q&A notes will be added shortly).
• We then had a hot topic discussion on the need for a DEI/CDO Association that can champion more rigor on the efficacy of those entering the field and guidance on the competencies and knowledge needed to champion an effective program. While we will continue discussion on this topic, for now we see i4cp as a research advisor on and potential partner on the venture – with leadership and entrepreneurial support from a third party. Current action from our group will is a proposed research topic looking at CDO competencies and internal DEI knowledge and necessary structures to support a professional and sustainable practice. (more to come w/need for further discussion).
• We were then joined by three members of The Player’s Alliance – MLB players Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson, and Interim Executive Director, Margarette Purvis – to discuss baseball’s systemic barriers to equity & inclusion and how the Player’s Alliance is creating pathways to opportunities on and off the field for a stronger pipeline of black talent. (more to come).
• The Board then delved into upskilling leaders in human-centric leadership capabilities – facilitated by Board co-chair, Corinne Abramson – beginning by sharing development programs for inclusive leadership, fostering belonging, and building trust and empathy. i4cp research was shared in the attached deck.
• We then moved outside to the patio for roundtable discussions on new use cases for AI in DE&I and on Resetting DE&I Nomenclature (or how language and communications are evolving to address the current challenges to the field. (details to come)
• The meeting wrapped with our Board dinner at Toro Latin Restaurant – with discussions continuing throughout the rest of the conference.