Authentically Pursuing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The First Step to Changing the World.

U.S. Eddie LoveOctober 12, 2018

Are you a world changer¹?
This is the daunting question I ask myself on daily basis.

Growing up as a young black man in Alabama, I experienced and witnessed racism, modern day segregation, and targeting. Whether it was:

Experiencing the demise of childhood friendships due to their parents being uncomfortable with their children having a person of color as a friend.
Having policemen confront me because they simply didn’t believe I owned a car such as mine.
Being called a slave at a national diversity conference, one of the few places I thought I’d be safe.
Hearing outsiders and others state I do not belong on a tennis court because it is not “our” sport.
Enduring harassment at restaurants or department stores by both staff and patrons, simply because I did not “look” as if I belonged.

These moments dramatically shifted my perception of the world prompting me to view things as more black and white.

Addressing the obstacles to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is among the top opportunities facing our country, and rightfully so. However, it is important to recognize that DEI issues expand beyond our local, regional, and national scope. Over time, I’ve learned that there are many people discussing these issues, yet very few are leading the charge for change.

As I aspire to be a world changer, I recently decided to begin my journey by combatting the embedded socialization that enables discrimination, inequality, and exclusion, specifically within the environmental conservation sector. As a first step, I began to reflect and ask a series of questions that would best prepare me for the next level.

What does it mean to be a leader?
Where can I improve?
Where can I most effectively raise awareness of these issues?
How do I ensure the next generation won’t have to endure what I did?
Am I leading by example and following the values I’d like to see instilled in others?

Self-Reflection…
I immersed myself in deep thought and slowly recognized how painful each of my past experiences was, and how urgent it is that we identify solutions to bring about DEI. I recently participated in the RAY Marine Conservation Diversity Fellowship, where I was able to witness first-hand the disparities between gender, race, and other underrepresented groups in the environmental sector. This opportunity not only inspired me but led me to the Environmental Leadership Program (ELP).

The Experience…
ELP is an organization which sets out to build a diverse community of emerging environmental and social change leaders. ELP is transformative for those who participate in the program and is designed to build upon their existing skills to enhance their effectiveness. ELP hosts several regional fellowships and a national fellowship that serves as their mechanism for driving and inspiring change.

Each regional fellowship aims to catalyze change by providing emerging leaders with the support and guidance needed to launch new endeavors, achieve new successes, and rise to new leadership positions. All regional fellowships host three retreats throughout the year and set out to provide the following:

Training and Learning opportunities to increase leadership capacity
Connecting fellows with peers through regional and national networks.
Link fellows with experienced environmental leaders
Focus attention on developing the next generation leaders.

Initially, I approached this opportunity with a closed mind and was unsure of the purpose it would serve. I was hesitant to apply, but with a little convincing from my colleagues at The Ocean Foundation as well as my peers, I decided to accept a position into the program. Following the first retreat, I immediately understood the significance of the program.

After the first retreat, I became encouraged and gained inspiration from my peers. Most importantly, I left feeling fully equipped to confront any issue thanks to the skills and tools provided. The cohort is comprised of upper, mid, and entry-level employees with vastly different backgrounds. Our cohort was extremely supportive, passionate, caring, and determined to change the world we live in and building a connection with each cohort member extends beyond the fellowship. As we all continue to grow and fight for change, we will maintain our relationships, share any ideas or struggles with the group, and support one another. This was an eye-opening experience that filled me with hope and joy, and several lessons to share with my networks.

The Lessons…
Unlike other fellowships, this one challenges you to critically think about how you can make a difference. It doesn’t allow or leave room for you to accept the thought that everything is perfect, but rather to acknowledge there is always room for growth.

Each retreat focuses on three different and complementary topics to enhance your professionalism and leadership skills.

Retreat 1 – Importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Retreat 2 – Creating Learning Organizations
Retreat 3 – Building Personal Leadership and Strengths

Retreat 1 established a solid foundation for our group. It centered around the importance of addressing DEI issues and the many obstacles to doing so. In addition, it provided us with the tools to effectively integrate DEI within our respective organizations and our personal lives.

Takeaway: Do not become discouraged. Use the tools needed to invoke change and remain positive.

Retreat 2 built off the tools we were given and assisted us in understanding how to change our organizational cultures, and be more inclusive in every aspect of our work. The retreat challenged us to think about how to stimulate learning within our organizations.

Takeaway: Strengthen your organization across the board and establish systems

that both work for and include the community.

Retreat 3 will develop and enhance our personal leadership. It will allow us to recognize our strengths, access points, and the ability to influence change through both our voice and actions. The retreat will focus on self-reflection and ensuring you are properly equipped to be a leader and advocate for change.

Takeaway: Understand the power you have and take a stand to make a

difference.

ELP’s program provides toolkits that help you understand individuals and their communication styles, how to maximize your learning, identify your access points to implement change, alter organizational cultures to be more inclusive, explore and expand DEI throughout all aspects of our work, hold uncomfortable or difficult conversations with your peers and colleagues, develop and create a learning organization, influence change unilaterally, and prevent you from becoming discouraged. Each retreat segues perfectly into the next, thus increasing the overall impact the Environmental Leadership Program has.

The Impact and Purpose…

Being a part of the ELP experience has filled me with joy. The program challenges you to think outside of the box and realize the many ways we can establish our respective organizations as leaders within this field. ELP prepares you for the unexpected and drives home the importance of recognizing your access points, utilizing those access points to implement change, and implementing change by establishing general DEI practices within our day-to-day tasks. The program has provided me with several solutions, challenges, and tools to unpack and better understand how to make a difference.

ELP has reaffirmed my initial belief that there is still serious discrimination, inequality, and exclusion throughout the environmental community. Although many are taking steps in the right direction, simply beginning the conversation is not enough and now is the time to act.

It is now time that we set the example of what will and will not be tolerated by first looking within our organizations and asking the following questions about diversity equity and inclusion:

Diversity
Are we diverse and recruiting diverse staff, board members, and constituencies?
Do we support or partner with organizations striving towards being diverse, equitable, and inclusive?
Equity
Are we providing competitive salaries for both men and women?
Are women and other underrepresented groups in leadership roles?
Inclusion
Are we bringing diverse perspectives to the table and not pushing away the majority?
Are communities fully incorporated into DEI efforts?
Are we allowing everyone to have a voice?

As the fellowship comes to a close, I’ve found support in my peers and can truly see that I am not alone in this battle. The fight may be long and hard but we have an opportunity as world-changers to make a difference and stand for what’s right. DEI issues can be complex but are extremely important to consider when thinking of short and long-term impacts. In the environmental sector, our work affects various communities in some form or fashion. Therefore, it is up to us to ensure that at every step, we include those communities in our discussions and decisions.

I hope that as you reflect on my experience you ask yourself, will you be a world changer or simply ride the wave? Speak up for what’s right and lead the charge within your respective organizations.

To learn more about The Ocean Foundation’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative, visit our website.

¹A person who has a deep inner desire to contribute to making the world a better place, be it through political, infrastructure, technological or sociological advances, and puts such impulses to action in order to see such change become a reality, no matter how small.