5 Things / FAQ
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I enjoyed a few days last week in Monterrey, MX, a beautiful, vibrant city in the mountains with a kind pickleball community. It reminded me that community is everywhere if you look for it. Feel free to follow me on Instagram.
Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of questions about how I’m doing in the face of all this anti-DEI noise. Here are my responses to some Frequently Asked Questions:
How’s business?
It’s pretty rough, to be honest. I’m grateful we have a few larger contracts that are ongoing. New business is way down. It seems a lot of organizations are sticking with some of the work, but quietly and without the support of external professionals.
Ooph. That stinks. How are you and the team holding up?
Overall, pretty well, but some days are really hard. I give most days 4 / 5 stars. We all have other passions and outlets and have built up loads of resilience over the years.
Are you pivoting your business?
That’s not my plan. If and when I do, that decision will come from a place of intuition, inspiration, and integrity – not fear. If that happens, I promise to inform you right away.
Wow, that sounds either foolish or stubborn! Are you changing anything?
We’ve made minor adjustments in our marketing copy, as we always do, but nothing dramatic. I believe too much in this work to dilute the message. I know this work will remain important.
Gotcha. So you’re not looking for full-time employment?
Definitely not. I’m all in. At the end of the day, I trust myself. I believe in my voice, my message, and my values. Much of the rest I can’t control. I’m trusting myself (and the universe) and I’m not trying to force anything that feels out of alignment or that doesn’t excite me.
Are you rebranding 5 Things: Good Vibes in DEI?
That’s not the plan. Admittedly, the good vibes are really hard to find these days (so please send me any you see!), but I’m committed to shining a light on what’s working so we can be inspired to do more of that! Again, any future change will come from inspiration, not fear.
Are you going to monetize 5 Things?
5 Things will always be free. I’ve been doing this for six years and I’m keeping it free.
Really? You might be leaving money on the table.
Ok, at some point, I may add some low-cost add-on subscriptions. It seems everyone has a subscription now. Have you seen any ideas that you think would make sense, or that would be helpful to you?
I’ll get back to you. So, with all of the uncertainty, what are you excited about?
I’m excited about helping more client-facing employees use our ARC Method® to build more authentic relationships with their increasingly diverse clients. Also, pickleball, stand-up comedy, and the communities I’ve formed as a result. I also have an epic summer vacation planned with my son.
How can I help support your work?
Thanks for asking! Invite me to speak! Speaking is my superpower.
I have a great new keynote on turning challenges into momentum.
AND / OR - Would you be willing to introduce me to Sales Leaders who want to help their team avoid cringey moments and build more authentic relationships with their increasingly diverse clients?
Also, please share 5 Things! Spread the word!
Any tips for staying positive and strong? It’s been stressful for me, too.
My first tip is to find some kind of outlet and community, a place where you can laugh and find joy. I also recommend learning a few mindfulness techniques so you can manage yourself in moments of acute stress and panic. Give your brain little happy hits of movement, music, pet snuggles, whatever works. Also, find things to be grateful for every day and look for ways to be generous and helpful to others.
Parting words?
The world needs you. Fully. Authentically. Unapologetically. Be curious. Be kind. Use your voice for good. And seriously, put your phone down and go have some fun.
Too much information? Sorry not sorry! 😁
Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:
Global Inclusion? Still Très Chic.
French companies were threatened when the US administration demanded they drop all DEI programs or lose government contracts. Instead of folding, France firmly rejected the pressure and affirmed their commitment to equity. France has legal requirements for gender equity on boards and a history of inclusion practices. Meanwhile, 77% of Japanese employers are also staying the course on DEI, proving that global momentum is still strong despite U.S. backlash. ♐Let your DEI efforts reflect courage, not compliance.
Streaming Gets Sign-Savvy, Finally
HBO’s Max is breaking new ground by offering The Last of Us in American Sign Language (ASL), the first HBO original series with an interpreter superimposed on-screen. Season 2 is starting, but this move retroactively includes Season 1. While Max has added ASL to a few major films, this marks a major leap for episodic TV and showcases how accessibility can be seamlessly integrated into premium content. There are more than 1 million Deaf ASL users in the U.S. ♐This normalizes ASL in high-profile shows and challenges systemic erasure of Deaf communities in entertainment.
Tag, You’re Included
At this year’s Game Developers Conference, industry giants like Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, and Ubisoft unveiled the Accessible Games Initiative, a coordinated push to make video games more transparent about what they offer players with disabilities. Standardized accessibility tags will be introduced across digital storefronts, flagging accessible features like large subtitles, narrated menus, and customizable controls, letting players know before purchase whether a game meets their needs. This was developed with direct input from disabled gamers and advocates. ♐Center marginalized voices in the design process to create more just and joyful customer experiences.
From Shelter to Sisterhood
Reality star Ts Madison has turned her former Atlanta home into the Ts Madison Starter House, a safe reentry space for formerly incarcerated Black trans women. Run in partnership with local nonprofits, this first-of-its-kind Southern initiative provides holistic support, from mental health care to entrepreneurship workshops. Residents are honored as “stakeholders,” reinforcing their rightful place in the movement for Black queer and trans liberation. ♐47% have experienced incarceration, but his home flips the script by offering stability, dignity, and opportunity where society too often offers neglect.
Parental Leave That Walks the Talk
While only 27% of U.S. private sector workers had access to paid family leave in 2023—and just 6% of low-wage workers—Hewlett Packard Enterprise leads in parental leave policies. Employees receive 26 weeks of fully paid parental leave, a soft reentry period, backup childcare, and real support to unplug. Women there average 33 weeks off, and 95% of employees say they get the flexibility they need. ♐This model dismantles the false choice between career and family.
Good Vibes to Go:
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.