5 Things / Sticky
I had a sales call this week that reminded me exactly why I built the Inclusive 360 assessment – and why I keep showing up.
This fintech company isn’t backing off from DEI — they’re all in. They’ve already helped employees become more aware, and now they’re figuring out how to embed DEI into every function of their business. They want to use our tool to identify the gaps, and then close them. That’s the goal. That’s what real progress looks like — making DEI sticky.
This is how DEI becomes the default. When inclusion is part of how things run, it’s a hell of a lot harder to take away.
I know the anti-DEI backlash is loud and exhausting. But this work is still happening. Companies are moving forward. Leaders are stepping up. And we are not stopping.
So if you’re feeling discouraged: Keep going. Keep leading. Keep building a more inclusive world — we are not turning back.
This Week’s Good Vibes:
Roller Derby Skates Forward
The Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusivity by clarifying its gender statement, despite recent U.S. policy shifts. The updated statement ensures that all people of marginalized genders—women (including trans, cis, intersex, and gender-expansive women), non-binary, Two-Spirit, and intersex individuals—are welcome in all roles. WFTDA also maintains that gender identity is private and will not impose any presentation standards. ♐This explicit proactive stance signals unwavering support for gender inclusivity in sports.
Turning City Noise into Comfort
At a New York City public school where students with autism struggle with highway noise, designers installed soundscape pods—movable bumblebee-shaped shelters that let kids choose calming sounds like birds or rain instead of blaring traffic. Meanwhile, the Neurodiverse City project is flipping urban design by handing instant cameras and sensory frames to neurodivergent participants, letting them document what feels safe, stressful, or soothing. Their feedback has inspired soft public seating, nature-inspired murals, and noise-buffering elements to make city spaces genuinely welcoming. ♐Ask what your audience needs to thrive!
Mining Inclusion
Teck Resources’ Chilean mine sites have Inclusion Centres, which provide professional counseling, gender-based violence prevention training, and wellness support in an industry notorious for male dominance and isolation. The results? A jump in female mine workers from 16% to 27% in just two years and over 7,000 employees and community members trained on sexual harassment prevention, diversity, and mental health. ♐Workplace inclusion isn’t just an HR initiative—it’s about real, structural support that makes industries safer, more equitable, and ultimately, more resilient.
Breaking the Funding Bottleneck
Stacy Brown-Philpot, former TaskRabbit CEO, just closed a $172M fund (with major backers) to invest in underrepresented founders. Her firm tackles an often-overlooked form of economic oppression: the funding gap for underrepresented founders after seed rounds. While many startups struggle to secure follow-on investment, women, Black, and Brown founders face even greater barriers, with less than 2% of VC dollars historically going to Black entrepreneurs. ♐Underrepresented talent isn’t a risk—it’s an opportunity.
'The Daily Show' Roasts Anti-DEI Rollbacks
The Daily Show isn’t letting the anti-DEI movement slide. In a mock HR training video, hosts Jordan Klepper and Desi Lydic hilariously guide workers through "unlearning" the lessons of the past four years — microaggressions, wrongful firings, and mediocre white men failing upward are back. The sketch brilliantly exposes how dismantling DEI doesn’t erase bias—it just makes it easier to ignore. ♐Comedy is a powerful tool against injustice.
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+.