First Gen: Improve Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace

Dear First Gen -

As a first-generation professional, there is much to learn about "professionalism in the workplace" such as email etiquette, negotiating salaries, performance reviews, networking, sponsorship, mentorship, and similarly critical, encouraging your employer to prioritize diversity and inclusion (D&I) .

​Here are two approaches to improve D&I when responding to an initial refusal. 

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​Below is a transcription of the video:

• 0:01 - 0:30
Hello, my Fellow Risers! Hope all is well. I'm doing fine! Today, I just want to talk about a few things because in this world that we live in right now where there's a lot of racial justice comments and opinions that are going around. I've learned something in this moment that I just think has been valuable to me.

The first thing I want to share is that it is so important to take notice of when “no” may not be the final answer.

• 0:30 - 1:00
And I say that because many times I've heard people say “I am set, this is the decision.” “There's no turning back.” I just think that kind of finality is just unsettling for me because if we have an opportunity to diversify a group, if we have an opportunity to bring in other perspectives, to bring in diverse perspectives, to bring in people who are black who are people of color then I...

• 1:00 - 1:30
I think that is an opportunity where we can extend the conversation. I've heard plenty of times when it's not the right moment. We'll keep looking. But if you are offered an opportunity where we can extend the conversation, and if you are offered an opportunity to give recommendations to extend the conversation. Then do it! Because “no” is not the final answer for when we are trying to make more creative thought happen within a place.

• 1:31 - 2:00
Within the workplace, or create a thought from diverse perspectives can happen because that is vital to making sure that when we are on, you know, are creating a future for other people for you know, children who will eventually get to become adults. We want to make sure that we've set the stage up for them to be able to already have this kind of framework to already have this kind of environment exist.

• 2:00 - 2:30
And the other thing that I've noticed at this moment in time is to allow pauses to happen. Sometimes people need to sit with what you sent them. Sometimes you need to sit with which you've received from somebody else. Because what I valued more now than I've ever is...I'm always wanting to do a quick response. I was want to get to you know, the response get someone the answer.

• 2:30 - 3:00
But sometimes people would I've learned may need to reread what they sent you, and then from that they might already be able to you know rewind or you know, correct what they've said on their own without you having to do so because that right there is important because they might wonder why is there a pause? Why is there a break in this conversation where there once was not? So I really encourage you to things again. First is to be sure not to make “no” always the end of the conversation.

• 3:00 - 3:30
Because people might need to be reminded on how to extend it when it comes to having more Black people. Having more People of Color in the room in the conversation and their perspectives part of the conversation. And then the second part is when it is best for you to take a pause. Do so! Don’t shy away from a pause.

• 3:30 - 3:56
People don't like that break in conversation, but allow the break and conversation because sometimes people need to just then move and realize wait a minute...what's happened? Is this now my part to come in? Should I make a comment about it? So I say again really allow for those pauses to happen because sometimes it will be to your benefit and to someone's correction.


Fellow Riser, 

Irnande

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