Personal Equity Learning Journey

Part 5 of a Series

One way that you can advance racial equity is to educate yourself and others about issues impacting communities of color. In this series, SVP Partners and staff share what they have been reading, listening to, and watching as a part of their personal equity journeys. We hope this will inspire you!

SVP Board Member and Partner Eva Maribona, MBA, SHRM-CP

“In an effort to continue my learning and consider how I can have a better impact on moving DEI initiatives forward in my communities, I've been reading the book DEI Deconstructed: Your No-Nonsense Guide to Doing the Work and Doing It Right by Lily Zeng. Even though I work for a culturally-specific, minority-led organization, I recognize our work is never done in examining and challenging the systems we've either inherited, created or used, to achieve better DEI outcomes where needed. A knowledge nugget I've taken from the book is that EVERYONE, no matter their role or whether "DEI" is in their title or not, has a role to play in advancing effective DEI outcomes. We should all be asking ourselves what role we can play in advancing DEI change-making wherever we are at any given time. For my current role this looks like a lot of different things. One example is making sure an equity assessment and lens is incorporated into our organization's upcoming strategic planning process by working with a trusted DEI expert and strategy planning consultant to help lead us through this exciting time.” 

SVP Partner Kirt Nilsson

“Invisible Man is a good DEI resource because it forces the idea that racism is complex in the characters, conflicts and resolutions it presents. It’d have been easier if a toolbox were offered as I connect with DEI. Invisible Man reminds me that there is nothing easy or simple about it – constant work to do.”

SVP Partner Steve Maser

“If I accept the results of the Harvard Implicit Bias Test, I am biased in ways that I didn't think I was. With that awareness, I do my best to manage my behavior. Someone who participates in structured DEI training presumably has an open mind, or at least an inquisitive one. If so, the best DEI training is life experience – unstructured – and reflection: interacting with a diversity of people, supporting others in ways they wish, traveling or living in areas where you are in the minority, etc. SVP contributing partners engage in the first two. For a structured DEI training, the best I have experienced was Knowing Who You Are (KWYA), which I did as part of my work as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children. This training allows individuals the opportunity to develop personal awareness of their own racial and ethnic identity. It also teaches about the importance of this knowledge, even to the youngest child. KWYA workshops serve as catalysts in developing consciousness to issues important to children and their families, while introducing participants to the impacts of systemic racism on various factions of society.”