September 24, 2020
Daniel Griggs, Forbes
With the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement and the national dialogue about racial injustice, workplace diversity has become a popular topic in the business community. Companies and entire industries are taking a harder look at systematic barriers to professional advancement, as well as how internalized racism can play out in common business scenarios.
As a Black entrepreneur, I notice the ways in which the business world is stepping up to the plate, but I also notice common misconceptions about what workplace diversity means. The foundation of workplace diversity is intentionally employing and giving equitable treatment to employees with varying religious, racial, ethnic and educational backgrounds, as well as those of different ages, genders and sexual orientations, but hiring policies are just the first step toward an inclusive workplace.
Here are the five biggest misconceptions about workplace diversity that I have come across as a Black business owner and entrepreneur.