What is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion?

Today's world is seeing the need to understand diverse perspectives from underrepresented individuals in their present community, environment, and so forth. Diversity can be viewed from many different perspectives; Mckinsey & Company addressed the description through gender, age, ethnicity, physical ability, and neurodiversity. It is essential to understand the wide range of defined aspects of diversity. Equity is the equitable treatment for all individuals through knowledge that the norms present are neither identified nor predict the individual's success. McKinsey and Company address the difference between equality and equity. "Equality is giving everyone the same pair of shoes. Equity is giving everyone a pair of shoes that fits. (Rise, n.d.)". Inclusion is embracing oneself in the current environment, community, workplace, etc. Inclusion aims to comfort all individuals and ensure all voices are heard. All three are values that are closely linked in order to incorporate a space for all progressively.

Origin of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Past and Present

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is not a recent movement; it has been defined in the United States since the start of the 1960s civil rights movement. Prepared by Margo Edmunds, Ph.D., and Dorcas Lind, MPH, provided a glossary to help cultivate knowledge regarding social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion through the support of the DEI Advisory Group. The movement has grown to include gender, sexual orientation, religion, country of origin, and other identities, concluding a sense of intersectionality. We have seen movements such as #MeToo, #BlackLivesMatter, and #StopAAPIHate, which has sparked the need for representation and compelled Americans to reflect on the social inequalities in our nation (Dong, 2021). In addition, the growing DEI understanding shows a growing market for professional leadership roles.

Spark of a New Profession

Due to the rise in the need for representation in all areas, DEI programs have given rise to significant investment to improve overall performance and retention. According to Indeed data, the demand for diversity, inclusion, and belonging (DI&B) roles has increased significantly over the past year (Murray, n.d.). Through the decline of the U.S. economy in the Spring of 2020, the DI&B market has recovered significantly, with a job rise of an astounding 123% between May and September. In addition, due to the events of a nationwide protest, industries have expressed support for the Black Lives Matter Movement, enforcing equality in and outside the workplace (Murray, n.d). With the drive for incentives and programming to increase and cultivate DEI, we must understand that there is no shortcut to establishing the change needed in one's workplace and, most importantly, in society. As a result, we must continue to advocate to make the environment more diverse, equitable, and inclusive.