Imagine yourself in a world of open-armed opportunities for all. It’s what we all say we want. However, there still exist many shallow, external factors that people consciously or unconsciously use to exclude others. Why do humans do this? Why not take the strengths and perspectives of people of various ages, races, genders, and backgrounds and use their viewpoints to enhance our communities, organizations, businesses, and our lives? Sometimes we just need a little help learning how to do this, and this episode shows us how and why we can effectively make positive changes.
We invited two guests who have advanced the DEI: diversity, equity, and inclusion movement. They are successful professionals in the Detroit, Michigan area who have much to say about the challenges they’ve witnessed and faced themselves. Gail Perry-Mason is a financial advisor and executive, speaker, author and philanthropist. She founded of Money Matters for Youth, which helps kids with financial awareness and literacy. Mark S. Lee is President & CEO, The LEE Group, a strategic marketing consulting firm. He's also an educator at three different universities and a dynamic radio host. Both have stories that will enlighten, challenge, inspire and instruct.
In this episode, we talk about ways to change our language, minds, hearts, and actions in order to see better results for everyone. It truly is a win-win. Our country prides itself on being a melting pot and a place that offers “liberty and justice for all” not just for those who look like the Founding Fathers. Let’s aim for a self-corrected course and find ways to genuinely include others. Sometimes the first step is to recognize bias within ourselves.
For anyone who is not convinced that these biases still exist, take a look at this example of bias when it comes to artificial intelligence, computer algorithms, and even our beloved Google. In 2016, the Washington Post reported on a sad situation—if you typed in a Google search for “three white teenagers” they would get images of happy young teens whimsically smiling or posing for selfies or holding sports gear. If you typed in a Google search for “three black teenagers” they would receive images of black teen mugshots. The internet was biased, and the algorithms had to be changed. Fortunately, you won’t see that now when you enter searches, but the damage of things like this has been done and similar situations still exist.
When we become more aware, we can take proactive measures to make positive changes. Click play for a great discussion on diversity, equity and inclusion.
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
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