Ahmmad Brown

My approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is grounded in my personal journey. From growing up in a low-income Black family to earning a doctorate from Harvard, I came to understand the interplay between the choices we make and the opportunities we are given. My approach is also rooted in my training as a sociologist and my desire to create the change I want to see in the world.

 

Here’s what all that has taught me about DEI.

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"DEI is strategy."

 

DEI is still a developing field, with various perspectives and approaches, and practitioners are not always aligned on what DEI means or how it should be done. My own perspective is that effective DEI work incorporates learnings from academic study, but ultimately must be deeply rooted in real-world contexts – with a commitment to addressing the unique challenges that organizations face. It’s about addressing inequality through hands-on engagement, learning from successes and failures, and adapting as we go.

 

Addressing inequality requires attention to both organizational structures and culture. Structures provide the foundation for fairness and access, but culture shapes how people experience those structures. Social identity categories, such as race, gender, and class, can play a key role in determining whether individuals can compete fairly in these systems.

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"DEI work is about creating environments where everyone can thrive."

 

DEI is not one-size-fits-all. Best practices vary by context, and what works in one organization may not work in another. Disagreement and resistance within the organization are part of the process – they’re data to be engaged, not dismissed. DEI work asks us to consider and understand how changes will impact all members of an organization, including those who may feel threatened by shifts in power dynamics.

 

DEI work is about ensuring just processes and creating environments where everyone can thrive. It’s about creating meaningful change through honest dialogue and strategic action. We must listen, adapt, and build solutions that are context-specific and aligned with the goals of the organization. This work is much more than trainings and workshops. It’s strategy. It’s about developing an integrated plan to recruit, retain, and collaborate with diverse people to achieve success.