My thoughts on allyship + corporate lessons around diversity and inclusion
After the death of George Floyd in 2020, many companies began emphasizing concepts like diversity, equity, inclusion, and belongingness (DEIB). In the simplest of terms, they want to show they care about diverse communities and are actively addressing the challenges they face. Companies were even investing millions to build teams, programs, trainings, community partnerships, and funding opportunities to uplift those born at a disadvantage. However, because DEIB is “the wave” and everyone’s doing some version of it, they often face criticism about the sincerity of their efforts (from the left wing) or whether it's necessary at all (from the right wing).
But I’m not here to stir pot, or debate about it.
Instead, I want to spend time defining what these corporations are looking to achieve, learning from them, and applying some of their efforts into our everyday lives.
Have you heard of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB)?
Yes, I have!
Girl, you're getting real corporate on me (Lol)...
Corporate Allyship
When you walk through a Target in the beginning of June and see a section filled with LGTBQ+ products – that’s called marketing first. But then, it’s called allyship.
When Disney introduces their fourth character of color (Ariel, Tinker Bell, Belle, and now Hercules’s)—that’s called representation first. But then, it’s called allyship.
When Netflix creates a ‘Black Lives Matter’ station, with all the black classics in February— that’s called smart first (Lol). But then, it’s called allyship.
What these companies are trying to do is show their understanding of who you are—your identity, beliefs, values, and traditions. They want to be perceived as supportive of you (and the challenges you might face as a member of a marginalized or disadvantaged group).
After all, most of us have likely been consumers of Netflix, Target, and Disney at some point, and they want to make sure we continue spending our money with them.
Empathy & Understanding
Corporate marketers have excelled at getting to know you intimately.
They’ve spent time understanding your experiences as a black person, a Latinx person, an Asian person, an indigenous person, a low-income person, a queer person, a disabled person, a neurodiverse person, and a woman.
They’ve explored the inequalities you're likely to face and the causes you're likely to be interested in (like systemic oppression, lack of opportunity, prejudice/discrimination, minority stress, lack of social support, unequal pay, unfair housing, social stigma, and limited access to quality healthcare). True allies meet you exactly where you're at — in your history and celebratory moments (e.g., Pride, June Teenth, Cinco De Mayo), and in your sorrows and moments of silent discomfort (e.g., historical traumas, ignorance, microaggressions, brutalities). Their efforts are rooted in a profound understanding and concern for who you are and what matters most to you.
Then, they turn around and sale to you because the relationship is built, and they still have to make money to increase their bottom line.
Learning & Application
The unfortunate event with George Floyd has highlighted the opportunity for organizational allyship and support of black communities against one form of oppression. As the conversation on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging continues in corporate america, a blueprint is emerging on how to approach allyship in our everyday lives.
If you have a friend, family member, or someone in your community holding more than one marginalized identities (low-income, ethnic/racial minority, LGBTQIA+, disabled, indigenous), you want to ensure a thorough understanding of everyday allyship. This means recognizing your privilege and personal biases, accepting feedback, educating yourself, intentionally checking in, showing regard, withholding judgement, and demonstrating advocacy and support as they navigate a world that may be unfamiliar to you.
If Disney, Target, and Netflix can invest time in understanding and supporting customers they've never met, surely you can dedicate time to practice the same approach with loved ones who are near and dear to you.
Doing the personal work is not just about healing and self-improvement; it's also about showing up for people from all walks of life and being a safe person for them to exist among.
-DYWork
Where are you in your allyship journey?
Now that you mentioned it...
I've been doing the personal work (proud emoji).
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