Inclusify means “reimagining diversity, inclusion, and belonging at the intersection of community, research and technology”.
The Inclusify workshop was at the Matrix Hotel – Quartz Ballroom from 6 pm to 10:00 pm. They had a variety of speakers. The speakers and moderators included Carrie Smith, Lisa Dublin, Catherine Anley, Prof.Philip E. Semple, Jessica Borland, Nada Lena, Litzy Baeza, Nawsheen Saumtally, and Erin Noble, Shafana Mitha, Nadira Barre, Lindsay Rainbow and others.
LCCMedia’s Tee Adeyemo moderated the panel on Allyship.
Allyship is the lifelong process of building relationships based on trust, consistency, and accountability with marginalized individuals and groups of people.
The panels were designed for people to hear stories and best practices for engaging allies for greater impact and for people to learn how to create a culture of respect that mitigates against bullying and harassment.
Duke Nguyen researched the questions that were brainstormed in the panel session:
What does it mean to be an ally, a champion or an advocate? Are there any differences between these words?
Do you have any personal experiences with the importance and significance of these concepts?
What challenges have you face in working to become a better advocate?
When talking about allyship, people often mention intersectionality, but what does it means or how do incorporate it in our thinking and behavior?
To what extent have the systems and structures we serve under been adjusted over the years to respond to contemporary interest of diverse groups as these concepts continue to evolve?
What role can we play to ensure changes to the status quo that fails to serve all people equitably?
Tools / Strategies
If someone is afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing, do you have any recommendations for them? If someone is afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing, do you have any recommendations for them?
Some said we need to wait for people to ask for allyship to start advocating for them. Do you have any thoughts about these comments?
We all want to be an effective ally and avoid “performative allyship.” What do I need to watch out for?
How can another group of marginalized people support other groups of marginalized people such as LGBTQ+ group support Indigenous group ?
How can we ensure that marginalized and underrepresented people are given the opportunity to participate fully and freely?How can their voices be heard or emboldened, and not intimidated or bullied, to effect necessary changes that support their advancement?
How can we create more inclusive spaces for people from diverse populations beyond the few BIPOC representation at different levels and higher decision-making tables?
What successful strategies have you adopted in the past to create inclusive and equitable experience for people from diverse backgrounds? What in your opinion are the best practices that can be used to mitigate or reduce the impact of culture and language barriers on the advancement and growth of marginalized people?How can people from diverse backgrounds be encouraged and empowered to take on leadership roles and be successful even with a foreign accent or unfamiliar style of dressing or different physical characteristics?
Actions / Commitments:
What actions can you commit to in your current positions and spaces to be a better ally, support people of diverse backgrounds, challenge the status quo and ensure the success and equitable contribution of all people?
WODIL 2022 | Diversity, Inclusion and Equity with Hilda Fankah- Arthur
