21-Day Equity Challenge

Congratulations on joining the 21-day Equity Challenge. It takes anywhere from 18 to 254 days for a person to form a new habit and an average of 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic. Start your journey by listening to the short yet powerful and impactful video; Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace by Dupont. Afterward, note one of the challenges and implement it in your workspace.

Equity vs. Equality: Six Steps Toward Equity

Equity vs. Equality: What is the difference?

TED Talk: We Need Leaders Who Boldly Champion Inclusion It's time for leaders to become "rock stars" of inclusion -- and that starts with pushing through discomfort to forge new connections, says veteran broadcaster and diversity leader June Sarpong.

Ted Talk

Why equity matters? LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

To visually see the types of people you encounter in your daily life.

To begin thinking about your level of interaction with people of different races and ethnicities.

Play this 30-minute game with your family, friends, and peers to see how diverse your world is Click Here to Play

“Diversity is being invited to the party, and inclusion is being asked to dance.”

• Ask yourself, how are you currently being not only diverse but also inclusive in your own life?
• What have you done today that is inclusive?
• Going Forward, what are some ways you can be more purposefully inclusive?

• Do a recipe swap with a friend.
• Pick a recipe that is a traditional dish of your family’s culture.

Poem - The Hill We Climb, Amanda Gorman-Poet Laureate. Ponder on the effect of actions she suggests us all to take.

Pick a movie from the suggested list below and ask family and or friends to join you as you engage in changing the conversation. Looking at everyday occurrences with a different lens.

Green Book - A working-class Italian-American bouncer becomes the driver for an African American classical pianist on a tour of venues through the 1960s American South.

13th - In this thought-provoking documentary, scholars, activists, and politicians analyze the criminalization of African Americans in the U.S

The Help -An aspiring author during the civil rights movement of the 1960s decides to write a book detailing the African American maids' point of view on the white.

The Long Walk Home - Two women, black and white, in 1955 Montgomery, Alabama, must decide what they are going to do in response to the famous bus boycott.

Hidden Figures - The story of a team of female African American mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program.

How does gender Bias Really Affect Women in the Workplace?

42 percent of women experience gender discrimination at work. In 2022, 59 percent of women said they had experienced harassment or microaggressions at work in the past year. 93 percent of women say they fear reporting non-inclusive behaviors at work will have a negative effect on their careers.

Suggested Reading:

Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men is a 2019 book by British feminist author Caroline Criado Perez. The book describes the adverse effects on women caused by gender bias in big data collection.

I’m not Yelling: A Black Woman’s Guide to Navigating the Workplace (Successful Black Businesswomen) by Elizabeth Leiba - "What a gift to Black women in the workplace! For those committed to challenging stereotypes and enhancing workplace inclusion, this book is a must-read."

Listen and check out the lyrics

Where is the Love by Black Eye Peas - Listen two to three times and reflect on the lyrics.

Revolutionary by Josh Wilson Listen two to three times and reflect on the lyrics.  

Visit an art museum. Explore different cultural exhibits and research one that stands out to you.

Chrysler Museum - chrysler.org

Hampton Museum - hampton.gov

Russa Moton Museum - motonmuseum.org

African American History Museum - nmaahc.si.edu

Richmond Fine Art Museum - vmfa.museum

Take a few minutes to write down your thoughts and feelings about diversity.

• Is there something you can do to change the conversations?
• What are some ways you can develop good habits to promote both equity and inclusion?

“Blind Spots” two short videos. Watch and reflect on how to apply it in your life.

Blind Spots: Challenge Assumptions 

Blind Spots: Enhance Objectivity

Reading - Teaching children about diversity and inclusion

Today's Family Magazine

Research women-owned businesses in the Hampton Roads Area and pick a business to support. Here are a few to get you started:

• Elysian Wellness IV Hydration - Counseling & Mental Health
• Double Take Consignment - Used, Vintage & Consignment
• Get Well Soon - Meditation Center
• Creative Catering of Virginia - Caterers

Reflect.

• Who are you?
• Where does your family originate?  
• What do you know about your family history?
• How has diversity and inclusion impacted your family?
• Why is it important to your family? Is it? 
• How do you view other cultures and customs?       

Act

1.  Take care of others, Start by Taking Care of Yourself
2. Don't be afraid to say no. Take time for yourself when you need it. If possible, find someone who can take your spot for a day so you can have time to yourself.
3. Be honest with yourself and those around you. Do your best not to overcommit to tasks. It’s possible that your loved one needs expert care. If you can, find outside help from resources that specialize in home care.
4. Don't delay your own care. Keep attending your own doctor’s appointments and managing your health needs. Take a moment for yourself by going on a walk or enjoying a coffee while catching up on the news. You may want to talk with a trained professional as they can help to see the situation in a clear way and avoid feeling guilty for not doing it all.
5. Build a team. Find people in your life who you know you can count on. Reach out to them when you need a break or a helping hand. You may want to find someone who is knowledgeable in things such as benefits like Medicare or Medicaid.
6.  Delegate tasks. Can another family member pick up the prescriptions or grab the groceries this week? Distributing tasks like this can lift some of the responsibility off your shoulders.
7. Ask your community. It’s likely that you already have a built-in community around you who would be willing to help or could share their experiences. Think about your fellow church members, neighbors or school parents. Perhaps one of them could look after your loved one every now and again, so you can do other important things.

Reflect

Notice when you become uncomfortable around certain people, why do you become uncomfortable? Is it because of a past personal experience or an unconscious bias?

Read:

Special Olympics: Why Inclusion is Important

Act                                                                                                                      Inspire someone around you to be the change. Whether it is at work or at home, encourage people to be change agents for diversity and inclusion. Consider volunteering together or donating to an organization working to create a more equitable society.  https://ymcavp.org/donate

Reflect:

What have you learned? Do you see a change within yourself? Were you inspired with what you’ve watched, read, or listened to, acted upon, or engaged in?

You completed the 21-day challenge, and now the hard part starts! Is there a change in your life, has a bad habit been broken? Was this just a checkmark on your to-do list?

What was your favorite part of this challenge? What made you feel uncomfortable? What will you continue to do to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion?