RACE AND THE WORKPLACE: CREATING A FAIR & INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT
Being bold about what matters
As the Head of Operations, it is my role to foster a fair work environment. Being ethically responsible for promoting equality and justice at work does not absolve me from having companywide conversations about what is going on in the world we live in. Having direct conversations as a company brings people together by providing a platform for individuals to open up about their experiences and share proactive ideas, all while educating the less informed. Here at 72Point, we talk race, we talk discrimination, we talk about how we are feeling, and we continue to build a stronger culture because of this.
Reality check
Black people are not one dimensional. The term ‘black’ encompasses all Africans spread throughout the African diaspora. Our unique experiences shape us into who we are. I am a first-generation mixed-race Trinidadian-American woman. My family is black, South-Asian, and Native of the island of Trinidad. I have over 10 years of HR & Operations professional experience. During my career, I have often been the only woman of color in upper management and one of very few minorities throughout the department and company. According to the 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 8.0% of black people are in the management occupations. My experience has shaped me to strive to be the example of an individual who does not allow biases, honors differences, and engages in honest conversations.
For the culture
Working for a company that says they are inclusive and working for a company that displays inclusivity are two different things. According to the 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 0.7% of editors are Black, 33.9% of Human Resource workers are Non-White, and 38% of sales related occupations are Non-White. Although these stats are a sad reality, 72Point’s statistics display the inclusive work environment we passionately stand by. Here at 72Point, 8% of editors are Black, 67% of Human Resources are Non-White, and 38% of our sales professionals are Non-White. Overall, one-third of this company identifies as Non-White.
Live, laugh, love your work environment
Due to recent events, multifarious work atmospheres have become key initiatives across the nation. As a Human Resources professional, I believe that this could insight positive changes across many industries. As a mixed-race person, I can't help but think, shouldn't this have been the standard?
My advice
It’s so important to build a company and culture that reflects the diversity of our wider society, and one that represents different voices. If you or your hiring managers aren’t doing this, you must ask yourself what it is that’s stopping you? And what can you do to change things?
Look at your hiring process, who is involved in decision-making, where are you advertising your job roles, what requirements are you demanding? Are you unconsciously excluding candidates by how you position roles, where you post them and how you present your company?
72Point’s statistics are not due to proactive hiring initiatives deriving from a lack of diversity. I believe we are very good at spotting talent and potential. We are a company that prides itself on recruiting people who are skilled and who fit the inclusive community we have built from the beginning and continue to foster as we grow. I look forward to watching more companies and industries do the same.
Danielle Winters,
Head of Operations, 72Point Inc.
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