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Global Diversity Practice is an organisation committed to eliminating hatred, injustice and inequality. Our vision is a better world through unlocking the power of inclusion.

The senseless and tragic loss of George Floyd’s life has filled us with sorrow. It’s important that we call this out for what it is; institutional racism, brought about by the compounded effect of years of deeply ingrained and endemic prejudices that have plagued the fabric of the society in which we live.

We stand with the Black community, now and always. Speaking out against injustice, supporting those marginalised by society, and using our voice and platform to tackle hatred are at the very heart of our purpose and mission. We support the Black Lives Matter movement, and are more driven than ever before to continue the work that we do in tackling inequality and promoting the benefits of inclusion.

Many of our clients have contacted us over the past week to seek advice on how to support their employees during this difficult time. We want to share our response openly in the hope that our insights will benefit others.

1. 1. Speak out and stand up. Organisations shouldn’t wait for employees to call them out on their lack of response before speaking out against injustice. Take a look at your values, your purpose, your people, and your customers. Demonstrate strong and visible leadership.
   2. Reflect on your progress. Consider what you’ve done to create a safe space for dialogue. Many of our clients have been hesitant to speak out on this topic due to fears around their own shortcomings. We’ve told them the same thing; at least you’ve asked the question.
   3. Support your employees. What are you doing to encourage employees to speak up about how they feel? Have you considered what support they might need? Is there specific support available to BAME colleagues? If the answer to any of these questions is no, ask your employees what you can do for them.
   4. Promote allyship and advocacy. Speaking up in support of minority issues should not be left to minority colleagues. Think about how you can encourage advocacy and allyship, and promote an understanding around bias and privilege.
   5. A superficial message is worse than saying nothing. It’s more important than ever that brands demonstrate self-awareness and authenticity in how they communicate, especially during times of heightened sensitivity. Speak plainly about what you stand for and the impact it has.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
– Martin Luther King Jr.

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