Black History Month is a time for all of us to reflect and celebrate the cultural and societal impact Black people have made throughout history. While notable figures like Martin Luther King and Malcolm X created significant strides in the civil rights movement, we tend to overlook Black Canadians who made a difference in their fields.
Read MoreNow more than ever, we’re witnessing a shift in our culture. Companies and organizations across the globe invest more and more into equity, inclusion and diversity initiatives to ensure marginalized communities have a seat at the table.
But equity involves much more than simply increasing the number of Black or marginalized employees at your company or creating a diversity committee. Ask yourself this – once they get through the door, how do you support the well-being and growth of these employees? How are you informed of what is needed to create meaningful change?
Read MoreCompanies and enterprises should ensure that diversity, equity and inclusion are entrenched in every aspect of their operations. In examining all facets from hiring etiquette to the software developed, leaders may need to restructure or remove policies altogether within their business that prevent working towards a goal of true equity.
Read MoreEarlier this week, the Ontario government released a directive for employees to work remotely unless their job requires them to be on site as part of provincial restrictions as COVID-19 cases rise due to the Omicron variant.
Read MoreWe often assume that racism is done by people, to people. Microaggressions, stereotypes, slurs and acts of violence – racism takes shape in multiple different ways. That’s why it might be surprising to some when we say that the very computers, software, and technologies that we use every day can perpetuate the same discrimination and racism.
Read MoreTrust. It’s at the core of all human relationships. Canadian philosopher and cognitive scientist Paul Thagard Ph.D. defines trust as “a feeling of confidence and security that a partner cares.” In the world of marketing, trust is the magnetic force that draws audiences to a brand or company. Recently, there’s an element that’s been adding firepower to that force.
Read MoreAs part of a campaign to meet and highlight diverse voices in Waterloo Region and to welcome discussion about how communities can work together to combat systemic racism, we asked members of marginalized communities the question: "How can our community fight racism together?" Here's what Colleen James has to say.
Read MoreWhen we express our thoughts at work or open the floor for thoughtful discussions, we require the reassurance that our colleagues will listen with an open mind. The feeling of safety to speak your mind is the essence of psychological safety. The emphasis on diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace propelled the importance of psychological safety for racialized employees.
Read MoreHigh vaccinations rates and record low COVID infections signify that things will soon return to normal. This means that many people are looking forward to returning to the office – everyone except marginalized employees.
Read MoreAttaining perfection in western society relies heavily on the constructs of white culture and white supremacy. Now, this might seem out of bounds to some people. But if you approach this topic with an open mind, as we all should with any conversation, you can apply this insight to your organization and daily life.
Read MoreColleen James has been breaking barriers and proving that constantly learning will always pay off. Tune in to hear her inspiring and insightful journey in education and entrepreneurship.
Read MoreAs the inequities surrounding racialized people continue in Ontario, we had an important conversation with three great community members: Colleen James, CEO of Divonify, Krysanne McLean, leader of Black Girls Excellence & Marjorie Knight, the NDP provincial candidate for Cambridge.
Read MoreIn this episode of the VIP Access Podcast, Colleen James is sharing the importance of creating an inclusive environment in the workplace and actionable steps you can take right now to bring diversity to your brand. Some of the talking points Colleen and I go over in this episode include:
Read MoreThe Black Lives Matter protests, spurred by this and multiple other police killings in the US in recent years, have put the issue of racial injustice front and centre in communities and workplaces around the globe.
Read MoreBlack History Month brings the spirit of celebration to the office every February. The top levels of management send impassioned statements about inclusion and diversity and how it is important to recognize the contributions of Black Canadians.
Read MoreIn this episode of Just One Q, Dr. Melissa Horne is joined by Colleen James to discuss performative allyship at an organizational level and how to engage in anti-racism and equity work 365.
Read MoreEveryone, no matter race or religion, welcomes the joyous spirit that arises during the holidays. While this holiday season may look slightly different because of the pandemic, family gatherings, holiday parties, and meetups online are the next best ways to carry on the tradition.
Read MoreWhen we’re young, we yearn to fit in with the rest of the crowd. From the way we talk, to how we dress, we change our features in order to blend in and be accepted by others. As we enter adulthood, fitting in happens for different reasons. There are jobs we must take on, managers to impress, and co-workers to get along with. As such, we adjust our tone and change our vernacular to assimilate into the professional work culture. This is the essence of code-switching.
Read MoreColleen James is a name to look out for this year. The Kitchener woman has been recognized by the Canada International Black Women Event as one of the nation's top 100 Black women to watch in 2020.
Read MoreColleen James is a name to look out for this year. The Kitchener woman has been recognized by the Canada International Black Women Event as one of the nation's top 100 Black women to watch in 2020.
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