Calls for increased diversity, equity and inclusion in the startup and tech world have grown louder over the years—deservedly so. But sometimes, it feels like those calls ebb and flow as the news cycle does.
Racism rears its head in a visceral way, and employers scramble. That kind of reactive behavior can also lead to a narrow definition of diversity, rather than one that includes people of color as well as immigrants, women, LGBTQ folks and people who live at the intersections of those identities.
What can organizations do to create change that’s more sustainable? What role does venture capital have to play? And how can startup and tech leaders in Boston, specifically, play their part in making this a more just ecosystem for everyone?
These were just some of the topics we addressed at BostInno's virtual State of Innovation event on startup diversity and inclusion Thursday afternoon. Moderated by me (BostInno editor Rowan Walrath), our panel featured Sankeetha Selvarajah, managing attorney and shareholder at Selvarajah Law P.C.; Modjossorica (Rica) Elysee, CEO and founder of BeautyLynk and co-founder of #Atthetable; Pariss Chandler, CEO and founder of Black Tech Pipeline; and Nicole Sylvester, learning and development senior manager at Rue Gilt Groupe.
Here are some key takeaways from our discussion.
Addressing issues of bias in your organization requires real, iterative work.
It's not enough to make a statement. It's not enough to make a one-off document, or a temporary diversity committee. Organizations that want to implement principles of diversity, equity and inclusion in their workplaces need to invest for the long haul.
That might mean planning to reassess how things are going every couple months. It might mean engaging a diversity professional full-time. If a diversity manual is created, it needs to be a living document, with buy-in from the people who read it as well as from those who write it.
Startups have a special advantage here, because they have an opportunity to build an inclusive company culture from the ground up, rather than trying to reform a years-old company. Seize on that opportunity.
Be intentional about who you align yourself with.
That goes for hiring practices, building out advisory boards, partnering with other individuals and organizations and more.
(FYI, BostInno has compiled a list of resources for underrepresented entrepreneurs in Boston.)
There's reason to hope—but you have to keep doing the work.
We asked our panelists what they've been encouraged by recently. The main thing? Important conversations are happening, and organizations in tech and venture capital are reassessing their practices appropriately. But those things need to transform into meaningful change over time, too.
A million thanks to those of you who joined us for the program. And special thanks to our sponsors, The Grommet, The Tech Connection and First Republic, as well as to our virtual host, Rue Gilt Groupe.
Couldn't join us, or want to engage with the panel more in-depth? Watch the full conversation below.
