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Category: News

Social Media for Social Justice: How Brands Can Promote EDI Online

As we have progressed in society, the concept of technology has begun to branch away from just a luxury that the wealthy can afford and head towards a common, everyday tool. With phones no longer being simply used for their calling feature, what it means to communicate has transformed into something more interactive, seemingly social, yet unnaturally distant all the same. Social media has become a strong force as a platform for creating and sharing content that promotes expression, facilitates communication, shares knowledge and experiences, and can bring people together just as easily as it can tear them apart.

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The Dark Side of Academia: How People With Disabilities Are Excluded And Exploited

Academia is already daunting on its own, but when you factor in ableism, the conversation often comes to a halt. Many individuals of authority are afraid of uncomfortable discussions, the ones that spill over into unventured topics, and, likely, the same ones they are not educated enough upon. The hesitancy to tackle subjects like ableism, Indigenous rights, antisemitism, racism, and most other ‘isms’ you can name, gives permission to the world to continue as it were and suppresses the needs, concerns, and valid criticism of those willing to take a stand.

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Invitation: Guest Blog Posts on Workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Dear Esteemed Bloggers and Influential Figures,

We believe that fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace is not just a corporate responsibility—it’s a collective commitment that transcends organizational boundaries. As we strive for progress, we invite you to lend your voice and expertise to our platform by contributing a guest blog post.

Why Guest Blogging Matters

    1. Amplifying Impact: Your insights can reach a wider audience, sparking meaningful conversations and driving positive change.
    2. Inspiring Action: By sharing your experiences, strategies, and perspectives, you empower others to take actionable steps toward a more inclusive workplace.
    3. Building Bridges: Collaboration across industries and backgrounds enriches our collective understanding of diversity and equity.

Topics We Encourage

    1. Inclusive Leadership: How can leaders champion diversity and create an environment where everyone thrives?
    2. Intersectionality: Exploring the interconnectedness of identities (race, gender, ability, first nations, etc.) and its impact on workplace dynamics.
    3. Microaggressions: Strategies to recognize and address subtle biases.
    4. Mental Health and Well-being: Nurturing an inclusive culture that supports employees’ mental health.
    5. Allyship: Practical ways to be an effective ally in the workplace.

Submission Guidelines

    • Word Count: Aim for 800–1000 words.
    • Original Content: We value fresh perspectives and unique insights.
    • Actionable Insights: Share practical tips, case studies, or personal narratives.
    • Deadline: Submissions are due by 30 April 2024.
    • Guidelines: Editorial guidelines

How to Participate

If you’re interested in contributing, please email us with a brief overview of your proposed topic. Let’s collectively shape a workplace where diversity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s our shared reality.

Thank you for being part of this vital conversation.

Journey to Diversity Workplaces Launches New Speakers Bureau

Barrie, Ontario, 7 February 2024 – Journey to Diversity Workplaces (J2DW), a non-profit organization that promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace, is proud to announce the launch of its new speakers bureau.

The J2DW Speakers Bureau is a service that provides high-quality speakers on a wide range of topics related to diversity, equity, safety, respect, and inclusion. The speakers are experts in their fields and have experience in engaging and inspiring audiences through virtual platforms. The speakers bureau charges on a sliding scale between $200 – $7000 per presentation plus expenses, making it affordable and accessible for various organizations and events.

Some of the topics that the speakers bureau can offer include:

    • Breaking free from systemic inequality at work
    • How to create a more inclusive and welcoming workplace culture
    • How to leverage the benefits of diversity for innovation and productivity
    • How to address and prevent discrimination, harassment, and bias in the workplace
    • How to foster allyship and solidarity among diverse groups of employees
    • How to navigate the challenges and opportunities of working in a global and multicultural environment

The J2DW Speakers Bureau is part of the organization’s mission to respect differences ethically, morally, and legally. J2DW believes that diversity and inclusion are not only the right thing to do, but also the smart thing to do for any organization that wants to thrive in the 21st century.

To learn more about the J2DW Speakers Bureau, or to book a speaker for your next event, please visit https://j2dw.co/TTi or contact us via email.

For more information about J2DW, please visit our website at www.j2dw.ngo. You can also follow us on social media platforms such as Facebook, Threads, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, or Mastodon.

Journey to Diversity Workplaces is a non-profit organization built on improving the business and social environment by championing diversity and the workers within those workplaces. J2DW was formed in 2013 by Founder and CEO Peter V. Tretter with the goal of introducing and maintaining progressive workplace policies. Ideas like higher wages and a four-day workweek are key strategic pillars for J2DW to improve the quality of life and social footprint that businesses have on their employees and communities.

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Contact:

J2DW Media Relations
705-481-1674
Email us!

J2DW SPEAKERS BUREAU

The Hidden Costs of Diversity and Inclusion in Journalism

When you consider newspaper articles, television broadcasts, think pieces on global and domestic issues, or reports on current events, how often have you thought about the person behind its delivery? The foundation of journalism lies in the hands of the voices that are brave enough to step up, unearth the unspoken topics, and bring them into the limelight. Without a diverse set of hands willing to dig into the truth, we are left with a collage of the same stories about the same people, presented in the same way. This creates turbulence in society’s gradual descent into becoming fully aware and cognisant of the different types of issues that affect underrepresented groups worldwide. It hinders one’s ability to perceive the reality that many racialized and marginalized individuals undergo without any media coverage to bring the issues to light, and hopefully garner support to aid them in their struggles.

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Journey to Diversity Workplaces: A New Year, A New Structure

Introducing our Changes

As we welcome the new year, we are excited to announce some changes to our structure that reflect our values and vision as an organization. Journey to Diversity Workplaces is a non-profit organization that aims to foster inclusive and equitable workplaces for people of all backgrounds and identities. We believe that diversity is not only a moral imperative but also a source of strength and innovation.

Introducing the Board of Justice Journeymakers

One of the changes we have made is to rename our Board of Directors to the Board of Justice Journeymakers. This name change reflects our recognition that our board members are not just directors, but also active participants and leaders in the journey towards social justice and diversity. They not only oversee the governance and strategic direction of our organization but also contribute their skills, experiences, and perspectives to our programs and initiatives.

The Speaker

Another change we have made is to rename the Chair of the Board to the Speaker. This title change reflects our commitment to democratic and collaborative decision-making, where the Speaker is not the sole authority but rather a facilitator and representative of the collective voice of the board. The Speaker is responsible for ensuring that the board operates in accordance with our bylaws and policies, as well as communicating with our stakeholders and partners.

Our New Bylaws and Governance Section

In addition to these name changes, we have also updated our bylaws and policies to align with our mission and values. Our new bylaws include a reference to our board’s code of conduct, which outlines the expectations and responsibilities of our board members, as well as our commitment to anti-oppression and equity. Our new bylaws also clarify the roles and duties of the board, the staff, and the members of our organization, as well as the processes for elections, meetings, and amendments.

To increase our transparency and accountability, we have also created a new governance section on our website, where you can find our current bylaws and select policies. We invite you to visit our website and learn more about how we operate and what we stand for.

We’ve made changes to our structure to reinforce our commitment to diversity and to anti-oppression.

~ Peter V. Tretter, President & CEO

Join Us on Our Journey

We are proud of the changes we have made, and we hope that they will help us achieve our vision of a more diverse and inclusive society. We are grateful for the support and feedback of our community, and we look forward to working with you in the new year and beyond.

If you are interested in joining us on our journey, we have various opportunities for you to get involved. Whether you want to become a member, a volunteer, a donor, a partner, or a participant in our programs and events, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us for more information.

Thank you for being part of our journey. We wish you a happy and healthy new year!

This article was written by J2DW CEO Peter V. Tretter.

Meet the Board of Justice Journeymakers: Our New Identity and Vision for 2024

Dear Readers,

Happy New Year and welcome to 2024! We are Journey to Diversity Workplaces, a non-profit organization that advocates for diversity, equity, inclusion, and safety in the workplace. We believe that everyone deserves to work in an environment where they feel valued, respected, and empowered.

As we enter a new year, we are excited to share with you some changes that reflect our vision and mission. Effective 1 January 2024, we have renamed our Board of Directors to the Board of Justice Journeymakers, to emphasize our commitment to social justice and our role as agents of change. We have also updated our titles, including mine, to recognize the importance of democracy and to align with the Canadian political system. You can find the list of our board members, along with our bylaws, policies, and codes, under the new Governance tab on our website.

You can support us by sharing our content on your social media platforms, subscribing to our newsletter, donating to our cause, becoming a member, or partnering with us. We produce a volunteer-run podcast called Diversity on Air and a blog called Voices of our Nation, where we showcase diverse voices and perspectives on various topics related to the workplace.

We are currently accepting applications for the Board. If you have a few hours per month to volunteer, please consider joining our ranks and making a real difference in a small non-profit.

Thank you for your continued interest and support. We look forward to connecting with you and hearing your feedback.

Sincerely,

Leland Harper, Speaker
Board of Justice Jourenymakers
Journey to Diversity Workplaces

This article was written by J2DW Speaker Dr. Leland Harper.

Diversity Behind the Scenes of Film and Television

When I first watched Mindy Kaling’s hit show ‘Never Have I Ever…’ or Marvel’s Disney+ series ‘Ms. Marvel’, I finally understood what it meant to be visible. Similarly, the implications of Dees Rees’s 2011 film, ‘Pariah,’ ring true for the young, Black, queer women in our society and unearth an avenue for more nuanced discussions regarding race, gender, sexuality, and socioeconomic status. Widely praised and critically acclaimed films such as ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, and ‘The Woman King’ by Gina Prince-Bythewood, are all glimpses into the rich and complex stories of people grappling with the weight of their multifaceted identities.

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12 Books for 2024 Challenge

A few friends of mine have a challenge of reading a new book each month, so I tried to find 12 that I could recommend to our readers. These were curated from finds at the Barrie Public Library, the Innisfil ideaLab & Library, and Goodreads.

I have not read all of these, so I cannot guarantee the quality.

Happy reading. These links are affiliate links, and J2DW may get a small commission for each sale.

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Celebrating 10 Years of Journey to Diversity Workplaces

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Journey to Diversity Workplaces (J2DW), a non-profit organization that aims to create a better work environment for everyone. We believe that diversity, equity, inclusion, and safety are not only moral imperatives but also strategic advantages that foster creativity, innovation, and connectedness. We are not just an organization but a movement.

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