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.
Tag: 2024
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
-
- Amplifying Impact: Your insights can reach a wider audience, sparking meaningful conversations and driving positive change.
- Inspiring Action: By sharing your experiences, strategies, and perspectives, you empower others to take actionable steps toward a more inclusive workplace.
- Building Bridges: Collaboration across industries and backgrounds enriches our collective understanding of diversity and equity.
Topics We Encourage
-
- Inclusive Leadership: How can leaders champion diversity and create an environment where everyone thrives?
- Intersectionality: Exploring the interconnectedness of identities (race, gender, ability, first nations, etc.) and its impact on workplace dynamics.
- Microaggressions: Strategies to recognize and address subtle biases.
- Mental Health and Well-being: Nurturing an inclusive culture that supports employees’ mental health.
- 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.
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.
Continue reading “The Hidden Costs of Diversity and Inclusion in Journalism”
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.
Volunteer for Journey to Diversity Workplaces!
Are you passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion, and safety in the workplace? Do you want to join a movement that respects differences ethically, morally, and legally? If yes, then we have an opportunity for you!
Journey to Diversity Workplaces is a non-profit organization that aims to reform the workplace and introduce progressive policies that promote harmony and growth. We are looking for volunteers who can help us with our mission and vision.
We are currently recruiting for the following positions: Continue reading “Volunteer for Journey to Diversity Workplaces!”
Celebrating 10 Years
J2DW Celebrates 10 Years of Promoting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Safety in the Workplace
Celebrating 10 Years of J2DW’s Vision and Mission for a Better Workplace
For Immediate Release
Barrie, Ontario, December 3, 2023 – Journey to Diversity Workplaces (J2DW), a non-profit organization that advocates for diversity, equity, inclusion, and safety in the workplace, is celebrating our 10th anniversary this month. Founded in December 2013 by a group of passionate individuals who wanted to reform the workplace and introduce progressive policies that promote harmony and growth, J2DW has grown into a network of members, partners, and supporters who share our vision and mission.
J2DW believes that the workplace should be a place where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. It believes that diversity, equity, inclusion, and safety are not only moral imperatives but also strategic advantages that foster creativity, innovation, and connectedness. J2DW is not just an organization but a movement that aims to transform the workplace culture and environment for the better.
Over the past decade, J2DW has been involved in various initiatives and activities that support our goals and objectives. Some of these include:
-
- Producing a volunteer-run podcast called Diversity on Air, which interviews experts, leaders, and activists who share their insights and experiences on diversity, equity, inclusion, and safety.
- Publishing a blog called Voices of our Nation, featuring articles contributed by volunteers and summer students who write about their opinions, stories, and research on workplace issues.
- Hosted amazing speakers such as Paralympic athlete Zak Madell and former PEI opposition leader Hon. Peter Bevan-Baker.
- Partnering with various organizations and platforms such as OnGood, Charity Village, and VolunteerMatch to increase our reach and impact.
- Being featured in various media outlets such as the Barrie Advance, Barrie Today, and InDurham to raise awareness and recognition of our work and community.
J2DW is proud of our achievements and milestones over the past 10 years. It is also grateful for the support and collaboration of our members, partners, donors, volunteers, staff, board members, and advisors who have contributed to our success and growth. J2DW invites everyone to join it on our journey to diversity in the workplace. Whether one is an employer, an employee, or a supporter, one can make a difference by becoming a member, a partner, or a donor. One can also listen to our podcast episodes and read our blog posts to learn more about our work and community.
J2DW’s motto is “Respecting differences ethically, morally, and legally!” We hope to continue living up to this motto for many more years to come.
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.
— 30 — Contact:
J2DW Media Relations
705-481-1674
Email us!