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Putting Inclusivity, Belonging and Allyship in Action: The Power of Mutual Mentoring

By | August 1, 2024

Putting inclusivity, belonging, and allyship into action involves practical steps and ongoing commitment. Here’s how you can approach each of these concepts effectively:

Inclusivity

  1. Education and Awareness: Educate yourself and others about different cultures, identities, and experiences. Attend workshops, read books, and engage in discussions about inclusivity.
  2. Policy and Practice: Implement and enforce policies that promote diversity and prevent discrimination. Ensure that hiring practices are fair and that all employees have equal opportunities for advancement.
  3. Accessible Environments: Create physical and digital spaces that are accessible to everyone. This includes ensuring that workplaces, websites, and events are accommodating to people with disabilities.

Belonging

  1. Create Safe Spaces: Foster an environment where individuals feel safe to express their true selves without fear of judgment or retaliation.
  2. Recognize and Celebrate Diversity: Acknowledge and celebrate diverse cultural holidays, achievements, and traditions. This helps individuals feel valued and seen.
  3. Support Networks: Establish support networks or affinity groups where people can connect with others who share similar experiences and challenges.

Allyship

  1. Active Listening: Listen to and validate the experiences of marginalized individuals. Be open to feedback and willing to learn from others.
  2. Speak Up: Use your platform to address and challenge discriminatory behavior and language. Stand up against injustice and support those who are affected.
  3. Continuous Learning: Understand that being an ally is an ongoing process. Stay informed about issues affecting different communities and seek to improve your understanding and actions continually.

Putting It All Together at SHARE

If you’re one of the many hundreds of people headed to Kansas City next week for SHARE, we invite you to see demos of these strategies in a special Making Our Strong Community Stronger session on Sunday, August 4 at 5-6 pm. 

The Mousai Group’s Dr. Gloria Chance, TechChannel’s Mari Adamson-Bray, Rocket Software’s Brennon Glover and Broadcom’s Keelia Estrada Moeller and Megan Rupert will present how to execute the mutual mentoring experience. Attendees will learn:

  • Learn how mutual mentoring can be a form of allyship
  • Experience and expand emotional intelligence and active listening
  • Explore questions that spark important dialog

This skill will enhance the foundation of what’s important to developing innovative teams and relationships that drive peak performance and creative thinking.

It doesn’t end there! On Monday, August 5, you’ll get to put your skills to the test at the Making Our Strong Community Stronger reception from  7-8:30 pm. We’re crafting a speed mentoring experience that will provide a chance to quickly meet others for a human experience where both individuals gain support and perspective via dual mentoring.

Add these to your schedule here. Or, join the MSCS LinkedIn group here.

Photos from the MSCS reception at SHARE NOLA

The Making Our Strong Community, Stronger collaborative initiative is sponsored by BMC, Broadcom Mainframe Software, IBM, Open Mainframe Project, Rocket Software and TechChannel. The initiative produces webinars, articles and blogs about different diversity, equity and inclusion views, strategies, best practices and experiences.

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