How communicators can facilitate DE&I breakthroughs in 2021

Solidarity, social media posts and public statements are all fine ways to acknowledge the evils of systemic racism.

Concrete action to rectify wrongs is better.

After the great global reckoning of racial injustice 2020, what have we learned? What progress do we have to show for all the corporate commitments and public declarations to “do better?” And how should companies, in particular, make amends to people of color and be more inclusive moving forward?

2021 is poised to be a historic year filled with meaningful strides toward creating a more equitable society. Since the death of George Floyd, almost nine months ago, the largest U.S. companies have pledged $66 billion to combat racial inequity. Another 22% have made external commitments to promote racial equity. It sure seems like we’ve reached a tipping point, but humans have proved incredibly adept at preserving power and the status quo—at all costs—while thwarting those in the minority.

The ills of racism are obviously intractable and complex. However, many of these racial inequity problems are quite solvable. It’s just going to take time, strategy and resilience—and a sustained effort to hold the feet of the powerful to the fire.