YLAI Breakout Rooms (2023.11.07) by Liz Cantu

Afreekansoul

2023-11-17 16:31:50 UTC

afreekansoul, in its very essence represents cultural diversity, we use ancestral African techniques in making our hairstyles, and we like creativity and respect cultural and gender diversity.

Core principle: "All voices matter"

2023-11-17 16:36:21 UTC

We work with a core principle, a foundation for our activities: "all voices matter". It means that everyone has a seat in the table, to share their perspectives.

The above, always with a sense of honesty, respect and openness.

2023-11-17 16:36:31 UTC

My co-founders have different backgrounds and they are all different ages. From a specialized technology expert, through a Colombian founder age +40. I value experience, skills and vision and empower them to acknowledge our differences and embrace them.

#science4all

2023-11-17 16:36:50 UTC

We have designed a STEAM science experience for kids, but one that is inclusive of everyone, in order to bring equity and inclusion by celebrating diversity among our students, because we have big challenges to face as a species, so we have to learn together.

As a mainly remote business, there are a lot of opportunities people that live in different places and other aspects such as disabilities. One of the biggest challenges we've faced was to accomodate people with conditions such as ADHD when we had to. That was a challenge but we have worked through it as a team.

2023-11-17 16:36:56 UTC

Very integrated

2023-11-17 16:37:02 UTC

Working with vulnerable women makes all these issues very present, especially diversity and equity.

Diversity and inclusivity

2023-11-17 16:37:12 UTC

At NODINSA we are a diverse and inclusive work team, and that has been very valuable for us to have broader perspectives and solutions to the challenges of our business.

Mi social project is oriented to families in rural communities in general (diversity) and everyone is treated the same and everyone has the same learning opportunities (equity). Anyone who wants to train is welcome (inclusion) and we value the individual contribution from each person's experience, making them feel important.

2023-11-17 16:37:22 UTC

My company is designed to create work opportunities remotely for people in all cities of our country. Our only requirement is having the technical skills for the job, and access to internet :)

2023-11-17 16:37:32 UTC

Ubuntu

2023-11-17 16:37:32 UTC

Similar to afreekansoul, we practice "Ubuntu" - the belief that our individual humanity is interconnected to the humanity of others. We are part of a larger and more significant relational, communal, societal, environmental and spiritual world.

Rebel Women Lit

2023-11-17 16:37:33 UTC

This is part of the mission of Rebel Women Lit is a literary community that focuses on sharing Caribbean and Feminist stories that are often not available in mainstream art spaces. Additionally, our Board of Directors is deliberately mixed with persons of different ages.

#EstarVivo One of my customers are groups of women from vulnerable populations who has a lack access to education, employment, and healthcare. These people are often discriminated against due to their social status and race.

2023-11-17 16:37:36 UTC

I practice inclusion in my company by providing gluten-free and safe products for people with celiac disease.

2023-11-17 16:37:38 UTC

I practice inclusion in my company by providing gluten-free and safe products for people with celiac disease.

Gabriela Tzitzimit - Cielito Crepes

2023-11-17 16:37:53 UTC

We embrace different sexual orientation and we support people or are in marginalized situations, do not have studies so they are made to have a decent job because doors are closed in our country, and Cielito Crepes is that, give the first job opportunity, give them the opportunity to have a work experience and then apply for another big opportunity.

2023-11-17 16:38:01 UTC

We’re a multigenerational company and we’ve found the way to keep our eldest 90+ feeling involved and motivated

Gender equality

2023-11-17 16:38:06 UTC

Sufruta focuses in dignifying womens life by bringing job opportunnities in rural areas where there are slim to non job offers for women affected by violence and war

Agencia PuroMole

2023-11-17 16:38:13 UTC

In my agency we have an inclusion program that has been in place since its inception, we offer work to people from the LGBTIQ+ community who in some way have been violated in some other job, additionally we have a diversity program for neurodivergent people who have a diagnosis of Asperger's that allows them to have a stable job and finally we have a program of psychological therapy every fifteen days for all staff as an additional benefit because mental health is important for them.

2023-11-17 16:38:27 UTC

Understanding what people need to perform the same task.

2023-11-17 16:39:04 UTC

getting people express they have a need or express the situation.

I do most of the work in my business, but whenever I need outside resources I often include a diverse group of people

2023-11-17 16:39:24 UTC

Letts Shine

2023-11-17 16:39:44 UTC

At Letts Shine we offer trainings for all walks of life, cultures and backgrounds. We also have a private online community for all students to share with each other during and after the sessions.

Training

2023-11-17 16:40:02 UTC

We improve in the organization traines on diferent topic, includes soft skills and diversity, equity and inclusion. This is part of us

I have included a diversity of ages, gender, disability at an occasional part time basis

2023-11-17 16:40:45 UTC

Sitepact JA

2023-11-17 16:40:46 UTC

We work with small business owners from varying industries and backgrounds who serve a variety of customers all over the world. I think our impact is more external.

GABRIELLA MENDEZ - ETHNOS

2023-11-17 16:40:58 UTC

We integrate diversity, equity and inclusion because we provide the opportinities for any eco/organic farmer or producer (small, medium or big) from any part of the country so they can have a fair selling space

Terranativo

2023-11-17 16:40:58 UTC

In terranativo we are a social company, we give a % of sales to women and child in the agriculture related jobs so we can help them to lear a new hability or find a better job to increase the quality of life.

Learning every day to connec more with DEIB

2023-11-17 16:40:58 UTC

As a protector of the rights of people with special educational conditions, I am always committed to the inclusion and adaptation of all members of a group to get along in the best way and to be able to carry out our activities without offenses, without corrupting the integrity of others.

2023-11-17 16:41:07 UTC

We look at it when hiring, but we are a small team, so it's currently easy. We need to turn it into our culture.

Providing opportunities to everyone regardless of their preferences or personal characteristics

2023-11-17 16:41:13 UTC

Fluxo is in the Amazon region of Brazil, so having a technology and marketing company in this region of the country is a big challenge. We are trying to bring more diversity and equality to the technology and marketing industry in Brazil, which is very concentrated in the southern and southeastern regions of the country. By bringing people from the Amazon region to the center of the market discussion, creating opportunities, and educating the market.

2023-11-17 16:41:16 UTC

2023-11-17 16:41:34 UTC

We definitely provide equal opportunities for everybody, inclusion it’s clue for a more sustainable job environment and human development

Prioritize DEIB in Hiring Process

2023-11-17 16:41:36 UTC

During our recent selection process for our internship and professional growth program, we have prioritize talent from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented groups as other essential classification criteria.

Training and willingness of workers based on their differences

2023-11-17 16:41:41 UTC

Agribusiness

2023-11-17 16:41:45 UTC

In our business, we have to consider the backgrounds, life experiences, and academic levels of our customers and suppliers who range from people who did not finish Elementary School to people who have a Doctorate. Our business requires to be flexible, considerate, and empathic with everyone we interact with.

Part of what we do is precisely teach english in remote touristic communities, because we believe another language can give them bigger opportunities, and we go by the motto that the place where you are born doesn't need to limit your opportunities. We believe we're empowering them to build more equal communities

2023-11-17 16:41:55 UTC

Diversity and Inclusion

2023-11-17 16:42:12 UTC

My social venture, #giveherprops is aimed at reducing inequality and gender equality by helping low income women as well as members of the LGBTQ community to own assets such as businesses and home

2023-11-17 16:42:21 UTC

One of our challenges is that we are remote and sometimes this make our communication limited.

We believe inclusion; we work with persons from all persons from around the country. We do not believe in discrimination. We are against ageism and support the elderly.

2023-11-17 16:42:44 UTC

Innovative design for inclusion and more

2023-11-17 16:42:44 UTC

Making vegan products that are absolutely delicious so that healthy foods taste good and it is possible for gluten intolerant and/or plant-based individuals have snacks available to them.

Secondly training women farmers as a lot of the training is tailored to men

Agencia PuroMole

2023-11-17 16:43:12 UTC

Other firms or companies may think that we are too liberal in the way we run our business because of our openness. This has generated certain acts of hatred such as canceling contracts just because they find out that I am a woman, or a member of my team belongs to the diverse community. We definitely need to create a more open work culture in Mexico.

Empowered communities

2023-11-17 16:43:35 UTC

We work in each destination with local communities, helping them offer a competitive tourism product for national and international markets.

Markaribe Travel

Equality for All

2023-11-17 16:43:50 UTC

Sometimes persons feel like equality is not present we try to do that by promoting inclusion and communicating clearly.

Integrating DEIB

2023-11-17 16:44:14 UTC

Yes i've integrated deib within my business gaining a wealth of knowledge and varying perspectives from others from diverse backgrounds. This enables us to tap into new mindsets and ideas.

Concerns

2023-11-17 16:44:18 UTC

Perhaps more efforts can be placed in putting these sentiments in policy.

Diversity, Equity and inclusion

2023-11-17 16:44:30 UTC

Farming in Jamaica is predominantly a make industry. In my business, I intentionally employ males and females and pay them equally and where necessary, equitably. I made sure to i

Before I start working for an analysis I meet with stakeholders from different institutions, backrounds, and perspectives. The purpose of this is to better understand if the subject I am about analyze will be able to address some or all of the concerns from the stakeholders I met.

2023-11-17 16:44:41 UTC

Manage expectations of equity

2023-11-17 16:44:47 UTC

Mumma

2023-11-17 16:45:12 UTC

Our aim in Mumma is to make healthy food more accesible trough ice creams, sutible to diabetics, vegans, and celiacs people, trough ingredientes that we used: 65% natural fruit, almond milk and yacón. Also, we hire single mothers from disadvantaged areas in Colombia.

learning is never enough.

2023-11-17 16:45:33 UTC

Learning daily about new issues of diversity and equity, it is necessary to learn in order to feel inclusion, especially on the issue of disabilities.

Quimeramente

2023-11-17 16:45:43 UTC

In our company we support organizations that work with vulnerable groups, because we believe that technology is the key to solve many social problems and also give opportunity to those who need it most.

Diversity is tricky. In my experience, sometimes people in companies or business just hire people because they "have to" hire someone of some ethnicity or marginalized historically group. That is not the idea of integrated diversity and inclusion.

2023-11-17 16:46:13 UTC

Agencia PuroMole

2023-11-17 16:46:25 UTC

What worries me the most is that my staff will receive any threats or anything hate related because of my company's ideals and mine as a person since I am an activist and additionally we have ideas that may not go with the current heteronormativity.

Hechoxrefugiados

2023-11-17 16:46:27 UTC

HxR is a social project Where we provide refugees in Panama with hands-on skills to become self-sufficient and facilitate their integration into their new host country. We create successful entrepreneurs, integrate them also to his comunities and alleviating the country's burden and generating income through the products we make and sell.

Ongoing

2023-11-17 16:46:33 UTC

The work of decolonization is an ongoing practice and it's HARD! Because not everyone has the same training, knowledge, language or experience in this area, it's a constant challenge of unlearning, relearning, and un-conditioning colonial ways of doing/knowing being.

Modern Dance Movement

2023-11-17 16:46:38 UTC

I work with dancers from ages 3 to adults who come from different social backgrounds throughout Belize. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are very important aspects in my business.

More inclusive

2023-11-17 16:46:44 UTC

I would love to be able to include persons from the deaf community or other disabilities and have my business and social ventures be able to seamlessly integrate them, for example having sign language courses for staff, wheelchair accessible offices etc

Gender equality

2023-11-17 16:46:46 UTC

Espwa Vivan exist to help women have access to education, marketable jobs skills and entrepreneurial training.

Get to know your team / clients

2023-11-17 16:46:47 UTC

We try to get to know everybody and understand their challenges and difficulties at the moment of assigning to a job or providing the right tools. Also with clients we have to learn and understand every case to design projects accordingly to their needs.

Our commitment is to the entire world

2023-11-17 16:46:48 UTC

By bringing knowledge to communities, we can help them improve their quality of life through tourism.

Markaribe Travel

Education

2023-11-17 16:46:52 UTC

Providing education about DEIB to everybody.

There is still much to be done

2023-11-17 16:47:06 UTC

In the case of technology, it is challenging to be able to deliver knowledge when they do not have access to internet or devices.

De-Mentes Peru - fighting mental health stigma

2023-11-17 16:47:26 UTC

We work on upholding the rights of people with lived mental health experiences, and on promoting their social inclusion. We also develop intersectional mental health initiatives directed at women, LGBT communities, among others.

It's a highly technical industry which makes it challenging by nature to engage society, that has a high level of povery and low levels of education. At the same time this has forced us to seek new methods to address those challenges by using technology, generating easy to understand information, and get the buy in from the population that power projects will bring more benefits than costs to society.

2023-11-17 16:48:05 UTC

Inclusive/education

2023-11-17 16:48:14 UTC

Lack of cultural sensitivity or awareness

Gender equality

2023-11-17 16:48:19 UTC

I work in favor of gender equality in order to close the gender gap in my country. So Inclusion, Diversity and equity are at the core of my business

Estefania Yanez- EC-- Aurea

2023-11-17 16:49:14 UTC

In our online e-design studio, we implement inclusive design guidelines, and offer equitable opportunities through transparent project allocation. Additionally, we conduct regular training sessions, and foster community engagement. We go beyond by providing opportunities for partnering with artisans with a diverse range of creative voices and contributing to a more inclusive design community.

In the middle of power structures

2023-11-17 16:49:45 UTC

As small companies we sometimes have challenges implementing DEIB when having as clients or partners biggest companies that don't approve or appreciate some of those policies.

Akuai Energy, a BIC Company

2023-11-17 16:49:52 UTC

At Akuai, we created our company as a BIC Venture in Colombia, which means that we are collective benefit and interest company. We have 5 commitments to fulfill every year focused on the environment, our employees, our social community and our business model. We have done partnerships with companies lead by afrocolombian woman and LGTB+. We also have a partnership with a Foundation that support young afrocolombian people here in my country. These are first steps that we decided to implement at Akuai to support DEIB.

Retain inclusive talent

2023-11-17 16:49:52 UTC

Create a work environment where everybody can develop their own personal and profesional growth to improve fairness and equality.

Replacing otherness with understanding

2023-11-17 16:49:54 UTC

At OtherAI we aim to create truly inclusive societies, ensuring that all forms of thinking are empowered to answer the profound questions that challenge humanity. Leveraging cutting-edge technology in service of othered linguistic communities worldwide that have faced historically the imposition of the speaking majority

Pivot to DEIB Practices

2023-11-17 16:50:03 UTC

As leaders and entrepreneurs, we have to play a pivotal role in fostering diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible environments within our business and community. By example, we can prioritize diversity in hiring by actively seeking talent from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented groups.

Im a cofounder of a LGBTIQ+ Youth NGO called Joven PRIDE

2023-11-17 16:50:33 UTC

My experience working directly with diversity and inclusion is so interesting because now i can see that is not only to have this knowledge and talk about pride and something like that, we like to use the concept of Intersectional approach , and human center solutions, because we have in mind that is not only things about our gender, sexual orientation or ethnicity, we talk too about, economic issues, neurodiversity, disability, etc. And its important to amplify this vision

Kaylo Digital - We do this through our work with the mission-driven advocacy organizations we work with. We specialize in web accessibility and work with organizations to help them make their websites accessible so those with disabilities can better access them.

2023-11-17 16:51:22 UTC

DEIB Inclusion

2023-11-17 16:51:27 UTC

After being part of the minority growing up in a poor community, I was always othered and classed as one to fail or not make it. After working in the hotel and tourism industry for the past 15+ years, I have learned not to judge other people and to accept everyone for who they are and not their preferences. In my organization, we do not hire based on qualifications. We hire for the people, skills, and values they embody. One of the core values of our group of companies is diversity. The vision of one of our companies, The Entity Ja, is to be the Caribbean's leading events and entertainment company, creating a space for discovering local talents and perfectly aligning them with customers across the globe!

Opportunities and Challenges from this work

2023-11-17 16:53:16 UTC

I hope to be able to have a system that will help my team and my contractors with mental health and other values that will help them with life and make them better.

From my business Universo UNO, we promote equity, diversity and inclusion, we design and create clothing and products of universal design, electronically heated.

2023-11-17 16:55:24 UTC

From my business Universo UNO, we promote equity, diversity and inclusion, we design and create clothing and products of universal design, electronically heated.
This implies equity of opportunities, our designs are made with facilities for the widest diversity of people, generating autonomy and empowerment, specifically for those who currently experience situations of disability due to barriers in clothing design. Leaving aside segregation, design is for all people, our products are not only for people with disabilities. From each of our roles we can contribute to creating a more equitable world, a world for everyone.

A New Perspective

2023-11-17 17:08:13 UTC

To be honest i've never truly considered DEIB nor have i worked for an organization that prioritized this, which isn't unusual in my country and the industry. In going through the module though I saw how this lack of consideration created environments that were uncomfortable at best and toxic at worst in the places i had worked for before going off on my own.

My goal is to create a different experience for my staff and so i can see the importance of building this into our core as a small growing consultancy.

Where Do We Begin?

2023-11-17 17:10:24 UTC

I take it that there is alot that can be done, but as a small growing consultancy where do we begin?

What are the top 3 practical things that we can do to begin building DEIB considerations into our culture?

Inclusion in Grupo Sentidos

2023-12-04 18:31:15 UTC

The crux of our enterprise rests on promoting inclusion. We aspire to act as a partner in the development of Opportunity Youth in Colombia and the Americas. Diversity is ingrained as a fundamental aspect of our mission to better the lives and opportunities of a varied demographic.

The hardest Challenge for Grupo Sentidos

2023-12-04 18:55:25 UTC

The most arduous task has undoubtedly been the financial aspect. Although we've made strenuous efforts to create a positive impact on the communities we serve, obtaining the crucial financial aid continues to be a persistent challenge.

In Grupo Sentidos we are diverse by nature and Nature is diverse

2023-12-04 18:57:33 UTC

However Diversity as a goal is not always the answer, and we have to take that into account, no absolute is good and in practice there are complex relations and realities that need to be taken into account.