I am beyond excited to share the success of our event in collaboration with Femme Lead Podcast, Amazon Web Services (AWS) in the Nordics, ProWoc - Professional Women of Colour Denmark, and SPACES. The turnout was phenomenal, and I'm proud to say that we had a FULL HOUSE! 🚀
This event was the first DEI event in collaboration with an external organization for Amazon Web Services in the Nordics, and Femme Lead was their selected partner!
The event featured two inspiring speakers, Nathalie Håkenstad and Phaedria Marie St. Hilaire, who delved into crucial topics such as the definition of diversity, intersectionality, bias, and implementing a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy within organizations. Their insights were nothing short of enlightening and empowering! ⚡
Let's take a moment to recap some of the key points that resonated with us during this eye-opening event:
💡 Having buy-in from organizational leadership is essential to effectively promote and drive the DEI strategy forward.
💡 Utilizing numbers and data can help establish the mandate for further DEI initiatives across organizations.
💡 The return on investment (ROI) in hiring someone averages at two years. However, without a sense of belonging, employees may feel disconnected and eventually leave.
💡 Embrace different experiences and maintain a genuine curiosity to understand how others navigate their journey within the organization.
💡 Recognize that not everyone wants to be educated on diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging. Choose your battles wisely and focus on engaging those who are open and receptive.
💡 Be an active ally and speak up when you witness situations that don't seem right. Your voice can make a difference.
💡 Seek out and join supportive groups, both within and outside of your organization. Remember, you don't have to fight for underrepresented groups alone. Together, we can achieve more.
💡 Consider implementing activities like a privilege walk or, even better, a privilege for sale game to foster understanding and empathy.
💡 Remember that the distinction between representation and tokenism lies in the depth of effort. Merely symbolic gestures won't stand the test of time within an organization and will eventually be called out by the team.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all 70 guests who joined us for this incredible event. Your presence and engagement contributed to its tremendous success, and we are truly grateful for your support. 🙏
These moments of empowerment and inspiration remind us of the importance of fostering diversity, inclusion, and belonging within our communities and organizations. Together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable future.
Once again, a big shout-out to our collaborators: Femme Lead Podcast, Amazon Web Services, ProWoc - Professional Women of Colour Denmark, and SPACES. Your partnership and commitment to driving positive change are truly commendable.
Stay tuned for more updates and exciting events as we continue on this journey of empowerment and advocacy via our Femme Lead website. Together, let's celebrate our achievements and work towards a future where diversity thrives and everyone feels a sense of belonging.
With gratitude,
Alexandra
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