I’m often amazed by the current state of our news, which reveals deep divides that reflect the diverse fabric of our incredible country. Recent articles indicate ongoing issues of Division (Discrimi-nation), Equality (Siloed treatment), and Interruption (Exclusiveness) that under-mine the core values of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). SHRM is steering the conversation toward Inclusion and Diversity, while omitting the E for Equity. The Bill of Rights ensures individual liberty and justice, imposing restrictions on government powers. Meanwhile, the Declaration of Independence asserts that “all men are created equal,” endowed with the rights to “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Yet, here we are centuries later, either silent or bewildered by our circumstances. Fortunately, the younger generations, particularly the Mil-lennials and Zoomers, seem to transcend these divides in the melting pot of Los Angeles where they readily connect with people of all backgrounds.
Numerous articles and surveys address DEI, with one study revealing mixed feel-ings among employees regarding efforts to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. According to a Wall Street Journal article, responses included: Too Much (14%), Too Little (15%), About Right (54%), Not Sure (17%). The data is also broken down by race and ethnicity. With most of my life living in Los Angeles, diversity has always been my norm, including my childhood living in Texas. My mother, born in Shanghai, China, fled to America at 15 during war-time turmoil, escaping fear and hiding in convents. My diverse heritage—an American German grandfather and a French grandmother—shaped my appreciation for various cultures. I believe everyone has a story, or as I say, “a book” within them. At work, we celebrate this diversity with potluck lunches where employees share dishes from their cultures. Our diverse workforce ensures that everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to contribute their talents and do their very best work every day with peace of mind.
We proudly serve numerous sectors, including manufacturing, credit unions, religious organizations, tech companies, non-profits, and schools, striving to match our teammates with the diverse clients we serve. However, the winds of change are blowing. Roger King, an employment attorney with the HR Policy Association, notes that while businesses remain com-mitted to diversity, they seek strategies to avoid potential legal challenges—coining it “litigation mitigation.” It’s critical that employees feel their leadership assesses them based solely on their abilities, work ethic, and contributions to the company’s mission. If achieving true equality were easy, our forefathers would have realized their vision long ago. It’s time we respect our differences and celebrate one another.
Danone Simpson is CEO at Montage Insurance; chairwoman at Simpolicy; and CEO at Bene.