To put it simply, diversity matters, and the stats speak for themselves and new research makes it crystal clear. Companies with a more diverse workforce perform better financially. In fact, companies in the top 25% for gender and ethnic diversity at the executive level are more likely to have above-average profitability than companies in the bottom 25% (not to mention they’re also 33% more likely to outperform the competition).

But it’s not enough to just listen and learn. We have to take action and understand our responsibility in moving the needle and making inclusion the norm, not the exception. Diversity, inclusion, and the importance of allies at work have always been an important conversation, but now more than ever, we need to talk about it, get uncomfortable, and do the work.

Read on for 29 quotes from powerful Black women and POC voices from the Create & Cultivate stage on the importance of diversity and inclusion so we can create cultures, communities and companies where everyone belongs.

Panel: Inspired Inclusivity: Creating Cultures and Companies Where Everyone Belongs
Where: LA 2020 Conference

Panelists:

Nyma Tang | Beauty Influencer & Inclusivity Advocate

Adrienne Houghton | Singer, Actress, Talk Show Host, Lifestyle Personality, & Entrepreneur

Shahd Batal | Model, YouTube Star, & Influencer

Arnell Armon | YouTuber & Influencer

Sunita V. | Influencer

Moderator: 

Randi Bryant | Sista-Intendent, Diversity and Inclusion Strategist"

On bringing inclusivity into the boardroom…

“Everything I do, I want it to be inclusive. I wanted diversity. It was important to me that people could see themself in the brand.” — Adrienne Houghton

On representation...

“I wasn’t represented, which is why I do what I do now.” — Shahd Batal

“I think brands really need to look internally and ask, ‘Why haven’t we created these shades? Why are they ashy? And do we have people in boardrooms who can speak up?’” — Nyma Tang

On the entertainment industry…

“Us as consumers need to recognize our power. Be the change we want to see.” — Adrienne Houghton

On representation in work culture…

“You’re hiring black influencers but there are no black people on your team. Actually hire us and work with us.” — Arnell Armon

On the future of inclusivity... 

"We need to stop taking baby steps. I want to jump, I want to leap. I want to see everyone represented." — Shahd Batal

Panel: Intersectionality in the workplace: A conversation on diversity and the important role of allies at the office

Where: The San Francisco Conference 2019

Panelists:

Bhavagna Bhattiprolu | Vice President, Blended Strategy Group

Miatta David Johnson | President and Co-Founder, MVD Inc

Massah David | Co-Founder, MVD Inc

Ally Maki | Actress

Sahara Pynes | Partner, Fox Rothschild LLP

Moderator: 

Randi Bryant | Diversity and Inclusion Strategist, Author, Speaker, and Trainer

On the importance of diversity versus inclusion…

“I think it’s important because diversity on its own can only serve optics, inclusion is making sure that people’s voices are being heard, being in the conversation, not just the topic of the conversation.” — Massah David

On creating real change…

“Bring us in the room because it’s great for optics but if you’re not hearing from us nothing is going to change.” — Miatta David Johnson

“If they understand this will affect their profits that’s what is going to create a change.” — Miatta David Johnson

On how to make real change in large companies...

“Make sure the right people are in the room. To have diversity conversations without white male founders is pointless. Unless you bring the decision-makers into the room nothing will change.” — Sahara Pynes

“It's easy to bring people in the door, but you have to get them to stay and feel like they’re a contributor.” — Sahara Pynes

“Leadership has to start from the top. There has to be accountability at the top as well. There have to be regular check-ins.” — Sahara Pynes

On the importance of advocacy…

“Leadership lending a hand is important to the discussion. We are all a group. It’s important to me that I'm reaching out to all women, all ethnicities. I’m not boxing myself into such a narrow group that I'm ultimately not including someone else.” — Bhavagna Bhattiprolu

“I think allies are so, so important. I think the way we have to look at it is we are all a group. I see it as I am a woman of color who has had a certain level of success and it’s important to me that I’m reaching out.” — Bhavagna Bhattiprolu

“Get people trained so they can handle these roles.” — Bhavagna Bhattiprolu

On diverse representation...

“I grew up in a world where I consumed so much content where people didn’t look like me. It’s really exciting to be in a time where people have different perspectives represented.” — Bhavagna Bhattiprolu

On her work impacting the next generation…

“Truly one of my life missions now is to give the next generation of girls growing up what I'm learning now in my 30’s. I look back to when I was young and I didn’t feel worthy of being in any room or any table.” — Ally Maki

“Providing a seat for these girls and changing the narrative inspires everything I do because I sometimes still see myself as that eight-year-old girl who didn’t belong.” — Ally Maki

Panel: Modern Activism: Exploring the Role of Diversity, Inclusion & Politics in the Workplace
Where: The NYC Conference 2019

Panelists:

Nabela Noor | Content Creator, Activist, and Public Speaker

Halima | Model & Activist

Hunter McGrady | Model & Activist

Denise Bidot | Model & Activist

Lindsay Peoples Wagner | Editor-In-Chief, Teen Vogue

Nikki Ogunnaike | GQ Deputy Fashion Director (former Style Director, ELLE)

Moderator:

Heather Records | former VP of Marketing, Create & Cultivate

On including activism in the workplace…

“Pretty much every meeting I go into, most people know I’m the only black editor-in-chief in the US. That’s really hard because there really isn’t leadership above me that has done what I’m trying to do. There isn’t a blueprint. You just gotta push.” — Lindsay Peoples Wagner 

“I feel like if I don’t say something, and I don’t speak up, no one else will.” — Lindsay Peoples Wagner 

“Just stand up for what you want. Go, be bold” — Denise Bidot

“Before, models were just models, and now we’re activists. We should be held accountable for our actions.” — Denise Bidot.

“We have to talk about culture and what women really need. If we’re not doing that, we’re not doing our jobs.” — Lindsay Peoples Wagner 

“Be what you needed when you were younger.” — Lindsay Peoples Wagner 

On diversifying the workplace…

“The onus to effect change often falls on women of color, but women who’ve helped me most are the whole women in the room who’ve said, ‘No, this is not OK.’ It’s not just on the people of color to bang down that door, it’s really on the people who don’t look like us to bring us along with them to help diversify that room and that table.” — Nikki Ogunnaike

“Who you chose to align yourself with is a really big indicator in what you believe in” — Nabela Noor 

In response to people who say “we don’t see color” …

“I need you to see color. I need you to see it, to understand it, to get comfortable with it.” —Nikki Ogunnaike

In response to people in corporate America…

“People need to get comfortable with the uncomfortable and I think corporate America isn’t there yet. There aren’t a lot of people at the top who aren’t white males. My biggest marching order for myself is to help diversify that space.” —Nikki Ogunnaike   

“There’s this saying, ‘Ignore the bullies.’ I don’t believe in that or think it’s helpful for the world to change. I’m going to face them head-on and tell them I love myself.” —Nabela Noor

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