This week on Everyday Conversations on Race, Simma is joined by Barbara Williams Hardy, former head of Global Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging for a large tech firm, and LeRon Barton a well respected journalist and speaker on the experiences of being a Black man in America. The main theme is Culture Fit Hiring and it’s impact on diversity, equity and inclusion.
They offer their perspectives and answer the questions:
- Does hiring for “culture fit” promote racism and discrimination?
- Is it only the responsibility of white people to promote diversity, equity and inclusion?
- What is the role of Black people and other people of color in culture change and inclusion?
Topics covered include:
- Culture Fit hiring- friend or foe of diversity, equity and inclusion
- How we’re all capable or making wrong assumptions
- Breaking up status-quo hiring and with inclusion
- Where to find Black computer engineers
- Asking the right questions to determine whether a statement has racist intent or meaning, and opportunities to educate
- What recruiters and leaders need to do ensure inclusive hiring, making people feel welcome across difference and supporting their success
- LeRon, Barb and Simma share songs that represent thoughts about race, racism and bringing people together
Barb Williams Hardy and LeRon Barton
Barbara Williams Hardy is a visionary, innovator, connector, catalyst for change and global citizen of the world. She is an award-winning thought leader with a global mindset and is known as a “Go To” leader who develops high-level relationship alliances that foster inclusion, belonging, collaboration and commitment to align diversity strategies with business objectives to accelerate employee engagement, experience, innovation and organizational success.
Barb grows leaders. She is the former Global Head of Global Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at NetApp, Leadership speaker and the creator of the Barb List, Principles for Achieving Success and Living an Amazing Life.
Barb’s mission is to unlock the untapped brilliance in all of us.
LeRon L. Barton is a writer from Kansas City, Mo that currently resides in San Francisco, Ca. He has been writing poetry, screenplays, and short stories since he was way young. LeRon’s essays have appeared in Salon, The Good Men Project, Eastbay Express, Those People, AlterNet, SF Bay view, Buzzfeed, Gorilla Convict, and Elephant Journal. His first book, “Straight Dope: A 360 degree look into American drug culture” was released in Feb 2013. LeRon’s new book, “All We Really Need Is Love