The statement we have heard the most this year—and one we’d all be happy never hearing again—is that 2020 has brought “unprecedented times.” The truth is, though, that the global pandemic has shed light on and exacerbated many of our society’s systemic problems, some of which have been with us for centuries. The issue which has arguably gained the most attention and caused the most controversy in the United States over the past six months is racial inequity and racism in our criminal justice system, government, and businesses.

TechPoint published a statement this summer outlining our stance against racism and commitments to be a part of the solution going forward. Since then, we’ve had numerous conversations with our colleagues, member companies and community members, listening for how we can best make an impact. One thing we can do immediately is to lend our organizational platform to experts who are “walking the walk” on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Our first major initiative is “TechPoint Path to Equity in Indiana Tech,” which is a free, interactive, virtual event series focused on finding and implementing solutions to racial inequity in our tech community.

This event series is made possible by presenting sponsor Faegre Drinker and Comcast Business along with underwriting sponsors Ultimate Kronos Group (UKG), RoundTower and Tangoe.

Individual events will be hosted over three consecutive weeks:

  1. Thursday, November 5th,  8:30-9:45 a.m.
  2. Wednesday, November 11th, 8:30-9:45 a.m.
  3. Wednesday, November 18th, 8:30-9:45 a.m.

Led by expert facilitator, Demetria Miles-McDonald, Founder and CEO of Decide Diversity, each session will include a combination of educational content and interactive breakout discussions. The series will cover the following three main themes.

Reserve your free tickets to all three sessions or to individual sessions.

November 5: Anti-racism Starts with Leadership

Featuring:

  • Eric Thomas, Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at Genesys
  • Aman Brar, CEO at Jobvite
  • Miranda Nicholson, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Formstack
  • Marsha McGriff, Associate Vice President for Inclusive Excellence at Ball State University

As the country begins to reckon with its long history of racial inequality, leaders must begin doing the work with their organizations. The call is to be ‘anti-racist’, but what does it actually mean? In this session, we will discuss how tech leaders are creating anti-racist policies, programs, and norms. Learn how leaders like Eric Thomas, Aman Brar, Miranda Nicholson and Marsha McGriff guide their organizations and how you can do the same. Walk away with actionable steps for you individually and for your organization.

November 11: Intersectionality

Featuring:
Demetria-Miles McDonald, Founder and CEO of Decide Diversity

Rarely do we identify with just one aspect of our identity. We are encouraged to bring our entire self to every situation, but how much do our organizational policies, programs, and norms support this sentiment?                                                                    

Intersectionality is best viewed as an ‘upleveling’ or ‘continuation’ of your current diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Your organization probably has a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement; vision; and goals, but are you seeing the results you desire? If your organization’s leadership team already believes in the business case for DEI and has made steps towards creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture, you are ready to talk about intersectionality.

Facilitator Demetria-Miles McDonald of Decide Diversity will help us think about intersectionality in two ways:

  1. Recognizing the disproportionate disadvantage people experience when they identify with multiple marginalized identities; and
  2. Exploring how to create policies, programs, and initiatives with an intersectional focus.   

November 18: From Metrics to Impact

Featuring:
James Loduca, Senior Director of Global Inclusion and Diversity at Twitter

We can all agree that we need to commit to being anti-racist in our personal and professional lives. But what does that commitment look like, and what outcomes should we strive for? In this session, participants will hear from James Loduca, Senior Director of Global Inclusion and Diversity at Twitter on what it looks like to truly embark on this journey, and what impact can come from it. We will then work through how to make a personal DE&I action plan for the next five minutes,five days, five weeks, and five months.

Participants can expect to leave this series with inspiration, resources to turn to going forward and tangible tools to continue on their anti-racist journey as an individual and an organization. Many leaders and individuals in Indiana’s tech community have stepped forward to say they are prepared to resolve the racial inequities that have existed within our community for so long. As the sector’s growth accelerator, we know we cannot fully reach our potential unless equal opportunity is available to everyone. Period. Full stop.

Hoosiers’ ability to come together in difficult times is legendary. We’re seeing this happen now across all sectors as business, government and nonprofit organizations are  banding together and pledging to correct these wrongs. This series is another opportunity for you to be a founding member of the effort to create a more equitable, more inclusive, and more innovative future for us all.

Learn more about the three-part event series on Eventbrite. Please share this event on your own social media channels and encourage your network to take part in this and other efforts, and stay tuned: there’s more to come.