Allyship
One definition of “ally” is as follows: someone who is not a member of an underrepresented group but who takes action to support that group. This can be further explained with this great quote by Jenny Okonkwo, founder of : “An ally is someone who is willing to take action in support of another person to remove external barriers that impede that person from contributing their skills and talents in the workplace or community.”
Being an ally and helping others advance is a great way to create inclusivity and diversity in a workplace. Having a more diverse and inclusive organization improves governance and innovation, and overall contributes to a better sense of wellbeing at work. But it is also intersectional. “Any woman could face gender inequality at work, but a Black woman may also encounter discrimination because of her race. Your colleagues come from a mosaic of difference, and being an ally means understanding and respecting that diversity. Each person’s unique perspective contributes to making them a valuable part of the team — and a culture of allyship makes everyone stronger.” These powerful words are by Elissa Sangster of Forbes. In our new White Paper, “How to Be An Ally in the Workplace,” you’ll also find fast facts of why allyship is important, and what can be done to strengthen your organization through a culture of allyship.
