Activate Fellows

Session #1 | Pre-Work

Logistical Information:
● Our session will take place Thursday, April 7th from 1:30-3:00pm EST
● The Zoom Link can be found here or via Zoom ID: 87098879811

Pre-Reading and Reflections:

In our first session, we will:
● ground ourselves in why a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion matters to the organizations that we are
seeking to build.
● explore the historical, organizational, and personal barriers that often arise in building diverse, equitable, and
inclusive organizations.
● consider the traits of leadership that are critical to staying committed, overcoming barriers, and striving for an
inclusive organization.

We likely have a range of knowledge around these concepts. To ensure that we are starting from a shared place of
understanding, you will find some pre-reading and reflection below.

The pre-work should take no more than thirty minutes to complete. We encourage even those committed to these concepts
to review all materials so that you enter the space grounded in common understanding.

Task Directions Estimated Time/

Due Date

Review Review the definitions of diversity, equity, and inclusion. There are many definitions 5 minutes
of each of these words. We offer the definitions below to ensure that we have a
shared understanding of what we mean in our sessions together.

Diversity - anything that sets one individual apart from another, including the full
spectrum of human demographic differences as well as the different ideas,
backgrounds, and opinions people bring. 1

Inclusion - a cultural and environmental feeling of belonging and sense of

uniqueness. It represents the extent to which employees feel valued, respected,
encouraged to fully participate, and able to be their authentic selves.2

Equity- fair treatment for all, while striving to identify and eliminate inequities and
barriers.3

Read In the session, we will consider the business case for diversity, equity, and inclusion. 10 minutes
This short article from Mckinsey & Company, Why Diversity Matters, articulates high
level business benefits.

Reflect Consider the questions below, and write down your responses. During the session, 15 minutes
we will build on these reflections.
1. What diversity do you bring to a group?
2. When have you worked on a diverse team?
a. What felt great about that team?

1
Source: Start Here: A Primer on Diversity and Inclusion (Part 1 of 2) by Seth Boden for Harvard Business Publishing
2
Source: Start Here: A Primer on Diversity and Inclusion (Part 1 of 2) by Seth Boden for Harvard Business Publishing
3
Source: Harvard Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Glossary of Terms
 b. What felt difficult or challenging?
c. Do you feel like you were able to offer up/leverage your strengths?
3. When have you felt included on a team?
a. What team was it?
b. What did it feel like?
c. What conditions were present and how were they created?
d. How did you show up and contribute to that space?
4. Have you ever felt excluded or like you didn't belong on a team?
a. What team was it?
b. What did it feel like?
c. What conditions were present and how were they created?
d. How did you show up in that space?