The Blog

Change is rarely simple. Sometimes, it’s catalyzed by discomfort—by pressure, frustration, or the realization that what used to work no longer fits. But if we’re paying attention, change can also offer a powerful opportunity to reflect, realign, and step forward with...

I was leading a session the other day and during a group reflection activity I decided to share with the group the news that I’m getting married this summer. I surprised myself by sharing it; I tend to be a private person, and as a woman in professional spaces—where...

I’ve been grappling for the last month and a half with the nature of what shouldn’t be. This shouldn’t be our country’s leadership. I shouldn’t have to do important work in quiet. Human beings shouldn’t have to feel erased. No one should be born into a world where...

Written by Erin Dunlevy, VP and Consultant, True North EDI “Change is coming – what do we need to imagine as we prepare for it?” (p. 58, Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree brown) For many of us on TikTok, these last few weeks have felt like the final pre-summer weeks...

Written by Cardozie Jones, CEO and Founder, True North EDI The political landscape in the United States is shifting, and with it, so are the boundaries of what is acceptable to discuss, teach, and prioritize in workplaces, schools, and public life. Diversity, Equity,...

Written by Cardozie Jones, CEO and Founder, True North EDI As a consultant and facilitator, my work centers on driving organizational and institutional change, specifically supporting those striving to align their aspirations with their actions to create more just and...

Written by Cathleen Antoine-Abiala Over the past few months, I've spent much of my downtime contemplating. Be it about the state of our country, the election, or the ongoing conflicts and humanitarian crises around the world. I know I'm not alone in feeling...

DEI is often talked about in terms of aspirations and operations. Here’s the thing we want to do, and here’s the way we’re going to do it. A solid infrastructure in the form of a DEI committee, committed leadership and the guidance of a reputable DEI consultant should...

Recently, I took to my personal social media to share some experiences and needs that are emerging as I navigate my journey with vision loss. In 2011, I lost all vision in my right eye after a surgery to repair a retinal detachment. In 2016, I was diagnosed with...

Take a moment and think about how you were raised to behave during moments of conflict. When you had an argument with the people who raised you, what happened? Did those arguments look different or similar to the way conflict unfolded in your friendships as a young...

I recently found myself on two conference calls with two separate clients, both of whom I’ve worked with for years and take deep pride in the work we’ve been able to accomplish together. Both organizations focus on specific geographic areas in which their work...

In our recently launched newsletter The Compass, we talked about how this is a pivotal moment for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Efforts to dismantle DEI initiatives are at an all-time high, and yet, employee commitment to DEI remains high as well. For younger...

This month True North EDI hosted our first webinar of 2024, “Where do we go from here? Mapping the DEI Journey,” and the turnout and response was fantastic! It’s always wonderful to uncover and present a topic that resonates with so many. If you missed it, don’t...

Last week DEI strategist, consultant and best-selling author Lily Zheng reacted (lovingly) to a LinkedIn post referring to a Forbes article by Aparna R. about misleading DEI reporting. Lily Zheng (who uses they/them pronouns) expressed support for the ideas presented,...

A few weeks ago, comedian and social commentator, Jon Stewart had some strong words for the DEI industry. Speaking with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria (clip from CNN here - about 2mins in), Stewart argues that so-called “diversity and equity” efforts are, “a salve to pacify and...

At a recent social event, I had the rare and exciting experience of being invited into an impromptu conversion about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Our host introduced me to a handful of people and we started traversing the classic low-stakes conversation...

  Last year, True North EDI honed in on four core values that represent both our internal and external approaches to community and change. Those values are Illumination, Creativity, Joyful Orientation, and Grace. When our team met at the end of the year to celebrate...