Action Alert | Can We Discuss Diversity Washing Real Quick
Forbes released the Forbes CIO Next List 2022, recognizing 50 top tech leaders who are redefining the CIO role and driving game-changing innovation.
There aren’t enough women on this list and the tally shows that very clearly. What’s most disappointing to us is that the image used for the announcement is “very diverse”.
A clear design choice was made to use the face of the CIOs from HP, United Airlines, and Pfizer. We see this type of diversity washing a lot from conferences, events, and lists. The top few speakers are women or women of color and then everyone else is a man. Or the banner or stock image is a group of very diverse people but when you zero in on who gets to speak or lead, no one that looks like the image is in a position of power. And it’s great that companies are thinking more critically about the optics of diversity, we’d just like them to put that energy into actually creating it.
It Takes A Village
What will it take to create the sweeping changes that all of us are demanding? If companies want to be more inclusive, the tactics used in the past will not work.
Each of us plays an important part in making it better. If it seems like women are not replying to the calls for papers or are not seeing the opportunity to speak, those of us who do see it should pass it along to women we know and encourage them to keep passing it along until the right woman gets that information.
Why? Because we need her voice.
It takes a village. We need to tag each other and hype each other up when we see opportunities. As we demand more we need to also get louder about women, women of color, and nonbinary folks who are more qualified than the selected speakers.
By now, being oblivious to a lack of diversity is not a good excuse because there are so many people speaking out. A cultural shift is needed. Download and use our 5 Tips For Conference Organizers today!
Psst… Sharing is caring! If you enjoy our weekly love letter to gender equality, pass it on to a friend, colleague, organization, or event planner you know!
📣🚨 Where are the women? The Forbes CIO Next List 2022 could use more women and women of color… and a banner featuring the most “diverse” people is not the best way to go about it. #GenderAvenger