EquityEd is a regularly occurring op-ed by the Center for Equity, Gender, and Leadership’s founder and executive director, Kellie McElhaney. To receive EquityEd in your inbox sign-up here.
Believing Michelle Yeoh
March 23, 2023
Following Michelle Yeoh’s Oscar speech, Kellie explores challenges faced by women, calling for empathy and open conversations to support women navigating these experiences.
The Hollowness of Our Responses
January 31, 2023
In the wake of the murder of Tyre Nichols, Kellie shares a raw and insightful conversation she has with former Haas student Olaseni Bello.
Women, Life, Freedom
October 14, 2022
The Haas community stands in solidarity with the brave women of Iran as they sacrifice everything by speaking out and taking actions to stand up for their freedom, in response to the murder of Mahsa Amini in the violent hands of the morality police.
Sticks, Stones, Words, and Bones
September 28, 2022
Kellie shares her personal experience with embracing the idea of an inclusive word list and how that drove the team to develop a framework for thinking about the words we choose before we use them.
50 Years of Whiplash for Women
May 5, 2022
Kellie reflects on the pressing issues setting back women’s progress.
Who Cares About Inclusive Language Anyway?
February 9, 2022
Kellie and Genevieve discuss why inclusive language matters and urge readers to ask themselves, “How can I communicate in ways that are precise and inclusive?”
An EGAL Inequitable Mess Up
September 30, 2021
Kellie reflects on an incident in which EGAL mistakenly used harmful language. She shares how this helped EGAL’s own equity fluent leadership journey and steps to move forward.
MBAs, Undergrads, Jay-Z, and a Journey
March 4, 2020
Kellie shares her thoughts on “the game of woke” and why encouraging learning growth is critical in Equity Fluent Leadership.
If I Had a Nickel for Every Time I Read About John
January 26, 2021
Case studies are a key tool in management programs, yet students who aren’t male and/or white rarely read or learn from leaders with their shared identities. In this issue of EquityEd, Genevieve Smith highlights the lack of diverse leaders within case studies and the importance of creating this representation to continue driving DEI initiatives forward.
New Year, Same Tragedy
January 13, 2021
The inequities we have witnessed in 2020 and through the shameful events of January 6th are a stark reminder to stop sitting in the shadows of shame. There can be no more silence or inaction. In this edition of EquityEd, Kellie calls on readers to stand up to inequity at every opportunity and to lead in an Equity Fluent way.
I Can Meet From 11:38-11:57am
October 23, 2020
It’s time to face the facts – Black, Latina, and working women are suffering. The pandemic has penalized women and forced them to combine their work and home life, take on the role of educators at home, and leave their jobs. In this issue of EquityEd, Kellie shares real stories of this disturbing reality and how leaders at all levels can act to reach a solution.
The Business Case for Hiring White People
September 17, 2020
In this edition of EquityEd, Kellie calls out the outdated practice of “pitching” and “presenting” reasons to invest in women and diversity. We know that these equity efforts have value and it’s time to stop having to explain why. Kellie, instead, urges audiences to focus on asking “how we can invest in these efforts faster?” and to fast forward from the “prove it to me” narrative to progress once and for all.
Here's to the Harriet Tubmans of Corporate America
July 15, 2020
In this newsletter, Kellie shares her insights from her discussion with speaker, consultant, and founder of MORE THAN: A Movement, Tara Jaye Frank from last week’s webinar titled Sharing the Load: How Leaders Must Lead in the Age of Reconciliation. Tara addresses the secondary roles Black employees are expected to take on as mitigators in the workplace and how leaders must acknowledge this to make it right. Kelly and Tara both encourage people to express their curiosities and to be open to having these difficult conversations about race and equity without fear.
A New Spin on VUCA: Vulnerable, Uncomfortable, Complicated, and Accountable
July 1, 2020
Kellie focuses on embracing the uncomfortable in this newsletter and urges leaders to grapple with Vulnerable, Uncomfortable, Complicated, and Accountable (VUCA) concepts. She sheds light on gender and COVID related news and highlights how the celebrated “hyper-productivity” norm is potentially harming employees.
COVID-19 is Disproportionately Impacting Communities of Color
June 24, 2020
Kellie McElhaney provides readers with new resources and suggestions on how to continue to be an anti-racist ally. In addition to this, she focuses on the emerging data that demonstrates how COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting communities of color and women.
How Companies, Communities, & Individuals Can Support Black Lives & Anti-Racism
June 17, 2020
Kellie discusses the current progress the country is making with a new landmark cases that support the LBTQ+ community as well as how Berkeley and companies are doing more to address systemic racism and anti-blackness in their organizations.
COVID-19 is Yet Another Knee On the Neck of Black Americans
June 11, 2020
Kellie sheds a light on the issues that Black Americans face today amidst the death of George Floyd, injustices in the country, and COVID-19.
Amplifying Black Voices and the Need for Anti-Racism
June 3, 2020
In this feature of EquityEd, anti-racism and anti-blackness are discussed by brilliant black voices that urge others to take action when they witness injustices.
Silence is a Choice
May 29, 2020
George Floyd was murdered at the hands of the police and as a collective, we must use our platform and privilege to be active allies and educate ourselves to be anti-racist. Kellie shares resources and steps to address complicity and how readers can use their voices to make a change.