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Future of DEI Virtual Summit: Rebuilding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

With DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) under constant criticism, one groundbreaking virtual event is attempting to reclaim the spotlight. The Future of DEI Virtual Summit, curated by identity and belonging coach Erin Corine Johnson, isn't your typical professional conference. Instead, it offers raw, global conversations, diverse perspectives, and a thriving community of change-makers striving for collective emancipation.

For Johnson, an artist, community organizer, and thought leader, the summit didn't originate as a reaction to the current sociopolitical climate. Rather, it was born out of frustration over the performative practices plaguing the DEI world, which Johnson believes fail to genuinely protect the marginalized. "While the turmoil we're experiencing today has been exacerbated by the current administration, it's not the primary cause," she says. "The real issue lies in years of performative policies without a sustainable, accountable practice to back them up." The summit, she explains, is aimed at those questioning, "What can I do now?"

Scheduled for five action-packed days, the summit includes conversations, panels, fireside chats, and more, all addressing the fundamental questions: What is the future of DEI, and how can we ignite transformation outside unstable institutions? The summit gathers a myriad of speakers, from digital educators to antiracist scholars, each who've felt the earthquakes of DEI backlash and chosen new paths to persevere.

Blair Imani, creator of the well-liked Smarter in Seconds series, will speak on adventurous approaches to inclusive education. "Despite harsh, regressive policies intent on dismantling equity," Imani says, "we needn't succumb. We can innovate."

On the other side of the pond, anti-racism educator and author Desirée Bela-Lobedde will spotlight the often-unseen racism in Spain and dismantle the myth that DEI is merely an American concern. "In Spain," she explains, "many believe antiracist work is only necessary elsewhere. My goal is to inspire participants to scrutinize their own surroundings, challenge their presumptions, and feel empowered to contribute actively to antiracist transformation, regardless of location." Bela-Lobedde's Laboratorio de Deconstrucción, a virtual learning space, symbolizes a potential blueprint for the evolving DEI landscape: roots planted in lived experience, sustained by a community.

For Louis and Arlene Byrd, their life's work and their experiences as parents of Black children profoundly intertwine. As entrepreneurs, parents, and summit panelists, they'll discuss how to guide children through discussions about racism. Their session, "How to Talk to Kids About Racism," tackles the challenging but essential task of educating children about systems of inequality while preserving their purity and optimism.

"This topic is deeply personal to us as a husband-and-wife team," they say, "raising two amazing sons, Black boys, in this world. We have already initiated discussions about race, privilege, systems, and their effects on our lives. We've been candid and open about our parenting and our dedication to raising emotionally intelligent, open-minded individuals." When asked about the future of DEI, Louis shares, "The future of DEI is about ownership. Ownership of businesses, infrastructure, neighborhoods, and communities."

What sets the Future of DEI Summit apart is its commitment to bringing everyday people to the table. Johnson shares, "Over the past year and a half, I've noticed the gap between those practicing DEI, particularly at the organizational level, and those DEI was meant to help becoming increasingly wider." Not only are people struggling to comprehend what DEI truly entails in their workplaces, but everyday individuals remain unclear about their roles in fostering change from their own unique vantage points. The summit, she believes, bridges this divide by democratizing the conversation and transferring power.

In Johnson's eyes, the backlash against DEI is a call to rebuild—a chance to construct something better. "Anti-DEI activists will attack us regardless of what we call our efforts," she says. "What happens when we care for each other, build our own tables, and nourish our own communities despite them?" This embodiment of Johnson's mission—radical empathy, community building, and resilient resistance—is exemplified through each speaker. Whether it's Imani's excitement about transnational solidarity, Bela-Lobedde's push for a broader racial reckoning in Europe, or the Byrds' dedication to raising self-aware, enlightened children, the message is clear: DEI isn't dying; it's being reborn—outside corporations, beyond slogans, and in the hands of the community, who've never required permission to do the work in the first place.

Sources

The Future of DEI Virtual Summit (Retrieved on 2023-02-01)
Forbes, "What the Future of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Could Look Like," by Fatima Doman, January 25, 2023.
LinkedIn, "Neurodiversity Inclusion: The Future of Workplace Diversity," by Eric Feng, Ph.D., July 22, 2022.
The Future of DEI Virtual Summit aims to reclaim the spotlight for DEI discussions.
Erin Corine Johnson, an identity and belonging coach, curated the event.
The summit offers raw, global conversations and a thriving community of change-makers.
Johnson believes current sociopolitical issues are exacerbated, but not the primary cause of DEI issues.
The summit is aimed at those questioning "What can I do now?"
The summit includes conversations, panels, fireside chats, and more.
Blair Imani, creator of the Smarter in Seconds series, will speak on inclusive education.
Bela-Lobedde will spotlight racism in Spain and dismantle the myth that DEI is an American concern.
The Byrds will discuss guiding children through discussions about racism.
Their session, "How to Talk to Kids About Racism," tackles educating children about systems of inequality.
Louis Byrd believes the future of DEI is about ownership of businesses and communities.
The summit aims to bring everyday people to the table.
Johnson notices a gap between DEI practitioners and those DEI was meant to help.
Anti-DEI activists will attack regardless of efforts.
Johnson's mission embodies radical empathy, community building, and resilient resistance.
Imani is excited about transnational solidarity.
Bela-Lobedde pushes for a broader racial reckoning in Europe.
The Byrds are dedicated to raising self-aware, open-minded children.
DEI isn't dying; it's being reborn—outside corporations, beyond slogans, and in the hands of the community.
Scheduled for five action-packed days, the summit includes conversations, panels, fireside chats, and more.
Each speaker exemplifies Johnson's mission: radical empathy, community building, and resilient resistance.
The summit gathers a myriad of speakers, from digital educators to antiracist scholars.
Imani says we needn't succumb to harsh, regressive policies.
Bela-Lobedde's Laboratorio de Deconstrucción symbolizes a potential blueprint for the evolving DEI landscape.
Roots of the evolving DEI landscape are planted in lived experience and sustained by a community.
The summit is aimed at addressing the question: What is the future of DEI, and how can we ignite transformation outside unstable institutions?
The summit encourages everyday individuals to contribute actively to antiracist transformation.
The message is clear: DEI isn't dying; it's being reborn—in the hands of the community, who've never required permission to do the work in the first place.