DE&I in Community: What We Might Not Realize We’re Missing

Here’s something that I hear often in associations: “We’re a global organization so we’re diverse by nature.”

This statement drives me up a wall and let me explain to you why.

Diversity is about much more than global representation. It doesn’t operate alone and is often where many organizations get stuck when it comes to how they think about DE&I. Diversity also requires the fair and equitable treatment of the people who navigate the systems we create, that we enable those people to feel like they are welcome to the conversation and intentionally create experiences and cultures that allow for that to happen, and that an environment is created by which no one feels ostracized or excluded because of their differences. There is a reason it’s called Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Which leads me to online communities.

As community builders it is in our nature to ensure that the spaces we build feel inclusive. That it feels like those who seek to gather there feel like they belong the minute they decide to join. That we bring a diversity of thought. But we are not without our blind spots and taking a step back and looking at everything from how our communities are set up to the voices we most often amplify (or not) is key to ensuring that our community actually feels like a community. If you think this might apply to your community program, here are a few things you can do right now to see where you are and where you need to go. 

Audit your online community

What’s that, you say? You do that already? Do you know if the font is the right size for those who are visually impaired? Does your video content have captions? Is the content you regularly feature lopsided (more men than women, etc.)? Does your programming only occur during your organization’s operating hours? Your community audit should include more than just whether your site breadcrumbs lead to the right places or if the content is tagged correctly. Taking stock of your community holistically and uncovering where your community’s culture and experience could use a closer look is essential to ensuring that your community members are getting the best value from their interaction there.

Ask for feedback often

As you are preparing to roll out new features and/or content, utilize your community members (or even your association staff) for feedback. And not just “does this feature make sense” but “how would an existing or new community member experience X?” Open it up for input and listen if you are told that the timing of your programming never allows for people from certain parts of the world to participate live, if it’s pointed out that certain imagery could be considered offensive, or if people express that your choice of words in copy feels polarizing (even if it feels harmless to you). Be open to understanding perspectives that are not your own and ask for that same quality of input as you progress forward.

Check your own bias

We all bring our own biases to the table as we move through our day to day, whether we realize it or not. However, it’s important that we be intentional about understanding those biases and how they could potentially impact how we cultivate the community experience for the collective. As a black woman building community, I tend to be more sensitive if there is underrepresentation in spaces where there is an opportunity to elevate BIPOC and/or female voices. It also could cause me to miss the context behind why that may be or to lean too heavily toward my sensitivity when creating opportunities within the communities that I build which could cause unintentional alienation. Be cognizant of where you may be more sensitive – or alternatively, acutely unaware – to ensure that you are thinking of your community and the experiences that they may need to better engage.

There’s a level of intentionality in all of this that has to be built into your normal ways of working. A colleague of mine has a Post-It note on her monitor that reminds her to think about our regional colleagues and members. The action can be as simple as a note to remind you to think differently or as detailed as including DE&I practices in your community playbook.

Despite our best efforts, we won’t always get things right. But being open to knowing and understanding that and continuing to learn so that our community spaces continue to serve those we build them with will be an incredible tool you can lean on in every aspect of how you work.

How do you bring intentionality into your community-building practice as it pertains to DE&I? Tell us in the comments below!