Allies and Advocates: Creating an Inclusive and Equitable Culture

From the Inside Flap If done right, inclusion positively impacts every part of society. Creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable culture isn't easyx97it requires courage, dedication, and a lot of hard work. Real inclusion requires you to take responsibility, and sometimes have uncomfortable conversations or make hard choices. Succeeding at allyship means you doing what you can to contribute to and create cultures where fairness, respect, and mindfulness are the rule, rather than the exception. This is the key to building environments where everyone feels welcome, valued, and safe. The goal of Allies and Advocates is to move organizations and society as a whole beyond mandated diversity initiatives and achieve long-term and impactful change. You will understand how to integrate innovative ideas and traditional approaches to build solutions that work best for you. Everyone has some degree of privilege. Rooted in author Amber Cabral's years of experience in helping organizations ignite behavior shifts to create inclusive cultures, this practical, real-world guide shows you how speaking up and using your privilege is allyship and advocate behavior at its very best. You may not always see the many ways you have privilege; you have likely encountered challenges or bad experiences in your life. This is perfectly normal. Sometimes privilege doesn't come from something you did, but rather from something about your identity that you had no control over. Recognizing your own privilege empowers you to create visibility and opportunities for those who are dealing with the impacts of systemic oppression. Addressing equity and inclusion is something that many people aren't brave enough to talk about, yet bravery is essential to learning how to be better allies and advocates. If you are looking forward to building a culture of inclusivity and want to learn how to use your privilege to be a better ally, Allies and Advocates: Creating an Inclusive and Equitable Culture is a must-have. PRAISE FOR Allies and Advocates "Do you have an appetite for radical candor? In Allies and Advocates , Amber Cabral takes you by the hand and leads you into a world of vulnerability and self-exploration from which you emerge as an instrument of change. She is the authentic voice we didn't know was missing from the conversation. Witty, wise, and full of gems, this is the no-nonsense guide we've been waiting for–from a voice we can trust." ―KISHA MODICA, Head of Equality & Belonging, Gap Inc. "The work is never easy. Yet, Cabral's Allies and Advocates attempts to make the work simpler through sharp, cogent storytelling from her transformative work across multiple sectors. Cabral's book brings the reader to a shared clarity and understanding of humanity in a time of great uncertainty and injustice." ―JOSÉ LUIS VILSON, author, This is Not a Test and Executive Director, EduColor "A must-read for anyone curious about how to contribute towards a more equitable society. Amber simply and effectively provides historical events in context and arms us with necessary vocabulary, concepts, and steps for all of us to act, ally, and advocate in service of the marginalized. Why? Because black lives matter too, because we all have some privilege that we can choose to turn into power to uplift the underrepresented and dismantle oppressive systems, because of our shared humanity." ―LYNN WONG, Senior Director II, Global Logistics, Walmart Inc. " Allies and Advocates is a must-read for any professional seeking to create or enhance an inclusive environment. Especially during the current climate, the importance of this book is immeasurable! With every page, Amber paints a portrait of what true inclusion looks like; whether it's applied to the workplace, or to one's personal life. The authenticity of Amber's delivery is not only easy to digest, but also informative and has something every person can take away regardless of background, race, ethnicity, gender, age, or experience. Awesomely, fantastic work!" ―LATRICIA HILL-CHANDLER, Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Arvest Bank AMBER CABRAL is an inclusion strategist, certified coach, writer, and speaker who has been featured on television and in print and digital media. Formerly a Diversity Strategist at Walmart Stores, Inc., she is founder of Cabral Co., a diversity, equity, and inclusive leadership-focused consulting firm. She hosts the You Can Have Whatever You Want podcast and regularly speaks and writes about inclusion, culture, equity, and social justice topics. Read more