Evolving from the Diversity Initiative to the Inclusion Initiative

On May 13, 2011, TSNE launched the rebranding of the Diversity & Inclusion Initiative to Inclusion Initiative.

Since 1990, the Inclusion Initiative, formerly known as the Diversity & Inclusion Initiative, has supported organizations committed to becoming more diverse and inclusive. They have done so with our program support by reflecting constituent demographics on their boards and staff, and incorporating constituent perspectives in developing programs and delivering services.

One of the tenets of the program: Revisions and changes have been made based on growth through lessons learned from our grantees' work. Each time we have implemented an evaluation of the program, we have incorporated best practices from our learning community.

The name change from the Diversity & Inclusion Initiative to the Inclusion Initiative represents another milestone. We know that most of the organizations that have participated in the program over the past 20 years have been able to achieve a degree of diversity. At first it was predominantly race based. As we aligned mission with constituent perspective, however, diversity expanded to include race and sexual orientation, religion, gender, ability and class.

This of course made life more complicated as there are no easy solutions to a process that demands constant attention. And as we peeled back layers of revelation nurtured by education, we came to realize that we strive against forces embedded in societal norms. Institutional racism and its many components rose as the bulwark against substantive progress.

In spite of our best efforts to achieve diversity, sustaining those efforts was nearly impossible.

Powering Change for Diverse Communities

We grew to realize that while we said we honored and welcomed difference, we also expected those representing difference to learn “how we do things here” in our organizations. The difference we sought – and said we embraced – was not incorporated into how we develop policy and practices, and how we deliver services.

Diversity: A Tool, Not the Solution

Our shared experiences and rich discussions led to an “aha!” moment. Diversity is only the tool, not the solution. It is a crucial component of our vision for organizations that reflect the communities being served, but achieving diversity without institutional shifts inhibits our ability to walk our talk about embracing difference. And so, it is more accurate to rename the program in a way that clearly states the ultimate vision.

The Inclusion Initiative works with each organization to rethink its mission, vision and constituents as integral components to identify. We help organizations work through obstacles that impede their reflection of and service to increasingly diverse communities.

We have rebranded the program in gratitude to your efforts and generosity, sharing your journey with us.