164 - Why DEI Doesn’t Have to DIE: Employer Considerations for Thriving in a Post-Harvard/UNC Era

Margaret Parnell Hogan, co-chair of Littler’s Women's Leadership Initiative and shareholder, speaks with Anna Curry Gualano, principal and Littler Learning Group director. They discuss Anna’s journey, the women who have inspired her along the way, and how she, in turn, inspires many at the firm.

Emily Haigh, U.S. Army veteran and co-founder of Littler's Veterans Initiative, speaks with Littler attorneys Michael Kibbe, Caroline Lutz and Jonathan Heller, about how their military experience has had a positive impact on their legal practice.

When President Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential campaign last month and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic Party’s nominee, the move resulted in several historical firsts. It also placed a swift focus on intersectionality and identity politics as tensions mount in the final stretch of the 2024 election cycle. Littler Principal Cindy-Ann Thomas and her guests, University of North Carolina (Charlotte) Associate Chair of Communications Studies, Professor Debra C. Smith, and Littler Shareholder Bradford Kelley, explore: - The interplay of race, gender, and ethnicity for women in leadership and how they detract from meaningful conversations about suitability and competence; - Why and how topics like appearance, attire, voice pitch/tone, laughter, temperament, and likeability continue to persist so disproportionately for women; - The real meaning of “DEI Hire” and other coded terms; - How the perpetuation of inappropriate labels and evaluation criteria hinder progress for members of historically minoritized populations in key leadership roles – beyond the position of POTUS; - The role that the media and big tech ecosystem play in normalizing coded language, microaggressions, and stereotypes; - How biased messaging and beliefs about political candidates spill into workplaces; and - Possible guidelines – and guardrails - for implementing standards of conduct and handling discussions of politically diverse perspectives present in the workplace. This podcast offers an in-depth discussion about how and why an increasingly contentious election cycle is having such a taxing and divisive impact for so many.

Littler’s Anna Curry Gualano is joined by her father, Ashley Curry, to discuss their advocacy work in Alabama to update the traditional accessibility symbol to one that is more inclusive and empowering.

In celebration of Pride Month, Littler shareholder Mattheus Stephens and associates Trevor Hardy and Jessica Wimsatt discuss their advocacy work for LGBTQIA+ individuals in their local communities. The group also highlights the importance of how being authentically you and sharing your story can help others find community and feel connected.

In continued celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Littler shareholder Alyesha Asghar speaks with associates Alan Persaud and Grace Waddell about their experience in the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s Pathfinders Program and the inclusive community of legal professionals they joined by participating.

In honor of this year’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month theme “Advancing Leaders Through Innovation,” Littler associate Ed Tsui spoke with Littler shareholder, Lavanga Wijekoon, who shared how he has been able to advance his practice at the firm through innovation.

Littler Women's Leadership Initiative co-chair Margaret Parnell Hogan, interviews fellow Littler attorney Dionysia L. Johnson-Massie, about how respecting women in the workplace helps recruit and retain crucial talent, among other IE&D efforts.

As February comes to a close, we end our celebration of Black History Month with a podcast featuring Littler attorneys and authors in honor of this year’s theme “African Americans and the Arts.” Littler attorney Karimah Lamar, has a thought-provoking conversation with fellow Littler attorneys Michael Wilder and Tiffany Obeng, who share their journey to becoming published authors and the influence it has had on their careers.

Since the United States Supreme Court issued its ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard University and the University of North Carolina on June 29, 2023, striking down race-conscious admission processes in higher education, it has sent shock waves throughout the corporate community as business leaders consider the decision’s potential impact on their own diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Littler Principal Cindy-Ann Thomas and her guest, Littler Shareholder Kim Carter, explore: - The real significance of SCOTUS’ decision on the corporate sector - The challenges associated with language and terms associated with DEI initiatives - Strategies for reshaping and broadening the concept of “diversity” in screening and evaluating talent going forward - Business considerations for reinforcing commitments in this evolving space