Gen Z may be the most diverse generation yet, but minority groups in the UK and US continue to face discrimination – so developing effective ways to include disadvantaged groups is more pressing than ever. Canvas8 spoke to June Sarpong, author of Diversify, to uncover the insights behind why inclusivity benefits us all.
A team of researchers at Oxford University created an ‘ism’ calculator, which presents readers with questions that challenge their beliefs on various groups, issues, and society. “If your social group looks, thinks and believes similarly to you, chances are that your view of the world is a linear one,” says Sarpong. “By checking your circle, you can identify the gaps; where are the others that are not in your circle? How can you create a new connection to bring others into that circle?
“Race is one of the conversations that most people are most uncomfortable around, but racist points of view are still widespread; a 2014 survey found that 22% of Europeans think some races or ethnic groups are born less intelligent than others, while 47% think some races or ethnic groups are born harder working than others. And if you look at disability, the statistics are just shocking; one in five people in the UK have a disability, with learning disabilities alone affecting 1.4 million, of whom only 6% are in work. We would never accept those sort of stats in any other group, and currently there are over one million people seeking employment who can’t find work because of their disability.
“We are losing out on vast amounts of talent by not being inclusive, and to create a truly inclusive workforce, it does mean that we have to have those difficult conversations. It means we have to look at ourselves honestly – but in doing so, we all benefit. Many communities have been forgotten and ignored, and those with the platforms or resources to do so need to look at how they go out, seek those communities, train those communities, and create a talent pipeline so it is not all the same moving forward.”
According to research from McKinsey, racially and ethnically diverse companies are 35% more likely to have returns above national industry medians, while a study conducted by Deloitte found that “diverse companies see 2.3 times the cash flow per employee when compared to their less diverse peers.” It’s a concept that’s in-keeping with the fact that Gen Y see diversity as much more than corporate social responsibility, perceiving it as the key to building success and generating new ideas; 86% believe that differences of opinion allow teams to excel, but only 59% think their leaders feel the same way. Diversify prompts us to consider how different perspectives can redefine success, turning it into a more inclusive metric that benefits society at large.
June Sarpong MBEis one of the most recognisable faces in British broadcasting. In addition to 20 years of television work, she has worked extensively with HRH Prince Charles as an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust. She is the co-founder of Women: Inspiration & Enterprise and in 2007 was awarded an MBE for services to broadcasting and charity.
Alex Quicho is Canvas8’s Americas editor. Born in Boston and raised in Manila, she loves to read and write about art, power, and the future. She has a master’s degree in critical writing from the Royal College of Art.
