In this video, I share key insights from a recent keynote I did about “The Beloved Community”, echoing Dr. Cornel West's belief that love should involve an unwavering dedication to the well-being of the so-called “other”. The idea of “otherness”, and the notion of “us and them” contradicts true belonging. I urge us to resist the temptation to prioritize our own comfort and ego, which I see as a form of “laziness”.

Drawing inspiration from Howard Thurman, Josiah Royce, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., let’s remind ourselves of the importance of love even when faced with negative perceptions and biases. I encourage us to be open to be influenced by others, even if their views appear to conflict with our own. As this fosters genuine inclusion. We need to focus on creating the conditions that enable everyone to thrive in organizations, rather than simply reinforcing ideas of right and wrong. Transformation can be achieved through care and love, rather than an obsession with being right.

Because a beloved community is both a destination and a mindset. It’s a way of being.

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In this episode of the ‘Reconstructing Inclusion’ podcast, I had a chance to engage in an enlightening conversation with my mother, Dr. Harriett D. Johnson, bringing out profound narratives about her life, family history, experiences, and take on DEI, and professional journey as an educator. We touched on the impact of history on current diversity and inclusion practices, based on her experiences growing up.