Today, we celebrate the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. During his time, he often expressed his thoughts that people should be judged by the content of their character and not by their skin color.  Women of color STEM professionals are too often judged by their skin color. Working in offices, which are not inclusive, have made many dream of what life would be like if it was an inclusive workplace.

Here are some definitions of an inclusive workplace from many women of color STEM professionals.

 

Woman of Color STEM Professional #1 definition:

 

There are so many layers of inclusivity – from mindset to physical environment, to team building, etc. Reflecting on past employment, my ideal inclusive workplace would include:

1. Leadership that modeled the concept – men, women of all backgrounds, including varying education levels.
2. Top positions don’t necessarily have to be held by those with an Ivy League education. This is a tough one, since I value higher education. My point is that there is talent that comes from every socioeconomic background, even those with life circumstances where traditional higher education wasn’t an option.
3. Physical office space can help foster inclusion. I’m not a fan of a huge room with just desks, but there has to be a compromise between closed offices that allow people to work in physical as well as mental isolation.
4. Activities that involve and highlight the strengths of both introverts and extroverts (you know that’s a big one for me).
5. Like the concept of multi-generational households, some sense of involving multi-experiential backgrounds. Recent hires out of college may not have the experience of the veteran employees, but have other benefits of youth to contribute. The entire spectrum needs to be validated.
6. This is hokey, but paid hours where employees get to know the people they work side by side, with every day but have no clue who they are, what they struggle with, what personal things they bring to work that make them perform well or distract.

 

Woman of Color STEM Professional #2 definition:

 

A place that promotes community, zero tolerance of all of the “isms”, has benefits for domestic partnerships, likely has a diversity team/committee, recognizes certain months like women, black history, native americans. Doesn’t have a restrictive dress code such that wearing head dress and/or afrons would be an issue. The signage in the office would have inclusive terms/symbols…etc. I noticed my office started to replace a lot of the posters to show minorities…

 

Woman of Color STEM Professional #3 definition:

 

That’s a lengthy response, unfortunately, I don’t have time to give one. However a brief summary would be, that all employees feel valued whether there’s something else going on behind the scenes is another thing but as long as all employees feel valued, all employees are given equal access to opportunities whether it be promotions, training etc. One that is representative of what I feel is our country overall which is a melting pot. gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, etc. Diversity is Paramount and it’s visible – not wording in a mission statement to satisfy societal expectations.

 

Woman of Color STEM Professional #4 definition:

 

For me it’s being deliberate with the hiring to ensure that diverse groups are represented – ethnic groups, age, religions, sexual orientations, etc. If you are hiring and every person that comes in looks exactly alike then it’s not inclusive or diverse. Once the employees are there you truly value their input and seek to understand how decisions and practices impact them. The higher ups are empathetic and seek to understand.

 

Woman of Color STEM Professional #5 definition:

 

Hmmm…inclusive workplaces. Personally, I think inclusive workplaces are necessary for positive morale. Many personality traits NEED the diversity and personal connections with others in order to be effective professionally. I, myself do not but I know of many people who do. To me an inclusive workplace is one that employs people from all walks of life and shows that they value the person. It provides opportunities for their employees to come together on a personal level as well as professionally. My take on inclusive workplace is it is a good model which would work for a startup or small to medium company. When trying to establish this type of environment in a more established company would cause possible friction and push back. Even if tried in a small department such as marketing, it wouldn’t trickle down to the rest of the company.

 

Woman of Color STEM Professional #6 definition:

 

None of the companies that I have worked for have been inclusive .Characteristics of an inclusive workplace would be a place where my ideas are taken serious not to mention my concerns. Diversity is considered when hiring. I shouldn’t be seen as a threat to someone in a hire position which at times can hinder not only my growth but the companies. Pay should be based on skill and experience.

 

Woman of Color STEM Professional #7 definition:

 

An inclusive workplace to me is:

• a workplace that has diverse employees from different racial backgrounds, cultural backgrounds,
• with a representation of both genders across all levels in the company, and technical backgrounds with
• an atmosphere in the office of celebrating and respecting everyone’s differences and similarities.

I also feel like it’s more inclusive when people are willing to openly discuss diversity.

 

Woman of Color STEM Professional #8 definition:

 

An inclusive workplace is one that values individuals and their differences. It embraces diversity…a variety of ethnicities, orientations, backgrounds, and perspectives.

When I think of inclusive workplaces, here are my top five characteristics:

1. Minority representation
2. Workplace culture that celebrates everyone on any occasion
3. Unbiased opinions based on race, gender, sexual orientations
4. Allowance of opinions and input from every team member (even if it’s about management) There has to be safe places for people to vent because that’s when you find solutions.
5. Cake day to celebrate birthdays

 

Woman of Color STEM Professional #9 definition:

 

Characteristics of an inclusive workplace include:

• welcoming and appreciation of different cultures
• environment that welcomes questions and curiosity within a respectful framework
• an environment that accepts different modes of communication
• an environment that promotes and teaches self- inquiry and personal responsibility
• an environment that teaches people how to have respectful conversations about differences
• an environment that understands and accepts different age group and gender differences
• an environment that actively assesses workforces talents and assists people in working at the top of their skill set
• zero tolerance for misbehavior

Inclusive means an environment where I see myself – my ethnicity, my gender, and my values represented throughout the organization alongside those that differ from me.

 

Woman of Color STEM Professional #10 definition:

 

Personally, I think inclusive workplaces are necessary for positive morale. Many personality traits NEED the diversity and personal connections with others in or order to be effective professionally. I myself do not but I know of many people who do. To me an inclusive workplace is one that employs people from all walks of life and shows that they value the person. It provides opportunities for their employees to come together on a personal level as well as professional.

After reading these 10 definitions of an inclusive workplace, are their dreams too far-fetched? Is an inclusive workplace as described by women of color STEM professionals attainable in their lifetimes or careers? How much longer will it take for women of color to be judged by the content of their character and not be asked or assume they are the janitor? Women of Color STEM professionals have a dream of an inclusive workplace, when will it become a reality?