Whiteness at Work

Companies all across the country are attempting to grapple with the issues raised by the movement for black lives. In this episode we explore diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. We speak with two women who have taken leadership roles in confronting these issues in their careers, as they help us unpack the challenges black and other people of color face in the office and the obstacles white people face in coming to terms with our roles in a work culture that systematically empowers white sensibilities and devalues differing perspectives.

Tisha Held is a Principle Auditor with BECU credit union. A long time advocate for women and people of color in the workplace,  she is professional development chair of BECU women's leadership group, and member of Belonging Inclusion Leveraging Differences (BILD) and Black Alliance Coop.

Norah Castillo is Manager of HR Analytics with a healthcare firm. Her role naturally coincides with DEI efforts in her company and additionally she serves as a member of her firm's employee -led advisory council. Particularly in the days of protest since the killing of George Floyd, she has found herself as a vocal leader in her workplace confronting issues of whiteness, privilege and racism.

Want more conversation on this topic? Try this discussion from the Harvard Business Review.