Moving Diversity Forward: How to Go from Well-Meaning to Well-Doing

by Vernā Myers

This book offers a blend of accessible theory and tools for practical application to benefit any reader willing to learn about diversity. It thoughtfully explores ideas that are often left unspoken regarding underlying challenges to successful diversity and inclusion efforts.

Genres: Nonfiction, Race, Social Justice, Leadership, Business

190 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2011

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear, focused, practicable, and direct; there's much in this book that the reader -- especially the white reader -- can put into action immediately. I would love to see an update of this book with better graphics, which date the otherwise excellent text.

[Ang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot recommend this and its companion (What If I Say the Wrong Thing?: 25 Habits for Culturally Effective People) more highly. Myers has written a fabulously clear, super great book for those of us interested in increasing diversity in our organizations. There is tons of info here, but also tons of practical suggestions about how to do this work.

(There is a lot of content relating to diversity in law in this book especially, since that's where Myers' work on diversity started, but this book is applicable to pretty much any organization, I think.)

I'm super excited that Myers is keynoting ILA 2017, and can't WAIT to hear her speak.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best, most accessible book I've read on these topics. The author is frank, honest, and insightful. This will be my go-to recommendation for people looking to understand privilege and inclusion and want to change things for the better.

[Emily VA · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be my favorite book ever on structural racism and how to
* identify it in the culture and structures of the institutions and organizations in which I live and work and move
* deliberately reform those institutions and organizations to be more inclusive
* personally interrupt racism (and sexism and ableism and other forms of implicit and explicit bias) when it happens in front of me, in a way that preserves my relationship with both the offender and the victim, and allows for the frailty and mistakes we all make to be used as a source of common learning and growth.

The author both tackled the typical knowledge building about race and implicit bias, and also shared a lot of really actionable strategies. Often, I’ve finished an anti racism book smarter and more educated, but still thinking, “but what should I *do* to make it better?!?” With this book, I have a lot of concrete things to start doing, and I am so grateful.

This book is super overdue from the library, and I think I need to buy my own version to have it to refer to later.

My main caveat is that it’s very firmly grounded in the author’s experience helping law firms improve their inclusion efforts, and so many of the examples are drawn from that experience. But I don’t think it’s a far stretch to bridge her insights to other contexts.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

The was a very accessible book that provided numerous strategies; in short, it more than lived up to its billing. I was a little concerned that the dance metaphor's use would be heavy-handed, but it was used with a light touch. Although it was written for the ABA press, I find that its lessons would be applicable in almost any professional environment.

[Brooke Dilling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book with very practical steps on diversity, equity, and inclusion across organizations. I would highly recommend it to anyone working to better themselves and their organization.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the entire book, but I really appreciated the last chapter which included action steps that I can take away and start doing today.

[Rebecca]

Recommended in Waking Up White: And Finding Myself in the Story of Race.

[Sharon Orlopp · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on diversity that I have read. Very transparent, insightful observations about whites and blacks in the workplace. Has immediate practical application, especially concerning performance appraisals and feedback.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very much appreciated the clear, kind and approachable tone and hope to take many of the fine action steps.