Inclusive Leadership Institute

Happy National Boss’s Day!

Thank you for leading the team well
and for making our workplace a good place to be in!

Happy Women's Small Business Month!

Here is to all the women who continue to inspire and lead in our community! Fort Worth is better because of people like YOU!

Comment one of your favorite women owned businesses below. 💗

 Girl Boss Women-Owned Businesses Wanted ❤️
Sign up and share! Vendor tables will fill up quickly.

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Ways organizations can be in compliance with Executive Order GA-55 and still support DEI

Executive Order GA-55, issued by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in January 2025, directs all state agencies to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, emphasizing a “color-blind” approach that treats individuals equally regardless of race, s*x, or background.

For organizations especially those operating in Texas or contracting with state agencies, compliance with GA-55 means removing race or identity-based preferences in hiring, training, and programming.

However, that doesn’t mean they must abandon all efforts to foster inclusive environments. Here a few ways how an organization might navigate this:

- Focus on Inclusion Through Universal Values: Promote respect, collaboration, and belonging without referencing race, gender, or other protected categories. For example, training can emphasize empathy, communication, and teamwork.

- Use Data-Neutral Metrics: Instead of targeting specific demographic groups, organizations can track outcomes like employee engagement, retention, or access to mentorship without tying them to identity.

- Support Socioeconomic Mobility: Programs that help individuals from under-resourced backgrounds without explicitly referencing race or gender, can still align with broader equity goals.

- Encourage Diverse Thought: GA-55 criticizes DEI for allegedly stifling diverse viewpoints. Organizations can respond by fostering open dialogue and intellectual diversity, which aligns with the order’s stated intent.

- Partner Outside State Structures: Private organizations not bound by GA-55 can still collaborate with nonprofits or community groups to support inclusive initiatives off the clock or outside official channels.

It’s a tightrope, but not an impossible one. the approach.

Inclusive Leadership Institute
Culture Consultants - MiShon Landry

Resources:

https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-directs-state-agencies-to-ban-dei-policies

https://www.newsweek.com/texas-abbott-color-blind-order-diversity-policies-2024550

As Women's History Month closes here are four actions that individuals can take to support and strengthen the power of women.

1. Educate Yourself and Others:
Deepening your understanding of women's history, the evolution of gender roles, and the challenges women continue to face lays a powerful foundation for advocacy. Read books, attend workshops, follow credible news outlets, and listen to podcasts that explore issues such as systemic bias, pay inequity, and intersectionality. By educating yourself, you can have informed conversations and share accurate insights with your peers, encouraging them to reflect on their own assumptions. Consider organizing discussion groups or informal reading circles in your community to further disseminate this knowledge. This kind of grassroots education empowers you to recognize subtle biases and dismantle gender stereotypes over time.

2. Advocate for Policy Changes and Social Justice:
Real change often begins at the policy level. Whether at a local, state, or national level, individual voices matter in the fight for equality. Join or support organizations that lobby for stronger enforcement of equal pay, family leave, reproductive rights, and anti-discrimination laws. Writing letters to your local representatives, participating in peaceful protests, or leveraging social media platforms to raise awareness about legislative issues can amplify the message. When communities unite around policy issues, the collective weight can influence lawmakers to prioritize women’s rights and social justice.

3. Mentor, Sponsor, and Champion Women's Voices:
In many professional and creative fields, women face unique obstacles in career advancement. Offer your time and expertise by mentoring emerging women leaders or professionals in your field. This might involve sharing career advice, facilitating introductions to key networks, or advocating for their advancement during performance reviews and committee meetings. Sponsorship goes a step further by actively recommending and advocating for opportunities on someone else’s behalf. This support not only boosts individual confidence but also helps to diversify leadership across industries, creating a ripple effect of empowerment.

4. Amplify and Celebrate Women’s Work:
One of the most effective ways to honor the contributions of women is to highlight them. Buy products and services from women-owned businesses, attend events featuring women speakers, artists, and entrepreneurs, and share their stories with your network. Use social media as a platform to uplift their achievements by sharing articles, interviews, and success stories that often go underreported. This practice not only provides essential exposure for women in various fields but also educates your audience on the diversity of talent and perspective that women bring to the table.

These approaches not only enrich public discourse but also keeps the momentum of empowerment alive beyond Women's History Month.

Read The Latest Report EJI's report documents how racial bias in jury selection undermines reliability.

Excited to be a Sponsor for Health's Angels Wheels & Wings 5K

Sunday, April 13, 2025

Woodshed Smokehouse
3201 Riverfront Dr
Fort Worth TX 76107

STARTING TIMES

5K Run/Walk (3.1 miles) - 8:30 AM
RACE DAY REGISTRATION & PACKET PICKUP BEGINS AT 7:00 am AT RACE SITE

COST

5K Run/ Walk (By March 10th): $30
5K Run/Walk (By April 12th): $35
5K Run/ Walk (Race Day): $40
RACE DAY REGISTRATION starts RACE DAY 7:00 am at the RACE SITE.

https://wheelswings5k.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=16651

NOTE: T-Shirt size availability not guaranteed to participants registered after April 1st.

The proceeds from the Wheels & Wings 5K will go directly toward advancing research and finding a cure for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) via Health's Angels Cycling Team. By participating in this event, you are helping to fund groundbreaking studies, innovative therapies, and vital resources that support individuals living with MS. Your contribution will empower scientists and medical professionals to make strides toward ending this disease, while also providing hope and care for those affected. Together, we can drive progress and make a meaningful difference in the fight against MS.

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PACKET PICKUP

RACE DAY ONLY!!!

Race Day Packet Pickup will be available starting at 7:00 AM at the Race Site.

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AWARDS

5K Women and Men

Overall Male & Female; Overall Master Male and Female; Runners 12 & Under; 13-15; 16-18; 19-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70-74; 75-79; 80 & Over; Race Walkers

5K Awards are awarded three deep in each age group for the 5K Run/Walk based on Chip Time. However, overall and masters winners will be decided by gun time.

RESULTS WILL BE CHIP TIMED BY COX RACING SERVICES