DEI boards that bring teams together

DEI stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and are closely linked values crucial for the success of any business. DEI goals seek to create a safe, just, and beneficial society for everyone involved. 

Diversity: The wide range of employees that make up a company, with their unique characteristics and identities. Diversity includes differences in things like age, gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, and disabilities. 

Equity: ensuring equal opportunities for all employees without discrimination, regardless of their differences. Leveling the playing field at work so that everyone has an equal chance to participate in a way that accommodates differences and needs. 

Inclusion: creating a company culture and environment where everyone feels safe, valued, and respected; where everyone is celebrated for what they bring to the table without fear of retribution or discrimination.

DEI initiatives are the efforts of an organization to promote better diversity, equity, and inclusion within their workplace and their company culture. Initiatives are employee engagement programs and best practices set up by company leaders to increase understanding of DEI and cater to the unique differences among their teams. DEI initiatives include things like:

• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
• Mentorship programs
• Fair hiring practices
• Celebrating DEI holidays
• DEI training and education

There are many reasons to implement better DEI initiatives in the workplace and why they are important. Not only is it morally the right thing to do, but it will also benefit everyone in the end (a true win-win!). Here are some of the reasons why companies are beginning to recognize the need for DEI initiatives in their organizations:

• A diverse team of employees means a wider pool of customers that can be reached and understood
• Greater innovation and creativity from more perspectives 
• A wider pool of talent to recruit from
• Better long-term health
• Increased job performance 
• Higher company profits
• Better employee engagement 

Stronger company culture and overall employee experience

A DEI celebration refers to something that has the goal of recognizing, appreciating, and promoting DEI in society. They recognize the value of sharing experiences from all different cultures, backgrounds, races, religions, etc. DEI celebrations usually involve various activities that foster understanding, acceptance, and belonging. DEI work celebrations include things like:

• Training or workshops
• Community Outreach and networking
• Exhibits or displays
• Guest speakers 
• Cultural performances 
• Team building activities 
• Celebration of DEI holidays

DEI celebrations help to foster more inclusion and belonging among employees at work. When a company actively shows its appreciation for the diversity in its workforce by celebrating DEI holidays it begins to build bridges of trust and respect that will bleed into the fabric of company culture and identity. DEI holiday celebrations create an opportunity to learn about other cultures and experiences and increase awareness of the challenges marginalized groups have faced. This breaks down harmful stereotypes, encourages important conversations, and helps to develop better policies and practices that serve all employees – both current and future.

Company leaders attempting to get ahead of the game are often found wondering which DEI holidays they can, and should, celebrate at work. Google searches of “What DEI holidays are in April?” or “How to celebrate Diwali” commonly occur in meetings regarding DEI initiatives. Because there are so many DEI holidays to keep track of many companies find it helpful to utilize a DEI holiday calendar each year to simplify the stress of knowing when different holidays occur and how they should celebrate. Here are some common DEI celebrations found on DEI celebration calendars in today’s workplace:

• Women’s History Month or International Women’s Day (March)
• Juneteenth (June)
• Cinco de Mayo (May)
• Black History Month (February)
• Hispanic Heritage Month (September-October)
• Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (May)
• Disability Awareness Month (October)
• Indigenous People’s Day (October)
• Deaf History Month (April)
• Diwali (October/November)
• World Autism Awareness Day (April)
• Lunar New Year (February)

If you are looking for a way to access everything needed for workplace appreciation and DEI celebrations all in one spot, you have come to the right place! Elevate by Kudoboard is an ongoing business plan that provides all of the bells and whistles for the employee recognition that shows they’re valued by their company. Our plan provides unlimited customized boards, making it perfect for any size team to come together and celebrate DEI holidays anytime you need it. Our business plan makes it easy to quickly organize a DEI celebration event that will be remembered by all!

Start your free trial today and experience employee appreciation and celebration reimagined.

Kudoboard’s online platform allows employers and employees to create and share messages on digital boards for appreciation, recognition, and celebration. You can customize each board to your specific needs, making it a great option for fostering inclusivity in your workplace. Here are a few ways you can use Kudobard at work for DEI celebrations:

• Share Cultural Experiences: create a board where employees can share cultural experiences and traditions with other members of their team. Encourage them to share pictures, videos, stories, or other educational information that represents their culture, religion, or ethnicity.
• Host A Virtual DEI Event: this remote team-friendly option can be used as a way to encourage conversation and reflection following a DEI celebration held online. After the event is over, use the Kudoboard as a space for everyone to share their thoughts, feelings, and things they learned with other employees. 
• Shout-outs and Spotlights: use a kudoboard to highlight individual employees – including their unique backgrounds, talents, and experiences. Let the employee decide what information they want to be shared, and allow co-workers to contribute messages of support or appreciation. Send it out in an email or newsletter, or play it as a slideshow during a work meeting. 
• Recognition of Achievements: highlight important milestones or achievements of employees (or the company as a whole) by posting messages, videos, or pictures onto a kudoboard for the team.
• Holiday Greeting Cards: when DEI holidays and celebrations come around, create a board and allow employees to contribute messages, videos, pictures, or personal experiences to celebrate the diverse special occasions.

Still looking for more information? Come check out our blog! You’ll find new content like this posted regularly to help you find what you need. Feel free to poke around and see if anything else piques your interest. 

As always, we love hearing from you – so please contact us with any unanswered questions!