The Value of Belonging Work

We’ve scheduled two events to dive into this topic: the round-table discussion in April and the webinar in August. 

Spending on DEI is decreasing. 

Lots of professionals in the field are feeling the belts tightening around them. Fewer speaking engagements, smaller budgets for workshops and events. The ripples are spreading through our industry, and with good reason.

For the past 3 or so years, execs have been throwing money at new initiates. With increased calls for racial justice in light of high-profile police murders of Black men, and a spirit of innovation around the pandemic and the unprecedented disruption and isolation that it necessitated, it was a perfect storm for folks in the DEI field - a time full of opportunities.

Since the dawn of 2023, many of us can feel things shifting. A little less zeal is behind these initiatives as decision makers try to figure out how to deal with the "new normal" of our post-pandemic economy and lives. We're seeing a shift back towards the status quo. For people who are in the business of creating change, this is bad news.

How may we have contributed to this situation?

In the heyday of DEI, the messaging around its value was largely "bottom line" calculations. You'll save this amount of dollars on turnover. You'll make this amount of dollars from new, diverse clients. We spoke the language that execs understand - even though what we offer is so much more. So much more important than a dollar saved or an extra buck earned.

So, what is the real value of “belonging work?” What impact does it have on businesses outside of "bottom line" calculations? Why should execs care when the financial benefit has run its course? Why keep investing in initiatives that are not necessarily going to make any extra money this quarter or fiscal year?

We in the field of DEI and belonging need to articulate new answers to these questions. We know the ROI is high, when we take a more holistic and qualitative approach. How can we make this clear to stakeholders who aren't fluent in the language of what we have to offer?

Let's talk about it! Register today. 

These two events are geared towards DEI/belonging professionals, but the power of our work is in the diversity of voices present. Attendance is open to all who are interested in exploring this question around “the real value of Belonging work.”