Fostering a safe and inclusive environment for people of all ethnicities and cultures begins under our own roof.
The past few weeks have been very eye-opening for all of us at FAHM Technology Partners and to the wider business community. Racially-driven demonstrations have taken place around the world, near our satellite office in the U.S. and including Toronto, home to our headquarters. I sympathize with those who have experienced racial discrimination or abuse in their community and I want to ensure that FAHM Technology Partners continues to uphold the values of diversity on which I was raised and brought up on in Canada.
I believe that surrounding oneself with a diverse group of peers not only teaches you to respect people from other backgrounds but broadens your scope of work. This fosters an ability to learn from others who possess different experiences and come from various walks of life. I’m proud to say our leadership team at FAHM consists of multiple ethnicities and genders. Together, and after carefully listening to the important conversation occurring across the globe, we believe the best way to enact change is by first demonstrating it in our own community and workplace.
Therefore I think it’s very important we put words into action and pledge the following, which begins with our support of Juneteenth. It is a commemoration of June 19, 1865, the day all enslaved people were finally liberated in the U.S.
Our commitment to promote racial and social equity
1
Hold a day of learning and reflection in all our worldwide offices on Juneteenth (June 19).
2
Formally establish four areas of focus for our practice: Social Impact, Education, Economic Development and Environment.
3
Further embed diversity and inclusion training in all our global and local programs.
4
Continue to embrace our agenda around diversity, equality, and inclusion, launching a global diversity council and investing in ally programs.
We also believe it is important to educate the next generation of professionals to plant the seeds of social responsibility. Diversity of race, ethnicity, religion and gender breaks down barriers of inequity and sews the fabric of a company. This helps forge a better road ahead for any business because it unites different perspectives, ideologies and thought-processes together for stronger decision making. It is a powerful strategy.
Of course, we understand that there are many steps that need to be taken to effectively create lasting change in our society. But if we all commit to improving ourselves first, society will reap the benefits.
It’s not always about dollars and cents. It’s about people, and we are all one FAHM-ily.