Belonging Toolkit
The Belonging Toolkit promotes belonging as the foundation of inclusion and equity. It includes a range of materials such as articles, research digests, videos, visual tools, and frameworks.
This comprehensive collection of resources reflects fifteen years of rigorous research, analysis, and practice. By subscribing to this toolkit, you will gain exclusive access to exceptional resources, detailed equity explainers, innovative insights, how-to videos, and more.
Plants Boost Belonging—Here’s how!
Through my research, I discovered that several recent studies prove that having access to green space, or being in close proximity to plant life, can significantly improve our well-being. Being near plants has a calming effect on humans during times of stress, and can even encourage us to connect with others.
Gen Z Push for More Belonging at Work
I had a great discussion about equity with career expert Brien Convery on his podcast, Coffee With Convery. In the conversation, wediscussed the pivotal moments that led to the creation of my equity firm. I shared my 4-D Model of Neuro-inclusive Communication and other ways to advocate for inclusivity in teams, organizations, and communities.
How Belonging Helps Us Spot Unhealthy Cultures
This resource explores cultural archetypes and categorizes cultures based on their attitudes toward individual authenticity and group affiliation. I outline four archetypes. By examining the characteristics of each archetype and their implications in different cultural contexts, professionals can gain insights into creating inclusive environments that respect differences while upholding common values.
The DCBA Chart: How to Promote Belonging while Decision-Making
Discover the innovative DCBA Process, an equit tool to promote collaboration and consensus-building among team members. Learn how this powerful resource can enhance engagement, foster innovation, and optimize the utilization of time and resources within organizations.
The R.O.C.K. Pose: How Shifts in Body Language Improve Communication
This article sheds light on the importance of body language and how it impacts the perception of Neurodivergent women, Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color, and LGBTQ+ individuals while speaking in public. The R.O.C.K. Pose is a body-based awareness practice that can assist people in improving their posture, confidence, and overall presence.
Why More People Choose Not to Disclose Identities. It’s Not What You Think.
We live in an era of information and identity pressure. Social media, political fracturing, and economic upheaval tend to facilitate division. Despite the hypervisibility of identity and cultural clashes, It is important to acknowledge that individuals who may have non-apparent identities, such as People of Color who pass as white, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those who are Neurodivergent, may choose not to disclose their identities or may be hesitant to do so.
Barriers to Belonging for Neurodivergent People
Multiple studies have highlighted the challenges and disparities faced by Neurodivergent women, People of Color, and LGBTQ+ individuals in accessing appropriate services and support, both in childhood and adulthood. Here is…
How Educators Improve Belonging
Tune in to this thought-provoking podcast episode featuring a conversation between myself and Jonathan Lee, founder of Bridging Legacies Across Campus (BLAC). We discuss the challenges faced by students of color in the U.S. education system, equity leadership, and the advocacy for Neuro-inclusion.
How Leaders Generate Approachability
Discover the secrets to gaining the trust of your team and learn key strategies and tactics that successful leaders use to inspire, motivate, and engage their teams. Trust is a critical element in building strong teams and achieving organizational success. Don't miss out on this valuable information!
How to Increase Engagement during Strategy Sessions
When we are presented with too many options, it is common to feel overwhelmed and experience decision fatigue. This can lead to impulsive decisions or avoiding making a decision altogether. To help our brains cope with the overwhelming number of decisions we face daily, we use heuristics, which are neural shortcuts.
We all Get Triggered. Here’s How to Stay Calm and Present
Stress can be a challenging and overwhelming experience, particularly for marginalized groups who face it on a regular basis. While many stress management approaches focus on the mind, the S.N.A.P.S. method takes a body-based approach to help individuals navigate stressful situations. Read on to learn more about the S.N.A.P.S. method and how it can help you manage stress.
How to Improve Communication within Diverse Workplaces
I have developed a neuro-inclusive communication framework named "The 4-D Model of Neuro-Inclusive Communication". This model emphasizes four key elements - being direct, deliberate, descriptive, and diverse in communicating strategies. We can cultivate more prosperous and neuro-inclusive cultures by adopting these communication practices.
Why the Holidays Stress us out, and how to prepare beforehand
As we approach the holiday season in the Global North, it is important to acknowledge that this time of year (mid-October to January) can be stressful and overwhelming for many people, especially for those who are Neurodivergent and benefit from routine and controlled environments. In this blog, I offer some adaptive strategies to calm our minds and bodies.
Neurodivergent Students of Color Hate School. We can change that
American schools must prioritize supporting the growing population of racially and neurodiverse students. Studies show that teachers fail to identify Neurodiverse factors in Black and Latino/a/e children compared to other children. Learn how to create an affirming school culture that affirms the needs of all students.
How to Make Space for Grief at Work—without causing problems
As leaders, showing up for your community and providing a safe and supportive environment for everyone to grieve and express their emotions is crucial. This blog offers a step-by-step guide to creating an affirming space for healing and processing after upsetting events or news. Leaders who take steps to meet the holistic needs of their teams enjoy higher morale, team cohesion, and trust.
Examples of anti-Neurodivergent Prejudice within Schools
This video describes multiple instances of institutional bias against neurodivergent individuals and ways to overcome it. It can be challenging to identify subtle anti-neurodivergent attitudes, as ableism and neuro-normative beliefs are deeply ingrained in many cultures. However, with practice and attention, it is possible to recognize and challenge such sentiments.
Why Smart Leaders are Investing in Neuro-inclusive Practices
In today's rapidly evolving global marketplace, businesses continually seek ways to gain a competitive edge. While many have turned to technology and innovative marketing strategies to outpace their competitors, an often overlooked but equally crucial factor is the diversity and inclusivity of a company's workforce. More specifically, neurodiversity in the workplace has become a hot topic of discussion.
How to Restore Belonging after Harm-The Right Way
In this short video, I present a simple yet proven method to address a group when trust has been broken. This method is useful for small, medium, or large groups where trust is important. When trust is broken, it not only disrupts the session, but if the response is inappropriate, it can cause long-term discord. It is important to respond promptly and strategically. This video provides a framework for how to do so.
This Popular Belonging Practice is Having the Opposite Effect
Affinity groups are often cited as evidence of a company's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, but their effectiveness can be limited by several factors. Read on to learn what the top four limitations are for affinity groups within workplaces.
What to Know about Gender Safety and How to Generate It
I illustrate how anti-gender expression laws impact Trans and gender-divergent people and offer strategies to protect and affirm their psychosocial needs within workplaces.