Elevate Your Expertise with our Resources

Our Neurodivergent and Gender-affirming Resources help you practice leadership and organizational best practices. Explore our free identity-affirming frameworks, writings, and how-to-guides.



Why More People Choose Not to Disclose Identities. It’s Not What You Think.
Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them) Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them)

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.

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Barriers for Neurodivergent Leaders: What You Need to Know.
Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them) Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them)

Barriers for Neurodivergent Leaders: What You Need to Know.

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…

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How Educators Improve Belonging
Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them) Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them)

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.

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How Leaders Generate Approachability
Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them) Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them)

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!

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How to Increase Engagement during Strategy Sessions
Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them) Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them)

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.

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We all Get Triggered. Here’s How to Stay Calm and Present
Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them) Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them)

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.

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Embracing Neuro-Inclusive Communication: The 4-D Model for a More Inclusive Workplace
Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them) Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them)

Embracing Neuro-Inclusive Communication: The 4-D Model for a More Inclusive Workplace

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.

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Why the Holidays Stress us out, and how to prepare beforehand
Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them) Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them)

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.

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Neurodivergent Students of Color Hate School. We can change that
Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them) Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them)

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.

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How to Make Space for Grief at Work—without causing problems
Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them) Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them)

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.

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This Popular Belonging Practice is Having the Opposite Effect
Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them) Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them)

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.

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Exploring Intersectionality with The DEI After 5 Podcast
Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them) Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them)

Exploring Intersectionality with The DEI After 5 Podcast

Speaking with the DEI After 5 Podcast about the intersections of being Black American, Non-binary, and Neurodivergent as an equity worker. If you want to hear more, check out the short podcast episode. Thank you to the DEI After 5 Podcast team for having me!

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Beyond Allyship: Embracing the Challenger Model to Generate Safety and Accountability
Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them) Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them)

Beyond Allyship: Embracing the Challenger Model to Generate Safety and Accountability

The Challenger Model is a newly developed framework that focuses on the experiences of those who are harmed or wronged rather than prioritizing the perspectives of their allies. This model provides a strategic approach to promoting positive justice and generating safety through ongoing relationship-centered organizing efforts.

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How to Build Resilient Teams During a Crisis
Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them) Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them)

How to Build Resilient Teams During a Crisis

In this blog post, we will be discussing the Commitment Continuum framework. This framework aims to help individuals understand how they can contribute to meeting the needs of others in a non-hierarchical, continuous process. By recognizing the core needs of safety, dignity, power, belonging, mastery, and purpose, individuals can create lasting positive change and build a more supportive and positive environment.

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How to Explain Belonging for Beginners
Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them) Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them)

How to Explain Belonging for Beginners

The Elements of Equity is a tool for achieving inclusion by meeting core human needs through aligned expectations. It acknowledges that our experiences are shaped by environmental conditions and that equity is essential for inclusion. By focusing on the environment and identifying and eliminating barriers, we can create a more equitable and inclusive culture.

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Empowering Ourselves: Strategies for Knowing When (and How) to Speak Up
Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them) Chris D. Hooten, M.A. (they/them)

Empowering Ourselves: Strategies for Knowing When (and How) to Speak Up

According to a well-known idiom, the best time to plant a tree was years ago. The second best time is right now. This truism has much wisdom, especially regarding how to respond to harm or injustice. However, it can be daunting to do so as the harm takes place. Emotions may be high, and we may feel unsure or unprepared. Even if we want to counter harm, how can we be sure what to do?

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