In case you missed it, ‘Rejoice Ojiaku’ moderated the instructional #SEOchat on Twitter. These tweets are jam-packed with information, yet you could miss them since they arrive and disappear so quickly. I endeavored to collect and cite all of those remarks.
Black people at ALL levels Hiring managers Recruiters SEO events organizers The only way to create true diversity is to have more Black people in the industry
Chima Mmeje
People of colour, and marginalised backgrounds actually in boardrooms, and not just entry level/junior roles. #seochat
Azeem
A1: Listening to ppl’s expertise without mRejoice. How can I respond to your tweets without starting a war on here.aking sure that they have the “right look” first. As SEOs, we know that thought leadership comes from all walks of life.
Sweepsify
I would love to say it’s schools and business’s responsibilities, but unfortunately, the only way they will take the lead is through law. I think we definitely have a responsibility, as a community, to demand diversity and inclusion in all the groups we are in.
Eric
A2: I think that it should start with the universities, colleges, and bootcamps. If you are excluding ppl from the start D&I’s potential impact is very limited from the start.
Sweepsify
A2. I’ll start by saying who should not be championing DEI Black people who just want to do their jobs
Chima Mmeje
A3. Look around the room How many Black people and POCs can you count? This is the first sign of visible impact Collect anonymous feedback from employees but with a focus on BIPOC employees and ask them straight up if they’re happy with DEI policy implementation
Chima Mmej
A3. A big part can be tracked in your Project Management software: who are the folks who touched a strategy? Who was in a given meeting and what came out of it? Who’s speaking and who’s not? #SEOChat
Doug R Thomas, Esq.
I have to add that having conversations like these to show that it’s comfortable to speak about these things to see the changes happening!
Nicole Ponce
100% E.g Presenter says “Here’s a slide of a study done in 2004 about bias in the workplace” – ISSA whole pandemic! – update those references Joking aside – they’re done once a yr, if that, & they lack impact because feedback is never acted upon. Tick box exercise.
Azeem
A4. I can’t speak for the training, but I think the concept is still extraordinarily useful to bake into things. You don’t know what you don’t know, and you don’t see the things that are obvious to others. It’s big for managers – what are we doing that’s showing bias?
Doug R Thomas, Esq.
Rejoice. How can I respond to your tweets without starting a war on here.
Iman (I don’t tweet about SEO
Honest answer – 80% yes / 20% no. IMO, that 20% is made up of gatekeepers and dinosaurs who hold and take up space that others may benefit from, and have prehistoric views on the industry and society. There’s enough space for us ALL, holding us back isn’t the answer.
Azeem
Q6. No, they don’t I say this from my personal experienc. The SEO industry talks a big game but are not willing to do the hardwork of: Funding Training Inclusion Access You fight hard to get the tiniest bit of support for community projects and it’s disappointing
Chima Mmeje
A7. Remove any requirements that have nothing to do with the job – e.g. degrees. Strip names from resumes before they go to the hiring manager. Ban the box, at least internally. Actively ask folks opinions on projects.
Doug R Thomas, Esq.
Actively hire diversity, that’s it. Make it your business to know diversity. Make it your business to find diversity. They are everywhere. The only thing holding diversity back is systemic racism and the inherent bias that too many people still have. Stop making excuses.
Iman (I don’t tweet about SEO)
Single or Double blind interview process i think are good. Im not sure why its never taken off tbh.
Jon Butters
yes!! #SEOchat we shouldn’t assume what people should know or not know, it’s better to be aware than to harm someone without the intentions to do so.
Nicole Ponce
Yes. Simply because we are diverse and white folks are not as integrative as we are. Mostly at least. Also if anyone does this get diversity to do it. It may help bridge the unspoken chasm between us, I hope so.
Iman (I don’t tweet about SEO)
A8. This feels like an obvious yes. We have to work with people who are different than us every day. Being aware of how to communicate well requires knowing other cultures and values. #SEOchat
Eric
I sure do hope so and I’m always asking not just myself but the community, how can I help, what can we do, because this is something so important to us, we want to be a part of the change, and that’s an unwritten mission I have!
Nicole Ponce
I talk about DE&I whenever it comes up. I never shy away from it. If there is something constructive I can do, I do it. I don’t think I do enough. I don’t think I ever will but I will actively do more and try to be the change I want to see.
Iman (I don’t tweet about SEO)
Find a mission-led organization doing work that aligns with your beliefs and first lead with the question How can I help? Be ready to donate money, time and use your platform to advocate for this cause
Chima Mmeje
@glossier usually does a FAB way to show the beauty in everyone
Nicole Ponce
A10: Not really a campaign but I loved Humans of NY
Sweepsify
I genuinely hope you found this summary beneficial. If you missed last week’s #SEOchat, you can find it here.