Diversity Be Like...Allies and Advocates

Show Notes

About Our Guest

AMBER CABRAL
Author, Diversity Strategist

A people passionate, idea-generating, strategist, Amber Cabral develops inclusive leaders and cultivates diverse and equitable cultures for Fortune 500 Organizations with as much as $50B in sales and small 5-person organizations. She also helps innovative start-up CEOs and non-profit Executive Directors with operations fundamentals and business strategy to maximize efficiency, organization, and productivity. She is the author of the book Allies and Advocates: Creating an Inclusive and Equitable Culture, which can be found on Amazon.

3 Key Points

1. Sequoia and Amber discuss if race does not matter, why not take it out from applications and other vital forms?
    
2. Listeners will get to know Amber’s view on the topic “What would you say to a business leader who wants to stand in solitary and marginalized communities and does not know where to start?”
    
3. Amber is doing diversity and inclusion work for the past 20 years. She shares her viewpoint on - Since starting her business, what are the positive changes she has witnessed over the years?
    

Episode Highlights:

• Amber gives a power-packed introduction and talks about the multitude of experiences she has.
   
• Be it working with one of the world's largest company Walmart to her honorary associations as Chair of Brown Girls Do Ballet®, she shares insights on her journey so far. 
   
• When it comes to the operational definition of Amber's work, her take on ‘Bias’ is that it is non-stop, which can be tagged as a preference inclination or prejudice.
   
• She stresses that Bias is something that happens all the time; it is not bad instead, it is what people do. 
   
• Amber gives an excellent example about how at times, bias can be a good thing.
   
• She adds that it is important to note that “What actions you take as a result of the bias that goes on in your life?”
   
• Sequoia upped the bar by asking the next question, “How do you define culture?”
   
• Amber explains that when it comes to culture, it is about “What do people say about the experience of being at a place?” 
   
• She further adds that “You are not smart about all the things, so when you are learning it is helps to have a straightforward ways of thinking.”
   
• Next, Sequoia asks Amber to share her views on Allies and Advocates, also enquired whether they are the same thing?
   
• Amber denies the similarity and explains that Allies are those who have taken out the time to think about their privileges and show empathy towards others. 
   
• On the other hand, Advocacy’s take on privilege and power is different, it is about challenging and dismantling the system.
   
• Sequoia askes, “Currently on this journey, where do you think we are?” “Are we at tolerance, understanding acceptance or celebration?”
   
• Amber answers that she sees that people are moving beyond ‘Tolerance’ and inclining more towards ‘Awareness’.
   
• Sequoia points out that several companies want to take a stand on the important issue related to racial discrimination or justice at present. 
   
• Amber beautifully explains the importance of working on key issues to gain an impact.
   
• Sequoia shares some funny personal experiences and asks a related question, “What can employees do to help an organization make inclusion actionable?” “What can leaders do to support employees who want to have this conversation?”
   
• Many times, folks don’t know what you need unless they see what is coming at them. 
   
• Amber talks about how policies about inclusion, diversity, and equality are important in organizations.
   
• The host asks, “What do you want your book’s last thing legacy to be?” Amber talks about her idea to write a simple and accessible book and not sound too complicated.
   

Tweetable Quotes:

• “It is not bias or stereotype, but it is all about what you do” - Sequoia Houston
   
• “Allyship is more about the people whereas, and Advocacy is more about the system” - Amber Cabral
   
• “It’s human nature to categories, so removing a specific category from a form does not solve any problem.” - Amber Cabral
   
• “The biggest thing that an organization can do if they want to make an impact – it is to know what the impact is. If it is not allyship, then what is the outcome or impact that you want?” - Amber Cabral
   
• “Everybody is seen doing a good job, but the important question is - Are you also making an impact?” - Amber Cabral

Resources Mentioned:

Amber Cabral: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Website