Week 49: Inclusion On Purpose ⁠& "Chocolate Mint Nanaimo Bars"

WHY THIS BOOK?⁠

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Ruchika’s book is broken down into looking at the individual behaviours and organizational structures to create inclusive cultures. She has great examples and shares stories of other leaders in this space. If you are an organization who wants to support women of colour you need to read this book. ⁠

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Research from McKinsey says that fully engaging women in the US would add 4.3 Trillion annually to the US economy by 2025. ⁠

Women of Colour will be the majority of working women in the US by 2050. When discussing inclusion we have to look at intersectionality which Kimberle Crenshaw termed in 1989. Even though it was termed in 1989 it wasn't until much later that this term was used in everyday language. ⁠

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She has a great framework on cultivating an inclusive mindset. I love a framework as it helps to communicate my message in an easy succinct way. ⁠

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B= Be Uncomfortable⁠

R=Reflect (on what you don’t know)⁠

I=Invite Feedback⁠

D=Defensiveness doesn’t help⁠

G=Grow from your mistakes⁠

E=Expect that change takes time⁠

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I often talk about being uncomfortable in this work however talking about it and doing it are two different things. One theme that I have seen in many EDI books that I have read is this statement to be uncomfortable. This means you could offend someone and cause harm. It means you will need to apologize and do your own research to understand how to do better. ⁠

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Finally she explains the 4 warning signs of a psychological unsafe culture for women of colour⁠

➡️ Lack of safe mechanism to report bias⁠

➡️ Women of colour are penalized for speaking up⁠

➡️ White women are prioritized about issues that impact their community⁠

➡️ Lack of advocacy for women of colour⁠

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So did I convince you to get this book? Go get this book and if you have read it share some highlights with me. ⁠

Week 48:White Women: Everything You Already Know About Your Own Racism &"Christmas Crack"

WHY THIS BOOK⁠

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Now this book has been getting a lot of attention or maybe just because I have been paying attention to the responses from the media. The New York Post op ed piece headline is ‘White Women’ book that calls all white women racist is a manipulative sham and is focused on the cost of the dinner charging thousands. I think the article misses the whole point of white privilege and how white women uphold this privilege because it benefits us. ⁠

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This book shared how white women time a time again would fall into the category of white anger, white tear and general white fragility. Regina and Saira have hosted many race2dinners and put their findings and conversations into a book. ⁠

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The dinner party rules are the following: a white woman hosts the dinner with Regina and Saira inviting their white women friends because white women love dinner parties. Regina and Saira ask a series of questions like who is racist and who would like to trade places with a black woman? If any white woman cries or gets angry she must leave the table immediately and the host is there to support Regina and Saira. This book is about how us white women benefit from our privilege and by choosing to stay silent it is causing a lot of harm. This book had me reflecting a lot around times I was silent and then embarrassed feeling guilty and then trying to justify why it was ok. Even reading the examples in the book had me thinking “oh s&8t”. ⁠

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What is refreshing about this book is that they call it out and it is uncomfortable and we need to do better. Regina and Saira share a lot of lived experiences on how perfection, silence and white saviours have shown up in their lives. ⁠

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There is a lot of compassion in this book and when I saw another woman in my network reading this book I reached out to her to have a discussion. ⁠

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Every white woman needs to read this book! Go get it. And when emotions come up, journal or talk to another white friend and continue pushing through. ⁠

Week 47: Ginger Molasses Cookie & "Money: A Love Story"

For this week, we have a very special guest reviewer - please welcome Brenda, everyone! @Your3Uniques⁠

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WHY THIS BOOK:⁠

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Money A Love Story helps the reader commit to true financial freedom and manifestation of your most expressed self.⁠

I thought it was so good that I read it twice. And did ALL of the exercises. It's that good.⁠

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A great read if you want to be left feeling empowered about your financial situation. Incorporates spiritual tools to get your finances on track. It has homework at the end of each chapter.⁠

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The book is full of both practical advice, such as how to understand your cash flow, spending habits and the energy of money. The author links our money blocks to beliefs and stories we’ve carried since childhood and how to start changing that narrative. This work is critical for building a life aligned to our values and goals, more open to new job offers, investment opportunities, etc.⁠

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I did ALL the exercises: daily affirmations, explored further book suggestions, meditation, checking my money accounts daily, choosing gratitude every day I looked at my back account statements, and so much more. ⁠

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