Anti-Racism Roadmap for Everyday Action
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ANTI-RACISM ROADMAP FOR EVERYDAY ACTION P A R T O N E OF A FIVE-PART SERIES 03 06 08 10 16 27 30 MATRIX360 STATEMENT Black Lives Matter is not a With the continued display Further, we acknowledge that trend. It is a movement that of police brutality toward the partnerships and coalitions commenced in 2013 to address Black and Indigenous must be led and co-led by the injustice the Black communities, Matrix360 BIPOC people, with the community is facing every day strongly believes we must assistance of non-Black in the social, political, economic stand in solidarity with the people to eradicate racism. realms of society. After an Black and Indigenous We know the solutions will be unjust verdict in the George communities as well as all continuously challenged by Zimmerman trial in the USA, communities affected by the guards of the status quo three Black women Alicia systemic racism. We too are and default culture that Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and frustrated, tired, angry and permeates the inequities. Opal Tometi were tired of disgusted with the However, we stand strong and inaction and formed a coalition deafening silence of our in partnership with the BIPOC and movement to raise Canadian leaders to combat community to evolve our awareness, seek action, and and eradicate racism, this systems and work to end the systematic change. injustice has gone on far too ignorance that breeds racism long. This must be stopped. in our society and workplaces. 3 For two decades, Matrix360 has systematically addressed, built and implemented solutions to dismantle the pillars of inequities and rebuild with equity and care that works for all people. We know that there is a lot more work to be completed. We know that we are not capable of doing this work alone and have built partnerships with leaders and businesses to systematically evolve workplaces, and in turn, Canadian society. We call on you to recognize the power of collective collaboration in order to drive change. Matrix360 firmly believes it is imperative to continue to build, design and implement actionable strategies to inspire progressive change and systematically actionize anti-racist practices. We need to move beyond words, circular conversations, checkbox approaches, fear of affirmative action, and stagnant mindsets that are steeped in inequities. For two decades, our sole mission has remained consistent: to build sustainable and successful businesses that foster equitable workplaces where people embrace a global and inclusive mindset with a focus on the Commercial Real Estate and Development (CRED) Industry. We create and implement concrete solutions and actions to evolve our workplaces where diversity is recognized, equity is embraced, inclusion is celebrated, and belonging is the outcome. The work we do is aligned with working towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, that call to action what business leaders need to implement for progress toward diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging across all parts of society. We have a moral and ethical responsibility to eradicate systematic oppression and racism. The Matrix360 Team 4 I See Colour Oh you don't see colour? How nice for you. I see colour every day. I see it in the way that people look at me, I see it in the comments that people make. I see it in the way it enters a room before I do. I see it in the way it's speaks my worth and place in society, before I can say a word. I see it in the way it tells the story of my ancestors and the injustices they faced. I see it in the bleeding, dying man, lying on cold pavement under his oppressors knees. I see it in every plead for justice each broken State demands, as its requests are tear-gassed and violently hindered. I see it in the life-sentences dished out in response to disproportionate crimes, I see it in the wrongfully convicted brothers and sisters. I see it in the comfortable lives lived by my white friends and allies. I see it in spaces made in the corporate world for the white girl who is just like me, but white. I see it in the ways my mother warns my brother as he leaves the house at night, I see it in the ways my father begs me to not move to the United States. I see it in the eyes of George Floyd and in the limp of Ahmaud Arbery, I see it in the sneers of white supremacists. I see it in the declaration that "all lives matter", when only one is at stake. I see it in the blind optimism that racist ideologies and systematic injustices are in no way as bad as what our grandparents faced. I see it when I ask God "why?" I see colour everywhere I step my feet. Yes, I see colour every time I look at me. princessoforiatta.com Matrix360 would like to recognize the following project partners for contributions, content feedback, and support. Company, Association, and Community Organization contributors: Canadian Association Acceleprise of Urban Financial Ventures Professionals Black Community CEE Centre for Young Action Network, Black Professionals Peel Region Black Gecko Dream Legacy Consulting Foundation Group BOMA Toronto 6 Matrix360 would like to recognize the following project partners for contributions, content feedback, and support. Company, Association, and Community Individual contributors: Organization contributors: Nokuzola Ncube Future Narratives MA Candidate, International Education Policy at Stanford University, Fellow at Resolution Project, Founder at OBD Ventures Global Institute Paul Okundaye for Conscious Management Consultant Economics KDPM Consulting Dr. Beverly-Jean Daniel Group Inc. Lead Consultant, Daniel Consulting Group 7 Racism is the primary thread within a system that was built on holding one race superior and another race inferior. The institutionalization of racism is alive and thrives in our workplaces and society. Understand that by acknowledging this fact, it is imperative that we continue to systematically dismantle the pillars of racism in all forms both locally and globally in robust and consciously intentional actions, while building a system that is rooted in total equality. The work will be challenging for a majority, and will take commitment, dedication, openness, discomfort, active listening and more importantly ACTION to eradicate racism and evolve the system. Our five-part series Anti-Racism Roadmap for Everyday Actions will serve as a resource and guide on what and how leaders can take conscious actions to create concrete steps to eradicate racism in all facets of society. Each part will have cohesive steps, actions, and resourceful links to guide you through education and learning new habits. The intent is to create a foundation for actions, designing and implementing strategies that will continue to recognize that people and equity are the core to thriving societies. It is about unpacking behaviours, thoughts, and habits that stem from biases, stereotypes, prejudice, bigotry and assumptions that limit BIPOC individuals away from decision making tables in workplaces and society. 8 It is about understanding how to create meaningful partnerships and learning how to become an effective and conscious ally to create lasting C change. Being intentional by approaching everything with a curious mind, consistency and a plan to uncover, unlearn and learn with the intent to gain knowledge and insights on information to expand your It is about evolving mindset of living wholeheartedly. your mindsets to tap A into what it means Being responsible for the ownership of your actions as the forefront of your will to succeed in anything you do. Consistently formulating to be human and a steps to create a mindset to achieve and embrace responsibilities. member of the global community. R Consciously operate from a space where active listening, acceptance, positive acknowledgement and understanding are the Our process is steeped in the C.A.R.E. root of each interaction with person(s), place(s) and thing(s). Model designed by Matrix360. The C.A.R.E. Model is purposely centred on human relations and connectivity. E The ability to consciously understand and the acceptance of people’s emotional, mental, physical, spiritual space without Through social science data analysis inflicting judgement and operating from a place of gratitude and and experiential learning techniques, encouragement. we have identified a system that is central to the operating function of people. We forewarn you, it requires you to: Pause, Reflect, Unlearn, Be Uncomfortable, Relearn, Take Action. Finally, remember this will take more than conscious effort, it is about your will to change and progress. 9 Glossary: Terms to Familiarize With Affinity Networks Based on the Employee Resources Group Model, with an intentional focus on frameworks that connect employees to the people managing the organization. The system is based on the investment of emotional, mental and physical commitment from collaboration between executive leadership teams and employee volunteers. Objectives are to systematically build employment processes with social spaces for employees to connect, learn and build with executive leaders; A platform that is directly linked to the internal talent management pipeline and leadership pipeline. Allyship Characterized by relationships with the conscious recognition of the value of the individual(s) or group(s) benefit(s) based on common interests through support, acknowledgement and action. Most often it is displayed through acts of kindness and action. Angel Complex A belief that one is exempt from having to address a particular issue on the basis of either: a subjective perspective dismissing its importance, a lack of awareness of its existence, or deeply held belief that a problem exists only elsewhere and therefore no action is required. Anti-Black Racism “Is prejudice, attitudes, beliefs, stereotyping and discrimination that is directed at people of African descent and is rooted in their unique history and experience of enslavement and its legacy.