fbpx
Breakdown of an Equity, Diversity, inclusion and Belonging budget

Breakdown of an Equity, Diversity, inclusion and Belonging budget

When you are making organizational cultural shifts with systemic change steeped deep in equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging, you require a budget line to go along with it. As with HR, EDIB is not meant to be an expense item but rather an investment and an asset for the organization.

EDIB budgets need line items for the following (it is not exhaustive):

  •  Staff
  • A manager and coordinator, depending on the size of the organization
  • Training budget
  • Some of this needs to be controlled by this team while team-based training is a part of the team budget
  • Gift cards/gifts for participation in activities
  • Honorarium amounts for the EDIB committee
  • Resources
  • Creating a resource that is accessible to staff for their ongoing learning
  • Event budgets to host speakers and dialogues 

We would love to know what you include in your EDIB budget!

The Truth has come out, now where are we on Reconciliation

The Truth has come out, now where are we on Reconciliation

The Truth has come out, now where are we on Reconciliation

Last week, the news of  Indigenous children being found buried at the Kamloops Residential School sent waves of shock, despair, pain, trauma, grief, disgust, rage, sadness and other emotions undesirable and unmeasurable. Atrocities and genocide against Indigenous communities have taken place systematically across Turtle Island (North America). Indigenous communities continue to be impacted by colonialism today. Here in Canada, there is a real focus on Indigenous reconciliation. In the US however, it is not the same in terms of Residential schools but we know that other atrocities have taken place. Many of you who are in the US will know someone who is still impacted by these events, and the same goes for those of you who are in Canada. Please read below for information on how you can support.

I, Manpreet, am from Kamloops and was born and raised there. I went to school with others who had relatives who were taken away from their families and put into the Residential schools. My immigrant family has benefited and prospered on the very lands that surround where these children were found. I visited the Residential School for an Indigenous cultural experience when I was in elementary school. I personally didn’t learn about residential schools until I was volunteering in Botswana in 2009, where a group of Canadians were asked about the benefits of residential schools. I sat there and looked around the room where the cringing was apparent. I quickly researched on my phone what they were so I could take away from the conversation what I needed to know. I was appalled that I didn’t know anything about them as the entire concept is built on genocide and it happened here in Canada from 1876 -1996. There are still survivors amongst us who live with the horrors of being taken away from their families, from various types of abuse, having their culture beaten out of them and told that their culture needed to be erased and so much more. 

Just imagine communities where all the children were taken away: a community where there is no play, parents are traumatized and grandparents/elders have no one to pass their knowledge/language and wisdom to. 

This is how the genocide happened. Genocide defined in Oxford dictionary: “the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group with the aim of destroying that nation or group”

It was the fact that it was confirmed that these “missing” children were treated inhumanely and did not have a proper burial or honoring of their sweet innocence. It was the fact that these hideous acts have happened and approximately 5% of the population of Canada is impacted directly or indirectly by gut wrenching atrocities at the Residential Schools. 

Ninety-five percent of the population lives on the unceded and ancestral lands of Indigenous peoples, we settled here without permission or an invitation so it is important that the 95% do their part in moving forward the Reconciliation. 

So what can you do to help with the reconciliation:

  1. Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action. Be aware of all the places you can contribute to reconciliation. 
  2. In the workplace, Focus on Call to Action 92: 

Business and Reconciliation 92. 

We call upon the corporate sector in Canada to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a reconciliation framework and to apply its principles, norms, and standards to corporate policy and core operational activities involving Indigenous peoples and their lands and resources. This would include, but not be limited to, the following: 

i. Commit to meaningful consultation, building respectful relationships, and obtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous peoples before proceeding with economic development projects.

ii. Ensure that Aboriginal peoples have equitable access to jobs, training, and education opportunities in the corporate sector, and that Aboriginal communities gain long-term sustainable benefits from economic development projects. 

iii. Provide education for management and staff on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. This will require skills based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.

  1. Build partnerships with Indigenous Organizations for hiring such as Indigenous Works
  2. Work with Indigenous suppliers and have targets (Canadian Aboriginal Council for Business has great resources)
  3. Know how to do Land Acknowledgements – whoseland or Native Land
  4. Read books by Indigenous authors and about Residential Schools. Here is one source  but there are many other Stronger Nations. One of my favorite books: Bob Joseph21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act 
  5. Collective grief and trauma is activated so create space for people to heal.Trauma and grief impact people in different ways. Give them the space in the workplace by acknowledging this is in meetings and giving people an opportunity to ask for what they need. 
  6. Encourage team members to wear Orange Shirt this week in support of “Every Child Matters” Campaign usually on September 29th to honor the children of residential schools
  7. Provide counseling support reminders and here are a few for Canada

• First Nations Health Authority – Mental Health Benefit

• Indian Residential School Survivors Society – 24 Hour Crisis Line

• KUU-US Crisis Line Society – 24 Hour Crisis Line (British Columbia)

• Métis Nation BC – Mental Health Services 

If you need any additional support or guidance, please feel free to reach out to me at manpreet@vezaglobal.com

Supporting the emotions of team members of cultural backgrounds

Some of your team members from cultural backgrounds may be experiencing an added layer of emotion as they may remember past experiences or ancestral experiences. As manager, you can support them in a few different ways as listed in the video.


If you are interested in exploring what else you can do for your team right now, we can schedule a complimentary call to support you. Please schedule it here: https://bit.ly/3bUiNGo.

Intentional Goal Setting for 2020

Intentional Goal Setting for 2020

As we set off in the new year (and new decade), many of us are in the reflection and goal setting mode. We are looking at what our life was like over the past year and what we want to create now.

However, we can often get distracted from what we truly need when setting our goals. Even when we are using a great methodology (think SMART goals), we might end up reaching externally, focusing on things that will bring validation, or ignoring our inner wisdom in favour of what we THINK we should do. Or for some of us, what we think others want us to do. 

To get yourself on track for being your best self and doing your best work, you need to tune in to all aspects of your life. Examine your blindspots. See where you are out of balance. Understand why you want what you want and ask whether that is in service of who you are becoming.

We use the Veza Wheel of Life with our coaching clients to support them in this reflection. Download it and mark it up based on the level of alignment and satisfaction you have in each area of your life. Not only will it give you a benchmark for how you are starting this year, it will show you the areas of your life you have been neglecting. We recommend setting inspired actions or goals around the three lowest scoring areas, so you can bring balance to your life. After completing this exercise, you can begin your annual goal setting from a place of understanding what you truly need to grow.

Wishing you on one of the most creative, fun, abundant, loving years of your life.

Want to set 2020 up to be a year of alignment and growth? Join us for our free webinar 2020 Vision: Creating Aligned Goals for the New Year on January 8th to get coached through your visioning process. Attendees will also receive a free copy of our Goal Setting Guide (usually exclusive to our coaching clients).

Veza Leaders to Watch: Samanah Duran

Veza Leaders to Watch: Samanah Duran

At Veza, we honour the work of inspiring leaders every single day. Not just the known and notable but rather, everyday women who are drawing upon and celebrating their culture while making a lasting difference in their community using their gifts. From authors and teachers, CEOs to entrepreneurs, not-for-profit directors, artists, and more, these women are changing the face of leadership.

These are truly women to watch and Veza Community is so pleased to share their brilliance.

May their stories inspire YOU to rise.

Meet Samanah Duran

Samanah Duran is a British fashion designer and entrepreneur most recently named Forbes 30 under 30 most influential in retail and e-commerce. Her fierce emphasis on inspiring each individual to embrace their identity and to take pride in their individuality is perfectly presented in her vision for an innovative clothing line with Critics Clothing, which was revolutionised through the crafting of indulgent streetwear with the power to evoke self-expression.

Building on that inspiration as an extension of Critics Clothing, Samanah has now successfully launched BEYOUROWN and BEYOUROWN MAN a digital media & news company dedicated to inspire and champion entrepreneurs on a mission to lead.

Samanah is truly dedicated to evolving her brand and team. She has developed an unconventional approach to business by enjoying life to the fullest and making business enjoyable for her and whoever she works with. As she continues to be involved in every aspect of Critics Clothing, BEYOUROWN and BEYOUROWN MAN, she loves to meet other inspiring entrepreneurs out there on a mission to also succeed in doing what they love and is passionate about passing on her entrepreneurial skills that she has learned along the way.

Tell me in 100 words who you are? How would you describe yourself.

I am Samanah Duran, I was born in Cambridge but I grew up in a small town in Lincolnshire back in the UK. I am the founder and CEO of both retail company Critics Clothing, and BEYOUROWN, which is a digital media & news company dedicated to inspiring women in business.

What is the name of your company?

Critics Clothing & BEYOUROWN

What motivates/inspires you to get up each morning?

What motivates me is watching other others flourish and grow. I get a real satisfaction out of knowing that the work I do really inspires and empowers other entrepreneurs to continue down their own path of uniqueness towards achieving their own version of success.

What contribution are you most proud of to date?

So far, I enjoy helping others navigate their way through their business journey although there is still so many more contributions I could be making that could essentially help pioneer global changes within certain industry fields.

What is it that you feel that you teach others through how you act/show up each day?

I encourage others to remain true to who they are whilst doing what they really love. That is my own personal brand ethos that I stand by and really try to reflect.

What’s one change you would like to see in this world?

More humanity.

Find her on Instagram

If you know a leader we should feature please invite her to share her story with us here.

Veza Leaders to Watch: Keshia Rice

Veza Leaders to Watch: Keshia Rice

At Veza, we honour the work of inspiring leaders every single day. Not just the known and notable but rather, everyday women who are drawing upon and celebrating their culture while making a lasting difference in their community using their gifts. From authors and teachers, CEOs to entrepreneurs, not-for-profit directors, artists, and more, these women are changing the face of leadership.

These are truly women to watch and Veza Community is so pleased to share their brilliance.

May their stories inspire YOU to rise.

Meet Keshia Rice

Keshia Rice is a dating coach and two-time Emmy-nominated journalist. As a coach, Keshia helps successful, Christian women learn how to attract quality men without compromising their values, identity, or sanity.

As the daughter, sister, and niece of preachers, Keshia understands what it’s like as a Christian woman to balance a conservative upbringing with modern hookup culture. And like many women in the corporate world, Keshia knows the challenges of being ambitious while maintaining your femininity.

She has written for Thrive Global, and mentors young women on success and developing healthy relationships.

Keshia and her husband live in Atlanta, Georgia. When she’s not coaching or producing TV newscasts, Keshia loves to travel. She’s been to several states, and ten countries.

Tell me in 100 words who you are? How would you describe yourself.

I’m a dating coach for corporate/entrepreneurial, Christian women. I help women find their purpose partner by mixing spirituality and psychology to showing them how to heal their toxic past, show their value, and gain to confidence to attract a Godly man who’ll Cherish them. I’m also a newlywed, world-traveler, and two-time Emmy-nominated journalist.

What is the name of your company?

Keshia Rice

What motivates/inspires you to get up each morning?

I was hurt deeply by relationships in the past. I’m motivated to reach millions of women, and be the woman I so desperately needed in my life during that period.

What contribution are you most proud of to date?

Seeing clients with a history of abusive relationships finally attract healthy love.

What is it that you feel that you teach others through how you act/show up each day?

Confidence. Femininity. Self-Love.

What’s one change you would like to see in this world?

I need to see more women find their voices and demand to be treated better. There’s a whole generation of younger girls watching us, and I don’t want them to deal with the same hurt as us.

Find her on Instagram

If you know a leader we should feature please invite her to share her story with us here.

UA-49958673-5