Is it D-E-I? E-I-D? J-E-D-I? Or is this really all just a waste of time and a capitalist guise to positively impact the bottom line? Amber and Erika are joined by Corporate HR Specialist and DEI Guru, Diontha Fancher, to unpack the truth behind America’s present obsession with DEI initiatives. Beyond the corny workshops and slogans, we are unpacking DEI’s historical roots, who can and should be doing the work, where the money is flowing, and the silver linings of positivity that can encourage us all. Diontha takes us below the surface to the core frustrations of effectively doing equity work and reminds us why liberation is every person’s job in every space they occupy. Tune in to get the scoop and learn all about why we DEI!

Homework

1. Connect with us on social media and tag three friends who need to do the same!
2. Subscribe to Black Power Media on Twitter.
3. Meet us on Facebook, IG and Twitter and tell us your DEI stories.

Receipts

The Commodification And Capitalization Of The Anti-Racism Industry
Author: Janice Gassam Asare
Date: Aug 9, 2021

The Diversity and Inclusion Industry Has Lost Its Way
Author: Kim Tran
Date: Mar 23, 2021

Diversity wins: How inclusion matters
Authors: Sundiatu Dixon-Fyle, Kevin Dolan, Vivian Hunt, and Sara Prince
Date: May 19, 2020

Peddling the idea that ‘all white people are racist’ for profit
Author: Maureen Callahan
Date: Aug 6, 2020

Sales Of ‘White Fragility’—And Other Anti-Racism Books—Jumped Over 2000% After Protests Began
Author: Jemima McEvoy
Date: Jul 22, 2020

The Hidden Cost of DEI Work—And What to Do about It
Authors:  Andrea J. Rogers and Tiloma Jayasinghe
Date: Aug 5, 2021

Doing the Work at Work What are companies desperate for diversity consultants actually buying?
Author: Bridget Read
Date: May 21, 2021

‘White Fragility’ Is Everywhere. But Does Antiracism Training Work?
Author: Daniel Bergner
Date: Jul 15, 2020

**Diontha Fancher**

Diontha Fancher, SHRM-SCP, is Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at DentaQuest, a purpose-driven oral health care company dedicated to improving the oral health of all. Diontha is a native Texan and earned her B.A. in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Science in Health Care Human Resources from Texas State University.

Diontha joined DentaQuest in 2013, serving as a trusted human resources business partner, while simultaneously championing new initiatives to promote inclusion, build mentorship programs and manage immigration services. Most recently she stepped up to lead the creation of DentaQuest’s first diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) plan, which includes consulting and advising the leadership team, engaging with employee resource groups and leading the strategy for a comprehensive DEI plan aligned with company goals.

Prior to joining DentaQuest, Diontha worked in various human resources roles with St. Jude Medical for seven years.

Outside of work, Diontha is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and has served in numerous volunteer capacities championing diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the Austin, Texas community. Diontha resides in the Austin metro area where she enjoys spending time on her family’s Registered Black Angus ranch, lifting weights and cooking.