D & I Has Died

Desmund Adams says diversity & inclusion, as we understand it, has been on its way out for some time. He asserts social responsibility is a deeper, more meaningful benefit of true workforce inclusion and drives corporate profit which currently waits on the other side of traditional D & I. If you’ve gotten this far in exploring the book, you’re likely intrigued by the book’s title. The author did not name the book to elicit a rise out of potential readers. The book is named because of the writer’s years in traditional talent acquisition and, even award-winning work on the D & I side of executive search, has led him to believe there is something more beneficial out there for corporate clients and executive teams. He asserts that the two things that need to be linked are inclusion and profit.

This book is meant to change the paradigm of discourse related to what is currently known as diversity & inclusion. It is the objective to reach the more meaningful socially responsible journey and destination of true inclusion that has always been right around the corner. The author engages in a lively and enlightening read about how diversity & inclusion is perceived by both majority and minority cultures. You may be surprised by insights brought to light by the latest studies. 

The author, Desmund Adams, is a self-made man who comes from humble beginnings in life. He left high school early necessitating a G.E.D. but then turned his life around entering Drake University for an undergraduate degree in education. He would immediately follow that with a Juris Doctor in law, from Drake University Law School. Once he completed his education, he pursued and successfully engaged in a career of talent acquisition. Twenty years in talent acquisition has taught Adams a lesson he intends to use to share wisdom with a greater audience. Adams says clients tend to mean ethnic diversity, gender and orientation when they use the code phrase D & I. Interestingly enough, Caucasian males, Asian’s and Native Americans among others tend to be not included. However, Adams says something more important is on the other side of this debate. He says its inclusion through social responsibility. Surprise, inclusion means African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian American, Native Americans, Women, LGBTQIA and Caucasian Americans and others within the community. Inclusion is what the aim should be but is often missed when companies launch singularity focused diversity & inclusion initiatives.