Bravery over Brilliance

We’re an organization that is on a journey to become more antiracist. We’ve been doing the expected things: reading books as a team, holding weekly space for discussion, partnering with an external Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) consultant, taking implicit bias tests. But I’m learning that while we’re growing in our intellectual education around topics of systemic oppression and structural racism, I don’t think we’re making as much progress in embracing the discomfort of making mistakes and getting it “wrong” in front of each other. It’s no problem to do a deep-dive into all the books and resources, but when it comes to saying that thing that might recast my own reputation with hues of ignorance and complicity, it’s easier to stop short.

Ibram Kendi, the author of How to Be an Antiracist, says that it is self-interest, not ignorance, that perpetuates racism and maintains the power of white supremacy. As a leader at Uncharted, I realize I have more to do to model this vulnerable, open-hearted behavior, and I’m curious to learn from others who have navigated this similar stage on their DEI journeys.