Our Commitment to DEI

Together we affirm that every person has the opportunity to reach their full potential. We are committed to creating and cultivating a safe environment where all individuals feel respected and valued equally. We are committed to a nondiscriminatory and anti-racist approach and are committed to dismantling any inequities within our policies, systems, programs and services. 

Our Statement

At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is an integral part of our values and mission.  We recognize, affirm, and celebrate the diverse backgrounds, lives, and experiences of all of our stakeholders, including youth, families, donors, volunteers, and staff. We ensure the opportunity for all voices and perspectives to be heard and honored. In the workplace, we foster an environment where all people can be their best selves. We affirm that every person [regardless of ability, age, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ideology, income, national origin, race or sexual orientation, marital or veteran status] has the opportunity to reach their full potential. We strive to realize the full potential that is within all of us by ensuring that all voices and perspectives are heard and honored.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio believes a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization is one where all employees, volunteers, youth, and families, whatever their race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, education, income, or health condition feels valued and respected. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard.

Find training and educational resources below:

Microaggression

The term microaggression is thrown around a lot lately, but what does it mean? Microaggressions are typically categorized as unintended slights towards a person of a different race, gender, orientation, etc. They can seem like small, off-hand comments, but in reality are offensive and have damaging consequences for the person that hears them. They are borne from an historical issue of systemic and institutionalized racism and underlie greater racial tensions. Microaggressions happen so frequently, they are a daily​ occurrence for people of marginalized communities. Examples:

  • "When I look at you, I don't see race." or "I don't see color. I'm color-blind." This disregards the person's identity, experiences, and historical inequities/injustices.
  • "Where are you from?", "What are you?", or "Your name isn't American." This labels the person as "other", implying they do not belong.
  • "Can I touch your hair?" or "You look so exotic." This objectifies the person and can make them feel powerless, taking away autonomy they have over their own body.
  • "You're great at science for a girl." This implies that females are not successful at STEM careers."
  • "You don't act black." or "You don't look gay." This indicates that there is some "box" that all people of color or those in the LGBTQ community must align with.
People in marginalized populations experience microaggressions constantly. Overtime, these repeated, veiled insults wear on a person and break them down. Victims of microaggressions tend to internalize these messages and often think to themselves "did I hear that person correctly? Am I crazy? Am I being too sensitive? Maybe it's just me." This is a very common reaction to microaggressions. However, you are not alone. It is not okay. And it is a problem. If you experience a microaggression, know that you are not alone, reach out to your support system to discuss your feelings, contact an ally, and be sure to practice self-care.

Implicit Bias

An implicit bias is the unconscious attribution of particular qualities and characteristics (both favorable and unfavorable) to a certain social group or status. Implicit biases are typically formed through experiences or learned associations. These attitudes and stereotypes affect our understanding, actions, and decisions towards these groups in an unconscious manner.

Implicit biases are hidden from the person experiencing them, thus are activated involuntarily without the person's awareness or control. These biases cause us to have feelings and attitudes about other people based on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, age, and appearance.

Implicit biases are pervasive -- everyone has them -- but they do not necessarily line up with one's stated beliefs. The great news is that they can also be gradually unlearned over time.

"Your willingness to examine your own possible biases is an important step in understanding the roots of stereotypes and prejudice in our society. Categories give order to life, and every day, we group other people into categories based on social and other characteristics. This is the foundation of stereotypes, prejudice and, ultimately, discrimination." - Teaching Tolerance

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Click here to Take a Test from Project Implicit to assess your own Implicit Biases. Fifteen tests are available, including Implicit Association Tests (IAT) on age, religion, sexuality, skin tone, race, gender-science, and disability.

​** Please note: encountering your own Implicit Biases can be challenging and upsetting to some. Please keep this in mind before navigating to the Project Implicit site.

 

DEI Terminology

LGBTQ Terminology

Race Terminology

Talking to Your Children About Diversity

Sometimes the most important conversatoins are the hardest to have. We're here to help.

 

​George Floyd. Ahmaud Arbery. Breonna Taylor. What do we tell our children?

Black Pain, Black Joy, and Racist Fear: Supporting Black Children in a Hostile World​

​Here's Why It Hurts When People Say, “All Lives Matter”​

My White Friend Asked Me on Facebook to Explain White Privilege. I Decided to Be Honest

Supporting Young People in the Wake of Violence and Trauma

How to Talk to Your Kids About Racism