EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION
SHARED LANGUAGE
EQUITY: The term “equity” refers to fairness and justice and is distinguished from equality: Whereas equality means providing the same to all, equity means recognizing that we do not all start from the same place and must acknowledge and make adjustments to imbalances. The process is ongoing, requiring us to identify and overcome intentional and unintentional barriers arising from bias or systemic structures. - NACE community
DIVERSITY: Diversity includes all the ways in which people differ, and it encompasses all the different characteristics that make one individual or group different from another. It is all-inclusive and recognizes everyone and every group as part of the diversity that should be valued. A broad definition includes not only race, ethnicity, and gender—the groups that most often come to mind when the term "diversity" is used—but also age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, and physical appearance. It also involves different ideas, perspectives, and values.- Racial Equity tools
INCLUSION: The term “inclusion” is about the collective. It is about creating a culture that strives for equity and embraces, respects, accepts, and values difference. It is sharing power, elevating voices, and including many in the decision making process.
“You do not have to be me in order for us to fight alongside each other. I do not have to be you to recognize that our wars are the same. What we must do is commit ourselves to some future that can include each other and to work toward that future with the particular strengths of our individual identities. And in order for us to do this, we must allow each other our differences at the same time as we recognize our sameness.”
Audre Lorde
Land Acknowledgments
Treaty 7
Shades of Humanity acknowledges that we are work and aim to affect change on lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, comprised of the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations, the Îyâxe Nakoda of Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations, and the TsuuT’ina Nation. We also recognize that the people of Métis Nation Districts 5 & 6 also reside on these lands. We commit to being a learning organization in efforts of reconciliation and decolonization.
Treaty 13
We acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands.
Credit City of Toronto
We support you to become a leader in equity, diversity and inclusion
Over the past 5 years, Canada and the United States shed more light on racism and the experiences of racialized people at work and in their daily lives.
Companies face unprecedented challenges right now, which only underscores the need to ensure Diversity and Inclusion efforts are a tangible force for good and, ultimately, impactful for their business. We know that diverse and equitable workplaces are more productive, have higher retention, and are seen as leaders in their respective industries. We hope to be the ones to help you become a leader in yours.