A Journey Toward Belonging for Everyone
The Power of The BEING Pathway™
When I first arrived in the United States, I was filled with equal parts excitement and apprehension. Everything felt new, unfamiliar, and, at times, isolating. But it didn’t take long for me to realize that I had something valuable to offer: my heritage, my culture, my story.
At my university, I found an opportunity to transform that realization into action. I founded the Islander Cultural Alliance, becoming it’s founding director, and creating a space near the Women’s Center, where students from all backgrounds could come together, celebrate their identities, and find a sense of belonging. It was more than an organization. To me it was a declaration. Walking the halls with pride, knowing that my work was helping other students like myself feel seen, remains one of my proudest achievements.
Later, I had another moment that changed me. A student I’d been coaching came to me after a job interview, devastated. She told me, “I thought I had it, but then they asked about my commitment to diversity and inclusion. I didn’t know what to say.”
This was 2010, a time when questions about diversity and inclusion weren’t yet part of the mainstream conversation. Sitting with her that day, I realized how quickly the world was shifting. Looking back, I can see that I was already doing DEI work, even though I didn’t yet know the term or fully understand the concept.
That realization sparked a fire in me to expand my work beyond the university and into the larger world, eventually leading me to found PowerUp.org, an organization dedicated to bridging the digital divide and empowering marginalized communities.
When DEI Falls Short
Let’s address something head-on: DEI isn’t perfect. Like any tool, its impact depends on how it’s used. There have been documented moments when DEI initiatives have fallen short, unintentionally sidelining and harming certain groups or focusing narrowly on specific dimensions of diversity.
But here’s the thing - when a tool is misused, we shouldn’t discard the tool. We should learn to wield it better.
The purpose of DEI isn’t to divide. It’s to connect. It’s not about prioritizing one group over another. It’s about creating a table big enough for everyone.
When DEI is done thoughtfully, it has the power to transform not just our workplaces, but our entire communities.
The BEING Pathway™: A Guide to Action
To make DEI actionable, I have developed The BEING Pathway™:
Belonging: Foster environments where everyone feels they matter. True belonging begins with listening. Deeply, empathetically, and without judgment.
Education: Equip yourself with knowledge. DEI is not static. It evolves as our understanding of humanity grows.
Inclusion: Go beyond surface-level gestures. Inclusion means removing barriers and creating meaningful opportunities for participation.
Networks: Build connections across differences. When we expand our networks, we expand our understanding and compassion.
Growth: Commit to continuous improvement. DEI isn’t a destination. It’s a journey. Every step forward, no matter how small, matters.
The Bigger Picture of Diversity
“DEI isn’t a destination. It’s how we build a better world together."
Diversity is so much more than race or gender. It is about our abilities, our neurodiversity, our socioeconomic backgrounds, our cultural and religious beliefs, and so much more. Reducing it to a few categories oversimplifies the vastness of our human experience.
Take the critiques about disability being underrepresented in DEI efforts. These aren’t attacks on the idea of DEI. They’re opportunities to strengthen it. Expanding our understanding ensures that no one feels excluded or overlooked.
Why DEI Matters for Everyone
DEI is not about division. It’s about unity. It’s not a political trend or a fleeting corporate initiative. It’s about building a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Research tells us that inclusive environments foster innovation, strengthen organizations, and build resilience. But beyond the data, there’s a deeper truth: DEI reflects the kind of world we want to live in. A world where every person feels they belong.
Our Responsibility and Role in DEI
So, what can you do? Start where you are.
Listen to stories from people whose experiences differ from your own.
Challenge your assumptions and biases.
Speak up when you see exclusion or inequality.
Commit to creating spaces where everyone feels valued and supported.
Remember my student who was worried about the DEI question in her interview? Rest assured, she got the job. And as you can imagine, we both researched DEI heavily to make sure we were ready in the future. Take some time to think about what DEI means to you. Find examples of how you may demonstrate DEI in your life.
This work doesn’t require perfection. It requires a willingness to show up, to learn, and to grow.
A Shared Responsibility
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is more than a framework. It’s a shared responsibility. It’s a call to honor our shared humanity, to build bridges where there are divides, and to create a future where everyone belongs.
This isn’t just work worth doing. It’s work we must do. Let’s travel this path, side by side, together, and make it happen.