For over a decade, I lived in a place where I was a merely checking off some box, black/African/woman/immigrant/college educated etc.  Since then and especially in the last few years, I have come to be more observant of how diverse meetings /workshops /leadership teams /conferences etc  It’s been interesting to see how much we talk about diversity but reality shows its just rhetoric. 

I’m disappointed most times at the total disregard of the matter and little is said to challenge the ever present elephant in the room.  Why aren’t we taking this on?  If you have had a chance to hear the incomparable Graca Machel speak on the dearth of female voices in financial matters, you know she fuels the courage and fighter in you to simply say something.  It’s high time I offer my two cents. 

Everytime I attend meetings, especially regional/global.  Almost each time I think to myself, you are telling me how much you are thinking about and working for diversity. Okay, thank you.  But explain to me why do you have an all male panel?  Why do you have a panel with 8 men and 1 woman, and not a single black person??  Why do you have several panels with no single black person? How do you have over 20 speakers/panelists and only 1 is black???  How do you let this happen?  Are there no qualified women and/or black counterparts to consider?  Was diversity really considered from the start? And as plans were coming together, did you stop to think, wait a minute – something is amiss?!  Do you know diversity and equality go hand-in-hand?

Rwanda strives for equality and diversity, so much so that it is the law.  Must have at least 30% women among staff and we are striving to include everyone regardless of gender or ethnicity in everything.  We have laid the foundation for diversity and our future will be better for it.  Therefore, I know we can do better and MUST do better.  Actions speak much louder than words and sadly diversity isn’t a priority when mere meetings aren’t inclusive.  Walk the talk!  It is only then that we shall believe you are striving for diversity.