Margaret H. Greenberg - The Business of Race: How to Create and Sustain an Antiracist Workplace—And Why it’s Actually Good for Business

Praise for The Business of Race

The issue of race is now a business imperative we can no longer neglect in this century. This book goes beyond making a case on why businesses must understand the economics of race. It equips us with ways organizations can evolve the diversity, equity, and inclusion programs we are used to. This is a book every business leader needs to read slowly and take time to reflect on every chapter.

JANE EGERTON-IDEHEN
Head of Sales, Middle East and Africa at Facebook, and author of Fearless

A practical workbook to help you have hard conversations about raceand drive real systemic change in your workplace.

ADAM GRANT
#1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again,
Wharton professor, and host of the TED podcast WorkLife

This timely book brilliantly unpacks complex concepts such as structural racism and color blindness. Rich with stories and historical perspectives, the authors show how understanding key constructs will transform do nothing policies into courageous DEI conversations and practices that promote health and wealth for individuals, corporations, and society at large.

HELEN RIESS, MD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School,
CEO at Empathetics, Inc., and author of The Empathy Effect

The authors approach of weaving together history, real-life examples, and tangible frameworks make the sometimes-difficult concepts of DEI accessible and engaging. As a DEI practitioner with over 12 years in the field, I knew the events of 2020 would necessitate change in the workthe stories and tools in The Business of Race can be practically applied in the workplace and to personal continuous learning journeys.

MARVIN MENDOZA
Global Head of DEI at PPG Industries Inc.

Margaret Greenberg and Gina Greenlee are right: Now is the time to talk honestly about race in the workplace. This book is just what is needed to help address the hard issues of systemic racism in real and practical ways. Study this book well, make it required reading for everyone in your organization. Your businessand youwill be
better for it.

The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry
Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church
and author of Love Is the Way

The keen analysis and practical solutions Greenberg and Greenlee offer in this remarkable book move the conversation about race in the workplace beyond platitudes and promises and toward genuine understanding and action. The Business of Race is timely, urgent, and essential.

DANIEL H. PINK
#1 New York Times bestselling author of
When, Drive, and To Sell Is Human

Greenberg and Greenlee provide a clean, reader-friendly, theory-based, nonjudgmental, and results-oriented approach to the prickly topic of race in the workplace. With great case examples, anecdotes, frameworks, tools, and reflection questions, The Business of Race is designed to be in the hands of every business leader, manager, DEI professional, and anyone interested in creating an antiracist work environment. It addresses how to align racial identity with work identity. Chapters can be used for leadership briefings, lunch and learns, business resource groups, race dialogue sessions, and workplace antiracist skill training. A must-read book during this time of racial reckoning that supports organizations to be less vulnerable in their brand reputations, strengthen their talent acquisition and retention practices, and increase their capacity for innovation and growth.

DEBORAH L. PLUMMER, PHD
Diversity and Inclusion Thought Leader and author,
Handbook of Diversity Management and Advancing Inclusion

Were all struggling with not only how to constructively talk about race in the workplace but what to do about it. The Business of Race guides you through creating a racially equitable workplace. It should be required reading for all business leaders, no matter their level in an organization.

DAN SCHAWBEL
New York Times bestselling author of Back to Human

Rarely does a book emerge that is so timely, germane and vital to the current conversation around race in the United States. Authors Greenberg and Greenlee, with keen insight and provocation (and humble authenticity about their personal journeys on race), take us through step by step the application of race work. Underpinned by powerful and practical examples and tips, the authors push us to confront and rethink race at work. The Business of Race is a manual for learning and action. It is for current and future DEI practitioners and champions, as well as those who seek to better understand our race challenges, and who truly want to drive change.

TINA KAO MYLON
Chief Talent and Diversity Officer, Schneider Electric
and 2021s Top 100 HR Tech Influencers

I am a white guy; a big corporation successful white guy. Like many people, I dont get it. I dont fully understand this thing called racism. I underestimate it. I under-sympathize. I despise that it exists without even knowing the depth of it.... So what is different here?... What is different here is this is not about help; its about fundamental change. Its about creating change. Its about driving change. Its about owning the outcome. Its about recognizing and then not tolerating racism. In any form, however subtle or disguised. This book is about the compelling case for antiracism as a positive business strategy on many levels from diversifying experiences to broader marketing, to better and deeper talent.... This book clearly makes the case for businesses taking a stance against racism because it is logical and good business. Read the book, broaden your perspective. My eyes are definitely more open. And my engine is running.

KEVIN MCCARTHY
Retired CEO at Unum US

I am in awe when I think about the approach to global change the authors are proposing and how it must be executed in a sustainable and consistent way. Key to making impactful progress is identifying a place to adopt an approach that is process-driven with a measured methodology and an understanding of how to use it. Picking the workplace is like duh, what a natural setting to add an inflection point in the race journey.

ROBERT L. ANDRIS
VP/GM Value Chain SaaS Solutions

As a minority leader at a higher education institution, Im absolutely thrilled about the timely publication of The Business of Race and would like to applaud the two authors boldness in discussing the intricacy and sensitivity around race and racism. The book cites useful data and examples that provide an excellent basis for teaching and research. I plan to use the book to guide myself in my decision-making and to follow the roadmaps and methods described in the book. I will also encourage my faculty to consider adopting the book to help enrich their classroom discussions and to use it as a reference for their research projects.

DR. AMY Z. ZENG
Dean and Professor, Sawyer Business School, Suffolk University Boston

This is not just a book about race in the workplace. This is the essential, indispensable guide to improving the workplace through diversity, equity, and inclusion. It makes a compelling case that diversity is in a businesss own best self-interest, and not just about selfless altruism. It treats the issue holistically, from historical, legal, business, and personal perspectives. And it lays out actions, for us as individuals and as workplace actors, that are necessary to create an antiracist workplace. Its not an easy journey: four hundred years of history cannot be brushed aside overnight. But its a journey we all must undertake. Greenberg and Greenlee show us how.