Amber Cabral - Allies and Advocates: Creating an Inclusive and Equitable Culture

1. Chapter 9

1. Chapter 2
2. Chapter 10

A timely and compelling book with essential guidance on racism and equity. This book contains today's must-have insight on two vital, yet often misunderstood, roles on the road to racial equity: allies and advocates. Highlighting how the unprecedented events of 2020 have further underscored the urgency for equity, Allies and Advocates serves as a roadmap to guide the steps and responsibilities each of us hold toward making racial equity a reality. It is a crucial read for all who seek to embrace anti-racism.

Dr. Lauren R. Powell, National Health Equity Leader, President & CEO, The Equitist

It has been my privilege to have known and worked with Ms. Cabral for several years. The work that it takes to drive inclusion and belonging is not only a mission to change minds but also to change hearts and behaviors. This book is essential not only for those who would like to become more inclusive leaders but also for those who have been enlightened by the events of these turbulent times. There are few people that I have seen as good at Ms. Cabral at understanding what it takes to drive leaders to action on topics that many would find uncomfortable. As leaders, it is our responsibility to do what's best for our organizations but also its employees and their communities. This book provides a step-by-step guide for those who want to take action around D&I but do not know what to do next. That kind of clarity is beneficial regardless of where you are on your D&I journey.

Reginald J. Miller, Global D&I Leader

AMBER CABRAL

Copyright 2021 by Cabral Consulting, LLC. All rights reserved.

Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Published simultaneously in Canada.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is Available:

ISBN 9781119772934 (Hardcover)
ISBN 9781119772958 (ePDF)
ISBN 9781119772941 (ePub)

Cover Design: Paul Mccarthy
Cover Photograph: Danielle Finney
Graphic art design: Malgosia Kostecka of www.illumistories.com

To Rinthe most magical person I know.

You can have whatever you want.

• Amanda Miller Littlejohn for far too many things, but mostly for helping me redefine normal
• Christopher Parker Djordje for your friendship, trust, and patience with my moods
• Aimee L. Strang for leaning in and always feeding the writer
• Dr. Kamasi Hill for checking my knowledge
• Malgosia Koztecka for your incredible illustrations to help bring this content to life
• Jonathan M. Kester, Esq., for your legal mind and forever friendship
• Everyone in the MBK group chat + Theo and Cher Nicholsonthank you for always giving me shelter (both literally and figuratively), cheering me on, and giving me space to celebrate the wins
• Kirstie Perry, RaSheem Barnett, Carey T. Jones, Joshua Spivey, Conrad Woody, and Keila Hill-Trawick for believing in me even when I had doubt
• Pamela and James Estes
• Michelle Baker
• Antonio Cabral

First things first, relax. Put your shoulders down, quiet the anxiety in the pit of your stomach, and take a deep breath. This book is a learning tool. You will meet a lot of challenging and complex information, ideas, and perspectives aimed at helping you figure out how you can move justice and equity forward. The best way to position yourself in context to this material is as a learner in a virtual classroom where you can feel safe bringing your curiosity, showcase your eagerness to learn, and bravely reconsider your existing ideas. This is a safe space, as folks say. This book isn't about shaming or lecturing you to do or be better. Likely if you picked up this book, you already have had some bout with these feelings. These feelings are normal, especially if you are new to this work.

This book is about presenting information to help you figure out your place in what is a very long movement toward equity for oppressed people. Throughout these pages I invite you to do the work to move justice and equity forward. We explore some history for context on why oppression is so deeply entrenched in our identities. We cover language because, as my best friend always likes say, Words mean things. You will understand why some words are triggering for you and put you on the defensive. You will discover that a lot of the behaviors you are doing are flat-out wrong and be armed with the right behaviors to move forward.

For those of you who think you've got it but are looking for ways to check your friends and family, I have a bit of mixed news. You don't have it. No one does. This book will teach you how to get comfortable with that fact and still learn how to maneuver and push allyship and equity forward. So, if you think you've got it and know, settle in; there will be a lot of nods of agreement but likely still many eye-opening perspectives to lean on as you continue on your allyship journey.