Let’s talk DEI….

Let’s Talk About DEI in 2025: From A Black Canadian Perspective.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is at a crossroads in 2025. Across North America, we’re seeing both progress and pushback; hope and hostility. As a Black Canadian man, I’ve experienced firsthand what it means to fight for a seat at the table, to be judged by the tone of my skin before my skills, and to navigate a world that still doesn’t always see my full potential.

While Canada has its own racial challenges, what’s happening in the U.S. right now is absolutely unthinkable. Affirmative action is being rolled back, DEI initiatives are under attack, and states are actively working to erase conversations about race from education, workplaces and culture. Corporations that once championed DEI are now quietly stepping away, afraid of political and legal repercussions.

This isn’t just a U.S. problem; it affects all of us. When a country as influential as the U.S. starts reversing progress, it gives permission for others to do the same. And make no mistake, Canada is not immune to these shifts.

I have worked hard to build my authentic career. I’ve earned my place in leadership, pursued education, and pushed myself to be better every step of the way. But that journey hasn’t been free of racial discrimination.

Weather it’s being overlooked for promotions, doubted despite qualifications, or made to feel like being BIPOC you have to work twice as hard for the same recognition as counterparts. There have been moments where I knew, without a doubt; that my skin color, not my skills, was the deciding factor. And, that harnesses an entire spectrum of emotions and feelings.

In school, I faced biases that made me question my place in academic spaces. Whether it was being underestimated, held to a different standard, or feeling like I had to constantly prove I belonged, these experiences shaped my understanding of how deep systemic racism runs. At times, pushed into a corner and told “you won’t amount anything” or, you just don’t have the “smarts” to meet these requirements and should just do something “with you hands” vs academics. Of course those occurrences framed a mindset that I should simply become a tradesman; which to be honest wasn’t a bad choice but it was external influence through a traumatic philosophical approach.

I know I’m not alone in this. So many BIPOC professionals and students have similar stories, yet the world expects us to “just move on.”

Why I am passionate about BIPOC Advocacy?

This is why I fight for BIPOC voices.

It’s why I speak up about systemic barriers and challenge the status quo. DEI isn’t a trend for me, it’s personal.

1. I believe in breaking cycles of exclusion.
2. I believe in calling out racism in hiring, promotions, and education.
3. I believe in creating spaces where BIPOC individuals don’t just survive, but thrive.
   

In 2025, DEI cannot be a corporate buzzword or an HR checkbox. It must be a commitment; a real, tangible effort to break barriers and uplift those who have been historically silenced.

So, what now? How do we protect and advance DEI in a world that’s pushing back against it?

1. We need leaders who don’t just talk about DEI, but actively implement it and with representation at the top.
2. Decision-makers must reflect the diversity they claim to support and we need to hold institutions accountable. When they fail BIPOC communities, they must answer for it.
3. We need to support and uplift BIPOC talent. That means mentorship, sponsorship, and making sure opportunities reach the people who have been systematically excluded.
4. We need to refuse to let DEI fade into the background. The moment we stop advocating, WE risk losing the progress we’ve fought so hard to make.

As a Black Canadian, I know we still have a long way to go. But I also know that silence is not an option. The attacks on DEI in the U.S. are a warning sign for all of us. We must continue to fight for equity, representation, and justice…

Because if we don’t, who will?

Let’s talk. Let’s challenge. Let’s build a future where our voices are not just heard but respected and valued.

#DEI #BlackExcellence #BIPOCLeadership #EquityMatters #InclusionNow