DEI Resources 2024

Welcome to our DEI Resource Page

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Maya Angelou

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

Assistance League Minneapolis/St. Paul is committed to cultural competence and humility and to developing practices that promote anti-racism, inclusion and equity for all. We are actively pursuing greater diversity and inclusion with our community partners, member volunteers, and other stakeholder groups.

At Assistance League we believe the path to “knowing better” is through continuous learning. The purpose of this Resource Page is to provide suggested books, podcasts, movies, etc. to improve our cultural literacy and broaden our understanding of those whose cultures and lived experiences differ from our own.

As outlined in our 2022 – 2026 Strategic Plan, we are integrating DEI initiatives into all aspects of our organization. Some examples of our efforts include:

Utilizing diverse vendors
Implementing more flexible member expectations
Providing program literature in multiple languages
Maintaining a diverse Advisory Council
Providing culturally appropriate food and clothing for students.
Hosting educational speakers
Board engagement in DEI assessment and training
Planning educational social events
Holding DEI Book club discussions
Promoting Equity and Inclusion through the grants we award and the community needs we choose to fund.

Our learning continues as we seek to practice inclusive behaviors, respect differences and embrace all of the ways people are unique.

Our chapter DEI Coordinators welcome your input. Please contact DEI@assistanceleaguemsp.org with any thoughts, ideas or questions.

Definition of Terms: To encourage productive conversations, we’ve included the following glossary of terms from our DEI statement and others that are heard frequently in DEI education.

Anti-Racism – an active process identifying and opposing racism and promoting racial equality throughout society.

Belonging – the desired outcome of diversity, equity and inclusion whereby all persons feel comfort, connection and acceptance in a setting.

Cultural Competency – the ability to understand, communicate with and effectively interact with people across cultures; it includes the ongoing awareness of one’s own world view and development of positive attitudes towards cultural differences.

Cultural Humility – a humble and respectful attitude towards people of other cultures that pushes you to challenge your own cultural biases; recognition that learning about other cultures is a lifelong goal and process.

Diversity – the representation of various identities and differences of peoples in a group; diversity includes race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, religion, nationality, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. Diversity exists amongst persons in a group.

Equity – a focus on fair treatment, equal opportunity and equal access to resources for all persons; it recognizes the existence of advantages for some and barriers for others and works to level the playing field.

Implicit Bias – subconscious thoughts, beliefs, and stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions regarding others in an unconscious way.

Inclusion – active engagement of the contributions and participation of all people, enabling all persons to feel valued, leveraged and welcomed within a given setting.

Microaggressions – subtle, often unintentional verbal or behavioral expressions of prejudice, bias or insensitivity towards persons from different races, cultures, beliefs or genders from our own.