The death of George Floyd in 2020 ignited a nationwide movement to address inequities faced by marginalized groups. Companies responded by hiring diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) leaders to reshape their organizations. However, just a few years later, DEI efforts are faltering, with fewer diversity officers being hired and many being laid off. Christie Lindor, CEO of Tessi Consulting, noted that many organizations reacted to social events in 2020 without a clear understanding of DEI. Even well-intentioned companies struggle with addressing racial inequity in the workplace.
In her debut book, FROM ALLY TO ACCOMPLICE: How to Lead as a Fierce Antiracist, DEI coach Seena Hodges, founder and CEO of The Woke Coach, guides business leaders in transforming their organizations into inclusive spaces. Hodges emphasizes the shift from being an ally, who offers support from the sidelines, to becoming an accomplice, who shares in the risk and stands with those oppressed by systemic inequities.
The book is divided into two parts. The first provides an “Antiracism 101” primer, covering the definitions and origins of race, racism, white supremacy culture, and white privilege. The second half offers best practices for antiracist leadership and implementing a “race-first lens” to understand the effects of racial inequality in the workplace. Hodges emphasizes the importance of finding personal connections and motivations for accompliceship, noting that staying engaged with DEI work requires more than just a checklist of tasks.
Overall, FROM ALLY TO ACCOMPLICE is an engaging, accessible manual for change, essential for business leaders committed to racial equality and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of DEI issues. Seena Hodges’s book is an invaluable contribution to the cause of justice.
-Krysta
The Book Report 