An Essay on Diversity
We are in the midst of the most turbulent of times, and as I write to you it is hard to know where to begin – the crisis of the pandemic, months spent in lockdown, the impact on business, and then the unspeakable acts of racial injustice which sparked a movement. It signals a turning point, a moment for change and I, like so many of you, have been thinking about diversity, inclusivity, and how to make a difference. This is our essay on diversity.
It is an issue that I hold particularly close to my heart. To share a personal story, my son Thomas was diagnosed very early on with low-functioning autism and an intellectual disability, both lifelong conditions. In essence, that means he presents with no literacy or numeracy skills and requires consistent 24-hour care. This care provides us both with a tremendous amount of joy and so many wonderful opportunities for connection, we have the most incredible bond, however it also creates challenges and a tremendous amount of vulnerability.
Initially, we struggled to find a place for Thomas to go to school due to the lack of resources in Australia for children that are on the lower functioning side of the autism spectrum. We were incredibly lucky to be accepted at Giant Steps, a community school that provides rich and meaningful education for children with autism while at the same time supporting their families. The school has been life-changing. Thomas, however, does not have access to suitable after-school care, which therefore has required great flexibility in my role and my working hours.
Angela Briggs’ son, Thomas.
I say all of this having been touched by the most enormous love. Thomas brings indescribable happiness and joy into our lives, and I know I’ve become a better person because of him. I have greater empathy, greater compassion, even my ability to manage workplace pressures and timelines is markedly more considered and focused because of him. For those reasons and more, inclusivity defined my company’s DNA from the beginning and shaped my work, and today, I’m more compelled than ever to enable brands to think deeply and move forward with compassion and clarity.
"Inclusivity defined my company’s DNA from the beginning and shaped my work, and today, I’m more compelled than ever to enable brands to think deeply and move forward with compassion and clarity."
Angela Briggs
"Inclusivity defined my company’s DNA from the beginning and shaped my work, and today, I’m more compelled than ever to enable brands to think deeply and move forward with compassion and clarity."
Angela Briggs
We’ve seen success in Australia with the appointment of sustainability advisors, and that shift has led to dramatic improvements in environmental practices within brands. Yes, we still have a long way to go, but the improvement has been vast in terms of ethical and sustainable standards. Outside of the industry, there has also been wonderful dialogue relating to how consumers are choosing to align themselves with brands according to values, a new kind of belief system if you like. It is my hope that we will come to see the same success with the hiring of diversity advisors who will cultivate work environments that, through a collaboration of cultures, ideas, and experience, will embody diversity, equality, and inclusion.
Protestor in France at a Black Lives Matter rally, image courtesy of Getty’s Images.
How, then, to avoid tokenism right now?
I think it’s about taking the time to have important conversations, it’s about education, re-examining core values and ideas, mapping out the framework and critical path required to make a difference on an individual, team and organisational level – there is no overnight or one-step solution, this is a challenge faced by all industries to ensure basic human rights are available for all. At UMENCO, we are continually seeking to partner with local and international councils that can educate and advise us, in particular on the interconnectivity of global markets in order to remain open to new possibilities and perspectives that originate from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences. In effect, we are auditing our own team and assessing our values and behaviours on a regular basis to ensure that we advocate diversity and inclusion in a meaningful way through unbiased recruitment and succession planning.
"It’s about taking the time to have important conversations, it’s about education, re-examining core values and ideas, mapping out the framework and critical path required to make a difference on an individual, team and organisational level."
Angela Briggs
"It’s about taking the time to have important conversations, it’s about education, re-examining core values and ideas, mapping out the framework and critical path required to make a difference on an individual, team and organisational level."
Angela Briggs
Do I think we can do better and more? Yes.
As such, we are committing to a not-for-profit initiative to collaborate and support our clients, helping them to connect with people that will advise on inclusivity and implement change, a service we will extend to clients for 12 months without fees. A donation will be requested and extended to Giant Steps and the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation, which is represented by AFL great, Adam Goodes. This is, after all, a pivotal moment in time. Together, we can create a progressive diversity strategy and the use of inclusiveness to produce organisational growth and success by representing and protecting the inherent value of each person, based on principles of dignity, equality, and mutual respect.
"We are committing to a not-for-profit initiative to collaborate and support our clients, helping them to connect with people that will advise on inclusivity and implement change"
Angela Briggs
"We are committing to a not-for-profit initiative to collaborate and support our clients, helping them to connect with people that will advise on inclusivity and implement change"
Angela Briggs
For many years it has been my mission to create opportunities for people with disabilities, a catalyst for this was upon learning that people with disabilities are being paid as little as $1 an hour. This practice breaches international law and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The media largely chooses not to report on it. Now is the time to question that and while it is an issue that has always been closely connected to my own heart space; I have now come to realise the problem is much bigger; it’s about providing opportunities for all.
"For many years it has been my mission to create opportunities for people with disabilities."
Angela Briggs
"For many years it has been my mission to create opportunities for people with disabilities."
Angela Briggs
On another personal note, I should tell you that it was always my plan, or maybe hope is a better word, for Thomas to be part of UMENCO, to work with clients and our team, to bring his qualities to the business in a way that nurtures his spirit and abilities. This was an idea reinforced by the remarkable professor Temple Grandin. Temple was diagnosed with autism as a child and went on to become both a leading advocate for autistic communities and an authority on the humane treatment of animals.
I was fortunate enough to meet her, a connection that came via the wonderful artist Tim Sharp and his mother Judy. Temple reinforced the point that Thomas needed to work. She explained that everybody needs a purpose, everybody can contribute and everybody needs something to wake up to in the morning.
Her words resonated with me. And whilst the fashion industry is in the spotlight, I must say that I have also seen its other side – great compassion and humility has been extended to me and my son by this community and I feel a lot of hope because of that. Even though we are facing tremendous challenges right now, I’m confident that as we come together we will make a difference, we will make decisive steps towards change.
~ Angela Briggs, Director at UMENCO
Tim Briggs’ portrait of Laser Beak Man and Temple Grandin.
