Tips for Fostering Communities of Inclusion and Belonging

1. Be Intentional

Unless we consciously make Inclusion and Belonging priorities, exclusion can occur by accident. Even unintentional cues can undermine people’s sense of belonging. Now and again, check in and ask yourself or your community, “Am I (Are We) making others feel they belong where we are?”

2. Get Comfortable with the Uncomfortable

Inclusion and Belonging means vulnerably sharing our authentic selves and being open to others doing the same. If we are truly doing this with diverse groups in an inclusive way, we will be uncomfortable sometimes! Be open to unlearning your individual biases, pausing to consider new ideas from others, and recognize that discomfort is part of the process.

3. Relationships are Key

Bringing people together to build bonds, interact, and break down perceived barriers of distrust is a key component to combat stigma and promote Inclusion and Belonging in communities. Providing opportunities for proximity and personal interactions that might not have otherwise occurred allows for individuals to form favorable views towards people with whom they might have previously stereotyped unfavorably.

4. Diversity isn’t Enough

Diversity is a key component of Inclusion and Belonging, but be careful not to see it as the final goal rather than the beginning of the journey. Having a diverse representation of different groups matters, but only if their voices are actually heard and are empowered to have an impact on the community or space they are in. It isn’t enough to listen to other voices, diverse perspectives must be placed in positions of power in order to impact actual decision-making.

5. Be Transparent

Belonging and Inclusion can’t happen in the dark. Bringing our Equity efforts into the open, both our successes and, most importantly, our FAILURES, is key to success. Set clear goals for yourself or your community, and be honest when you succeed or when you fail. By doing so, we build empathy, trust, and vulnerability on our journey, and even in our failures, can continue to grow a sense of Inclusion and Belonging.