Creating Our Future with Organizations by Design

  I had the amazing opportunity to join with the Ramapough Lenape Nation in a sacred ritual in a sweat lodge this weekend. The structure is the lodge, and the ceremony performed within the structure may be called by some cultures a purification ceremony or simply a sweat. The sweat is a spiritual ceremony – it is for prayer and healing, and it is only to be led by Indigenous Elders who know the language, songs, traditions, and safety protocols of their culture's inherited tradition. Without going in the reason I was in the sweat lodge, I do want to share some thoughts that came to me as a result of the experience - some answers to questions percolating around in my mind, specifically about change. I've long known that the fear of change is a complex and multifaceted human emotion that can affect people from various backgrounds and privilege levels. What became so clear to me, however, is that it's true that change can be perceived differently by those who are privileged a...

Organizations by Design is committed to create the change we want to see in the world. Join us.  T his resource compiled by Launch. Educate yourself Learn about the history, contributions, and past and present experiences of Asian American communities. Watch: The PBS series  Asian Americans  about the history of identity, contributions, and challenges experienced by Asian Americans The Smithsonian’s video series  We are not a stereotype: Breaking down Asian Pacific American bias  which explores what it means to be Asian Pacific American and the impacts of Asian Pacific American stereotypes Asian Americans and Seattle’s Civil Rights History Read: America’s long history of scapegoating its Asian citizens Books about Asian Pacific American history and experiences What is the Model Minority Myth? Anti-Asian Racism Exposes the Model Minority Myth Listen: Asian America: The Ken Fong Podcast Self-Evident: Asian America’s Stories Asian Enough Speak up Silence is consent...

MLK Day is a holiday, a memorial, and a chance for all of us to deeply consider how to create a more equitable society. We’re taking time today to honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. Read with us. We've provided a link to King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail .  We’re also taking time to reflect and confront Implicit Bias with Impact Hub . How are you marking the day?

In my personal and professional life, I work with intention to be inclusive in my language. If I fail, I take correction. I advocate for institutions/organizations that I work with to do so as well. Everyone needs to feel that our public institutions, our systems, our “we” represents all of us.  Barbara Organizations by Design 1/22/2021 Update I've come back to add this piece: The occupant of the physical White House has changed — and of the digital one. Here’s one way whitehouse.gov has been revamped since the Biden administration took over: Pronouns The contact form on the website has sections for a person’s first and last name, email address, phone number and an optional category to include pronouns. Options include “she/her,” “he/him,” “they/them,” “other” and “prefer not to share.” Read more