Diversity, Inc.

The Failed Promise of a Billion-Dollar Business

By: Pamela Newkirk

Narrated by: Tracey Leigh

One of Time Magazine's Must-Read Books of 2019: An award-winning journalist shows how workplace diversity initiatives have turned into a profoundly misguided industry—and have done little to bring equality to America's major industries and institutions.
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Diversity has become the new buzzword, championed by elite institutions from academia to Hollywood to corporate America. In an effort to ensure their organizations represent the racial and ethnic makeup of the country, industry and foundation leaders have pledged hundreds of millions of dollars to commission studies, launch training sessions, and hire consultants and diversity czars. But is it working?

In Diversity, Inc., award-winning journalist Pamela Newkirk shines a bright light on the diversity industry, asking the tough questions about what has been effective—and why progress has been so slow. Newkirk highlights the rare success stories, sharing valuable lessons about how other industries can match those gains. But as she argues, despite decades of handwringing, costly initiatives, and uncomfortable conversations, organizations have, apart from a few exceptions, fallen far short of their goals.

Diversity, Inc. incisively shows the vast gap between the rhetoric of inclusivity and real achievements. If we are to deliver on the promise of true equality, we need to abandon ineffective, costly measures and commit ourselves to combatting enduring racial attitudes.

Critic reviews

"Simply by reminding readers of the stories of people like Ingram and Roberts, dedicated employees who endured unthinkable humiliation - the "uncivil" ways in which they were treated, simply because of their race - 'Diversity, Inc.' may do more to help advance the cause of workplace inclusion than any canned bias-training program ever could."—Stephanie Mehta, Washington Post

"a must-read.... a well-sourced and succinctly written report that addresses the overall lack of progress in three key sectors: academia, corporate America, and the Hollywood entertainment establishment...The book is valuable for many reasons, not the least of which is the context Newkirk provides."—Ellen McGirt, Fortune

"Newkirk asks compelling questions as she takes a hard look at the American mosaic."—BizEd

"Pamela Newkirk has written the far-reaching and crisply worded book I had been waiting to read. Cheap diversity statements and costly diversity consultants are not working and Newkirk explains precisely why. Institutions can do better and Diversity, Inc., explains precisely how."—Ibram X. Kendi, National Book Award-winning author of Stamped from the Beginning and How to Be an Antiracist

"With revealing statistics, a compelling narrative, and conclusions about our liberal institutions that will shock but perhaps not surprise, Pamela Newkirk's Diversity, Inc. is a must-read for our times."—PaulaJ. Giddings, EA Woodson Professor Emerita, Smith College

"Rejecting a 'we are the world' approach to diversity for an unflinching examination of the root causes of racial injustice, Pamela Newkirk has written a bold and fearless book about what needs to happen in this country for true diversity to flourish. We have to tell ourselves the truth about our history, our narrative of racial preeminence, and our current practices. Diversity, Inc. is written with the urgency of our times. A must read!" —Eddie S. Glaude Jr., author of Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul

"Pamela Newkirk's Diversity, Inc. is a necessary and clear-eyed assessment of how far we have to go to realize equity and inclusion in the American workplace."—Sherrilyn A. Ifill, President & Director-Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund,Inc.

a lot of stats but a good book

completed it within a week. had too many statistics that you could never remember but it does get the point across very well

Amazing

This book should be a high school requirement for all students to see the stark injustice that still remains in a country that pretends racism is no longer an issue. We still have a ways to go to correct the issues of the past.

Love this fact based observation

It was such a referencing and insightful look into this area. She not only called out the BS, but provided credible solutions

important for any diversity advocate

this book is an important read for any D&I advocate. it highlights the progress (or lack of) and data around D&I.

A Must Read for D&I Practioners

Professor Newkirk’s book is comprehensive and timely. It is a must read for Practitioners in the field of Diversity & Inclusion and for those seeking equity for all Americans in every sphere of American Society. Professor Newkirk gets to the root of the racial divide in the US and recommends solutions to bridge that divide.

This book takes us behind the diversity facade and it’s not good.

Diversity efforts have turned into big business providing opportunities for individuals and companies to profit. However, as I had suspected these initiatives are often window dressing with no real results. There true purposes are public relations and to provide a buffer against litigation.
Ms. Newkirk focuses on the entertainment, education and corporate sector. The level of detail and background information provided is excellent as you would expect from an academic.

Diversity efforts when implemented by most companies only drive division. So many talented people don’t get the opportunity they deserve due to racial bias. We need a more robust system of accountability if we are going to provide opportunities to everyone.

Required Reading for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

This book is an effective and thorough analysis of the dysfunction of D &I programs, particularly in corporate America. To say a paradigm shift is needed would be an understatement. I wish I could be as optimistic as the author of a favorable outcome, and that we’ll see a more genuine desire for parity among racial groups.

Great and Informative Listen

The author does an excellent job laying out the lack of progress that has made in the US and has suggestions for a path forward

Extremely dry and not engaging

Why does the author think that throwing a bunch of statistics on a page, with little to no narrative, makes for a good book? If I wanted to read a study, I would go and read a study. Having to sit through this book where the author regurgitates number after number with very little context behind those numbers was a little mind numbing.

I'm going to look for other books on diversity, something more engaging and informative, because this one does no favors to the movement.