Ending Checkbox Diversity

Rewriting the Story of Performative Allyship in Corporate America

By: Dannie Lynn Fountain

Narrated by: Donna Schiele

Length: 3 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

DEI isn’t just a box to check.

As a triple minority who passes for a straight white woman in corporate America, Dannie Lynn Fountain has seen too many companies pretend to care about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) only for its public relations outcomes. 

In Ending Checkbox Diversity, Fountain explores how the current structure of corporate DEI lends itself to the continued oppression of marginalized identities. She examines the narrow objectives and metrics that allow for shallow or no improvement and how shifting diversity responsibility to employee resource groups enables companies to disclaim responsibility for making meaningful progress. She looks at the impact of Zennials and Gen Zers, the most diverse generations ever, and breaks down precisely why some notable examples of poor DEI initiatives failed (and what should have been done differently). And she builds a road map for what real DEI looks like and how to avoid the performative allyship trope.

©2023 Dannie Lynn Fountain (P)2022 Dannie Lynn Fountain

A book everyone in business, no matter how big or small the corporation, must read!

I’m fortunate enough to call Dannie both a colleague and a friend. She’s taught and inspired me so much since I’ve known her, and I just knew, her books was going to be nothing short of incredible.

As much as I wanted to dive into this book head first the moment I got my hands on it, I resisted and chose to wait to read it until I truly had the time to sit with it, absorb it, and really spend the time I needed to reflect on and think about the things she said. And wow am I glad I read this book when I did.

Whether you are in corporate America or a small business owner like myself, you need to read this book. I learned SO much. And honestly? There were moments of guilt elicited from me as I read it, because I simply never realized some of the challenges others face every day. There’s been times I’ve hesitated to say or do something in terms of DEIJ initiatives simply because I was worried I’d say the wrong thing, which is why I was so grateful for ch. 7 talking about the language of DEIJ.

Dannie taught me in this book, we won’t always “get it right” and it’s okay not to know everything, but that implementing DEIJ initiatives even within the walls of my own small business is so important. I also recognized where I could “do better” than I am. A post on social media isn’t enough. This book really lit a fire under my ass to start to make changes to make sure I’m playing my part in making my workspace safe and inclusive for all.