The significance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has skyrocketed recently, and the Google Trends data illustrates the magnitude of this change.

Since early 2020, the popularity of this search term has surged by an astounding 700%. Many businesses are actively seeking ways to contribute to this crucial movement. If you’re one of those businesses, keep reading for 11 valuable resources to bolster your DEI initiatives. First, let’s briefly define these terms.

Understanding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

As defined by the eXtension Organizing Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, diversity encompasses the presence of differences, equity ensures fair treatment for diverse groups, and inclusion focuses on creating a genuinely welcoming environment for everyone.

To illustrate, imagine a party: diversity is like having guests from various backgrounds, representing different races, genders, religions, sexual orientations, ethnicities, nationalities, socioeconomic statuses, languages, (dis)abilities, ages, and political views. Equity is ensuring everyone who wants to participate can, for instance, by providing a wheelchair ramp. Inclusion, often described as being asked to dance, now encompasses broader concepts like having a say in the music selection or being involved in the party planning process.

11 Valuable DEI Resources for Small Businesses

Leverage these resources to integrate genuine accessibility and inclusivity into your marketing and overall business approach.

1. Allyens’ Client Success Stories

Allyens, an inclusive marketing agency, is driven by an inspiring mission to craft “communications that open minds, connect with every individual, and achieve unprecedented reach and impact.” Their entire website is a valuable resource, demonstrating compelling conversational copywriting. Their case studies page provides concrete examples of how aligning DEI with marketing goals can benefit both your company and society. Moreover, their Instagram and other social media channels offer valuable insights, like this:

2. LinkedIn’s Inclusive Language Guide for Marketers

LinkedIn’s Inclusive Language for Marketers Pocket Guide is an invaluable tool to weave diversity and inclusion into your brand identity and messaging. This guide explores:

• The definition and significance of inclusive language
• Various forms of inclusive language
• Practical tips for maintaining inclusivity in your language
• Common exclusionary language and their inclusive alternatives

3. Accessibilitytest.org

Featured on our top website grader list, the Accessibilitytest.org evaluates your website’s accessibility using four leading testing tools: AudioEye, WAVE, axe, and HTML_CodeSniffer. It allows you to assess single pages or your entire website, providing an overall score and detailed recommendations regarding:

• Missing alt text for images
• Empty headers
• Unclear link text
• Missing form labels
• Insufficient contrast between background and text colors

Furthermore, accessibility improvements can enhance your SEO, driving more traffic to your website.

4. The Ethical Move

This inspiring organization emphasizes the importance of ethical selling practices. To combat manipulative marketing and foster transparency, responsibility, and honesty, they offer a pledge and badge that businesses can adopt to join the movement.

Visit theethicalmove.org to take the pledge and receive your badge. They also provide numerous free resources for non-members. You can follow them on Instagram @theethicalmove or subscribe to their newsletter.

5. Google’s Inclusive Marketing Toolkit

Google’s Inclusive Marketing Toolkit offers a wealth of information. Beyond standard elements like how to incorporate inclusivity into your marketing, hiring practices, and company culture, you’ll find a section providing facts and figures about various marginalized groups. Clicking on a specific group reveals detailed information, including considerations, common mistakes, appropriate language, and more.

Discover even more diversity, equity, and inclusion statistics for marketing here.

6. iMPACT’s Inclusive Marketing Examples

iMPACT’s inclusive marketing examples highlights 15 campaigns from leading brands that offer inspiration and ideas for your marketing initiatives. One example is The White Collection Bridal Boutique in Portishead, England, featuring a bride mannequin in a wheelchair.

7. The Drum’s Diversity Column

The Drum, a global marketing news platform and magazine, offers content marketing solutions and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. Their diversity column spotlights leaders, creatives, and influencers from underrepresented communities to raise awareness and explore solutions.

RELATED: 10 Practical & Inspiring Tips for Minority-Owned Businesses

8. Berkeley’s DEI Checklist

This comprehensive DEI checklist, created by the University of California Berkeley Haas School of Business, is geared towards larger organizations, but its principles can be adapted for your business. It helps identify gaps and informs actionable steps for creating a tailored DEI plan.

Covering institutional and community levels, it addresses recruitment, hiring, employee evaluation, promotions, pay equity, flexible work arrangements, healthcare, accountability, and equity-focused leadership.

9. SHRM’s DEI Policy Template

Authentic diversity, equity, and inclusion start from within. The Society for Human Resource Management offers a diversity, equity and inclusion policy template as a foundation for building your own. Customize it to reflect your company culture, industry, and practices. As with any policy, ensure legal counsel reviews it for compliance with relevant laws.

10. The Accessible Social Checklist

The free resource hub, Accessible Social, provides the valuable Accessible Social Checklist. Page one presents 23 actionable items, such as:

• Ensuring sufficient contrast in graphics for legible copy
• Using flattened copy in alt text
• Avoiding emojis within words
• Using Camel Case for multi-word hashtags Page two provides a comprehensive glossary of relevant terms, like “flattened copy” and “Camel Case.”

11. Ben’s Definitive Guide to Disability Inclusion in the Workplace

Ben, an all-encompassing employee benefits platform, simplifies employee rewards and benefits programs. Their Definitive Guide to Disability Inclusion in the Workplace is a comprehensive online resource offering valuable information for enhancing workplace inclusivity, including statistics, definitions, and links to additional resources.

Your DEI Resource Collection

The surge in DEI awareness is encouraging, though long overdue and tragically prompted by events like those of 2020. Increased awareness must translate into concrete action. We’re still in the early stages, recognizing the significant work ahead. By utilizing these resources, you can actively champion and implement diversity, equity, and inclusion within your business and marketing strategies:

1. Allyens’ Client Success Stories
2. LinkedIn’s Inclusive Language Guide for Marketers
3. Accessibilitytest.org
4. The Ethical Move
5. Google’s Inclusive Marketing Toolkit
6. iMPACT’s Inclusive Marketing Examples
7. The Drum’s Diversity Column
8. Berkeley’s DEI Checklist
9. SHRM’s DEI Policy Template
10. The Accessible Social Checklist
11. Ben’s Definitive Guide to Disability Inclusion in the Workplace If email marketing is part of your strategy, explore our post on crafting accessible emails.