Tash McLeod shares ideas for celebrating Black excellence year-round and helping contribute to a more inclusive and just future.

On International Women’s Day, WORTH was invited to speak at a round table discussion with the Premier, Minister of Finance, Attorney General and Parliamentary Secretary of Gender Equity. Our Director at Large, Sloan Vereecken was honoured to take a seat at the table with Dr. Ruth Habte, organizer for AccessBC and Zoey Wells, Wear 2 Start. Together, they discussed important legislation benefiting women, including steps to narrow the pay gap.

The recent Castell Project report calls out industry biases & discrimination, in an effort to encourage accountability and diversify leadership.⁠ Their key findings highlight the work that still needs to be done to attract and retain Black talent in the hospitality industry. Click the link below to learn more and read the full report.

In 2021, WORTH Association brought together 50 industry professionals to work through a series of discussions on inclusion, rewards, advancement, retention, flexibility and fair treatment led by the Sociable Scientist. These discussions formed the basis of the first study of its kind in BC examining why women aren't dominating in a female-dominated industry and how we can work collectively to ensure more women take a seat, and remain, at the table. Click the link below to learn more and download your copy of the gender equity audit.

Tj, your friendly neighbourhood 2SLGBTQIA+ focused EDI practitioner here. I’m going to stay in my lane, and share with you 3 key ways you can improve the workplace and consumer experiences for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks in the tourism and hospitality industries. This is about demonstrating allyship, workplace inclusion and reaching and welcoming the 2SLGBTQIA+ market.

We were welcomed at the BC Tourism and Hospitality Conference, with the intention to continue the dialogue that occurred at Seat At The Table with 50 industry leaders. We presented the dynamic results of the study by sharing recommendations related to balance, flexibility, benefits, inclusion, learning, and safe workplaces.

March marked Women’s history month and International Women's Day. How did your organizations deliver? Were you asked to stand for a photo in the lobby for social media? I would go out on a limb and say whatever took place, it was likely organized by women and made zero impact towards gender equity.

Did you catch WORTH’s viral moment a few weeks back? Our talented communications team posted a statement in an Instagram story that got a LOT of attention. In simple white writing, the post said “Put the salary in the job description” … 13 times in a row for effect. It is evident from the reactions by some there is still a lot of conversation (and internal barriers to overcome) to have salary transparency.

Before we achieve complete diversity in our environments, businesses, and organizations, they must first be inclusive. Every single individual that is a part of the organization needs to be engaged and supportive because diversity cannot be forced, and inclusivity needs to come from a willingness to be open and make changes. WORTH created a guide with tangible actions on how you can promote, drive and demand inclusivity in your organization.

With it being Pride month, it is hard to not draw parallels between the performative activism of corporations towards the LGBTQ+ community and the messaging we saw from corporations last year after George Floyd’s murder. This begs the question, after all the pressure that was put on corporations to actively be part of the solution to systemic racism, how much progress has been made? It all starts with a pulse check.

At WORTH Association, we use an inclusive definition of the terms woman and female. We welcome trans, cis, gender queer and non-binary people in our community. We also welcome men who support our mission to educate, elevate, empower and advocate for equity. This definition has recently been expanded to be more welcoming and further elevate and empower.

On March 8th, 2021 we recognize International Women’s Day across the globe. This year’s theme is “Choose to Challenge”, a call to action to combat injustices in the fight for women’s equality. Since our incorporation, IWD has always been a positive event. A day to celebrate inclusivity and acknowledge the social, political and economic achievements of women. It’s also a chance to gather our community.

Part 3 of Colourful Conversations brought us a discussion between Tolu Aladejebi of Black in Hospitality and Co-owner and VP of Career Contacts Natasha Jeshani about all things recruitment and creating safe work environments. Natasha also happens to be an Amazon bestselling author (HR Insider: How to Land your dream job and keep it).

The second installment of Colourful Conversations brought us Judith Kasiama, founder of Colour the Trails, in conversation with Woman of WORTH Tolu Aladejebi, and left all of us wanting to get outdoors immediately! If you missed it, never fear, we’ve recapped it with you in mind.

WORTH Association is not throwing in the towel. We’re in your corner with many other women who are paving the way and fighting for a fair future. We need you in this fight. We are expanding our Board and Volunteers and are looking for talented women to help join us in 2021. We’re looking for support with our partnerships, sponsorship finances, operations and advocacy efforts.

In the first instalment of this IGTV series we joined woman of WORTH Tolu Aladejebi in conversation with Asha Wheeldon of Kula Kitchen to learn more about Asha’s experience creating a community of plant-based food lovers in Vancouver and the barriers she faced as a BIPOC business owner.

Recent events and global protests launched as a result of the murder of George Floyd have forced many of us to re-evaluate our institutions and the ways white supremacy has created systemic limitations for Black Canadians. Even more pronounced is the question about what can we do to break down these social and systemic barriers. This is my open letter and call to action to the leaders and executives in the hospitality and tourism industry.