Diversity Playbook: Recommendations and Guidance for Christian Organizations

by Michelle R. Loyd-Paige, Michelle D. Williams

We All Need the Same Playbook

Diversity Playbook offers readers a unique opportunity to gain a sneak peek into the world of the other. Authors Michelle R Loyd-Paige and Michelle D. Williams note that many diversity efforts fail simply because organizations don't share a common language as they talk about diversity. To answer this problem, they address three key audiences in Christian organizations:

Section One -- Wisdom for Diversity Professionals
Section Two -- Guidance for Outliers, Allies, Co-conspirators
Section Three -- Strengthening Diversity throughout Your Organization

Building on their years of experience in Christian higher education, Loyd-Page and Williams share pitfalls to avoid and plans that can extend God's ministry of reconciliation to everyone. Their work will help your organization become better at changing hearts and broadening minds.

Genres: Christian

192 pages, Paperback

Published November 2, 2021

Reviews

[Ethan Hightower · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a manager, minister, diversity coach, director, administrator, or some other kind of leader, you need this book. If you are wanting to change your institution after all that 2020 revealed, this book is a great resource. It is simply a guide about how to create more equity in your organization and not go crazy in the process, and the authors are cheering you on the whole way. It’s thoroughly drenched with grace and understanding for the reader. To be clear, this isn’t an apologetic about the existence of racism and inequity. It’s more of a book for people who are interested in taking some sort of action. And there is wisdom here.

[Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I heard the title, my mind went to the coach on the sideline carefully reviewing the various options that are available for the next call--an appropriate analogy to this resourceful and helpful text. If you've ever wonder about diversity vocabulary (e.g., the difference between ally and co-conspirator); how to think about personal work in the area of diversity and empowerment; how to help an organization become more intentionally and consistently a safe and effective place for the diverse peoples who populate our world--this is the playbook.

Every leader, especially every HR leader, should own, read, and process this book.

Grateful for the experientially based wisdom and how-to-do-it, step by stepness, sensitive and "no holds barred" approach of this valuable book.

Highly recommended as a read and in reach of your desk playbook.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book speaks to those interested in strengthening diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within Christian higher education. It is full of scriptural wisdom, professional expertise, and practical strategies. I liked how the authors included real examples, good and bad, in each chapter. This emphasized the importance of the work. One of the last chapters also covers “signposts” that point to success. This was a huge help for me to be able to identify where progress (not perfection) is being (or can be) made. I highly recommend this book for anyone, staff or faculty at any level, in Christian higher education.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellently written, with graciousness at its core. The two Michelles provide a very solid structure for thinking about diversity in Christian organizations, but even better it is all supported by a thorough and gracious application of Scripture. This book will challenge your justice orientation as a Christian, and for people like me, it may become challenging;lenging to get through because it requires that you set aside so many preconceptions about the importance of diversity and the demands of justice within the life of someone who wishes to pursue Christ.

One thought that came to me while reading about "Shared Commitment" (p. 126):
Equality of treatment results in inequity of outcomes, but equity of treatment results in equality of outcomes.