Ulysses Smith

Advocate and entrepreneur. Cornell graduate. Unapologetically gay. Unapologetically black. Inclusion & Diversity

[Ulysses Smith @usmith1709]

LET'S DISCUSS:

Are you building a DEI business function or are you simply building a program?

Check out my latest piece in Fast Company on how organizations can build strategic DEI business functions and redefine the future of th…https://t.co/A8R4xtdZWG https://t.co/yRLFOjKEzb

[Ulysses Smith @usmith1709]

It's #PrideMonth! 🏳️‍🌈

If you watch the news, then you no doubt understand the many reasons why it's important for us to come together as a community, embrace and celebrate one another, and further our progress toward #equality.

Join me and Cornell U…https://t.co/epa3Ljx6I3

[Ulysses Smith @usmith1709]

You KNOW I love an event! 😂 We're so excited to finally bring this amazing event to the west coast!

If you've been looking for a reason to build community, meet new people, and get all dressed up, then join us during #PrideMonth as the Cornell Universit…https://t.co/G7qZ6F4l4Q

[Ulysses Smith @usmith1709]

My long-form thoughts on the nonsensical piece from the #WSJ on #DEI and the #SVBcollapse are on the way.

In the meantime, I've been trying to grapple with this newfound power that so many of us practicing this work didn't know we had. Apparently, we ca…https://t.co/UbwFBGQ4Cp

[Ulysses Smith @usmith1709]

It's #GivingDay at Cornell University!

Some of my fondest (and toughest) memories from my time on campus revolve around advocating and leading change for LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff at the institution. As I watch the news recently -- with headlin…https://t.co/9USO2ydc79

[Ulysses Smith @usmith1709]

The #Oscars are trending, but for the wrong reason. We need to recognize these show-stopping #BlackHistoryMonth performances.

The real nominees are those companies who, in the midst of realizing that they were inept at strategic planning and (allegedly)…https://t.co/ix3C5eTHIV

[Ulysses Smith @usmith1709]

Ok. We have a problem. ⚠️

There is a fundamental misunderstanding of the difference between collaboration, partnership, and consultation with respect to #DEI teams.

I hear the constant refrain all the time of how much folx want to do the former two (mis…https://t.co/zfa2TBPv5O

[Ulysses Smith @usmith1709]

Once upon a time, I had an executive yell at me -- like at the top of their lungs -- publicly. And nobody did anything. Not one person stopped it.

Call it divine intervention or a moment of my own weakness, but I didn't say anything. I didn't clap back (…https://t.co/33EPVch9DS

[Ulysses Smith @usmith1709]

#Kanye is whack and we've known that for a long time. But let's not fall into the trap of making this about him.

Instead, let's center the experiences of the communities who are consistently on the receiving end of this hateful rhetoric and violent behav…https://t.co/IZsgvC2GJ5

[Ulysses Smith @usmith1709]

This marks the end of my first week back at work. For the second time, I took the month of September off (I'm one of those people who absolutely believes in utilizing unlimited PTO).

I was tired. I was frustrated. I was confused. I was (and am) at a cros…https://t.co/oLKyRVC9Vo

[Ulysses Smith @usmith1709]

Let's talk #culture and #results.

I had an interaction recently that highlighted (for reasons I'm unable to understand) that folx are still suggesting that demonstrating empathy and basic humanity as leaders is somehow mutually exclusive to driving resul…https://t.co/df6FPsdOJy

[Ulysses Smith @usmith1709]

Now that the pithy phrase #quietquitting has been bestowed on the well-known phenomenon of employee disengagement, let's talk about what's about to happen.

One of the biggest lessons that many companies are about to learn is the inextricable link between…https://t.co/D6ZDh8q5mj

[Ulysses Smith @usmith1709]

"Think about it: if we JUST solved for JUSTICE in the workplace—what would THAT look like?"

Once again, @mjmichellekim coming through with a whole WORD to get you together.

#diversityandinclusion #equity #belonging #justice https://t.co/r48WSz4r06

[Ulysses Smith @usmith1709]

Seeing so many sudden "best employer for #diversity" posts warrants a real conversation. It's time for us to say the quiet part out loud: the vast majority of these lists are pay to play and utilize scoring criteria that are questionable at best.

To be c…https://t.co/Zz1zhDpcLj

[Ulysses Smith @usmith1709]

Seeing so many sudden "best employer for diversity" posts warrants a real conversation. It's time for us to say the quiet part out loud: the vast majority of these lists are pay to play and utilize scoring criteria that are questionable at best.

To be cl…https://t.co/7pgtoBBH3C

[Ulysses Smith @usmith1709]

Alright. I have a clarifying question that has been bothering me for years:

#DIBs: Will someone please tell me how we got there and clarify the role of the 's' here? The grammar nerd in me is suffering.

I'm assuming this is just another cute name for ou…https://t.co/ikkuKarbOj

[Ulysses Smith @usmith1709]

Whew the tea ☕ The number of times I've felt the need to remind people of all of this!

Passion 👏🏾 ain't 👏🏾 purpose 👏🏾! There are actual skills and competencies needed to do this work, and passion alone won't get you through it all.

#DEI is an evol…https://t.co/cH3DsB0Evb

[Ulysses Smith @usmith1709]

[Image caption: A Black body at rest. A Juneteenth Celebration.]

See? No whack corporate marketing needed. Remember the purpose of this day.

#Juneteenth #diversityandinclusion #dei #equity #gaymer https://t.co/Q6ZehiW2e0

[Ulysses Smith @usmith1709]

Imagine this: Companies spend their time and resources actually hiring, investing in, developing, nurturing, and promoting Black talent in lieu of elaborate and distasteful #Juneteenth marketing schemes and empty platitudes.

What a different Juneteenth h…https://t.co/M4A0lKBxnp

[Ulysses Smith @usmith1709]

I'm afraid. I've been afraid for quite some time.

One of the reasons I've appreciated working from home is because of fear. A fear that what just happened at Tops could happen in any office.

The #tech sector has long pretended it was too progressive for…https://t.co/MXr6wHCnqi

[Ulysses Smith @usmith1709]

There's a particular line of questioning we have to give ourselves permission as practitioners to stop answering: all of the "why #diversity?" types of questions.

No more of the 'why do we bother,' 'why do we need to even talk about,' 'why do we do this…https://t.co/GSgs0GxjGu