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stressed the importance of understanding the dif- Focusing on the workplace is a high priority for
ference between the two concepts. Hikes. Her work at the ACLU is focused on bring-
“We know diversity is having voices at the ta- ing “a culture of belonging” to the organization in
ble and inclusion is making sure you’re using those service of those who are marginalized.
voices to inform how you do business and make In a conversation with screenwriter Lena Waithe
decisions,” she stated. “Our commitment must al- at the Out & Equal Workplace Summit in October,
ways be to practice this work from an equitable and Hikes spoke eloquently about the need to support
inclusive lens. Our activist and organizing commu- and provide leadership opportunities for those who
nities remind us, ‘No decision about us without us.” are marginalized.
To ensure this is what’s reflected at the ACLU, “We desperately need a future where the leader-
Hikes has developed short- and long-term goals. ship in all sectors more accurately reflects the diver-
Eager to get things going, she is working to develop sity of the world we live in,” she said. “I have come
more equitable working policies and provide an- to realize that if we are not focusing surgically on
ti-oppression training throughout the organization. our capacity building and investing intentionally in
She’s also keyed in on our future leadership being diverse, inclusive, eq-
We desperately need a future professional develop- uitable and intersectional, we are not only failing
ourselves, we are failing our future.”
opportunities
ment
Through her leadership Hikes set a D&I vision
where the leadership in all sectors through capacity build- for the organization where people who show up for
ing work with an em-
more accurately reflects the phasis on people and this work “feel appreciated for their myriad contri-
communities who are
butions to this organization” and are comfortable
diversity of the world we live in. directly impacted by bringing their full, authentic selves to work. To
further achieve this objective, focus groups are be-
the ACLU’s core issues.
“For the ACLU, ing developed to establish a culture statement for
at this particular time the soon to be century-old non-profit.
we’re fighting battles on countless fronts, and all “I couldn’t think of any greater honor than
of our issues impact communities that have expe- to join the ACLU at this time as we seek to hold
rienced historical oppression and marginalization. ourselves internally to the same values we amplify
It’s essential for an organization that’s doing external externally,” she said. “We recognize that we have a
social justice and civil liberties work to be looking collective responsibility to do so – this work is not
inward at how the people who are doing that work done in a vacuum, especially as we embark on large
are being impacted,” said Hikes. “We’re looking not scale systemic change.”
just at what is going on in the broader world but also Hikes, a member of the inaugural class BEQ
how engagement with that work could be impacting Pride 40 LGBTQ Leaders Under 40 in 2018, con-
employees here in their work and in their personal tinues to blaze the trail and lead the way toward an
lives.” equitable future. 

26 | Winter 2019/2020 businessequalitymagazine.com