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age or any type of diversity,” and equity “acknowledges that people do not all start from the same place.” Simply put, equality suggests that everyone should be given the same, but equity says that each person should get what they need to succeed, Kwan says. Inclusion is “the cultivation of an environment where every person feels welcome and is appreciated for who they are and for what they can distinctively offer—what they bring to the table.” In the forum, Kwan discussed the many ways that coronavirus has affected today’s diverse pool of employees. While many workers have been laid- off or furloughed, many have also transitioned to working remote. Many of those full-time remote workers, however, also simultaneously become full-time caregivers for their children, due to school closures, and ill family members. Some of those workers may be navigating all these changes and more. She explained that some people of Asian descent have been the target of derogatory verbal and physical attacks because of the origination of the virus. And because of institutional racism, the effect of the coronavirus in communities where Blacks and Hispanics/Latinos live has caused greater challenges for these demographics. Even though there’s still many layers to unravel on a societal level, and many more discussions to be had, Norris shared small steps that every business, no matter the size, can take to ensure that every employee is recognized, including the use of the round-robin technique in meetings, so everyone attending has a chance to speak, and writing results- based job descriptions. And Brethowr shared certain behaviors that every business can promote to work toward actionable change, like transparency, listening and understanding differences, building trust and acceptance, and designing company culture and values. Speaking on the forum, Kwan says, “It was encouraging to see everyone who participated in PPAI’s first Diversity, Equity And Inclusion Forum. It’s a first step toward more diverse and inclusive participation in our industry. Change like this takes time, intention and persistence, and PPAI is committed to coming alongside our members as they create more equal opportunities for diverse voices to be seen and heard throughout our industry. Every company and every individual can find ways to speak up and make positive changes toward diversity and inclusion, and we can together make an impact.” To watch the recorded forum, visit onlineeducation.ppai.org/products/ the-ppai-diversity-equity-and-inclusion- forum-on-demand-view. Download PPAI’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Playbook at my.ppai.org/benefits/DiversityPlaybook. Danielle Renda is associate editor of PPB. | SEPTEMBER 2020 | 89 CONNECT