KC Business Journal focuses on Diversity, Equity, and Belonging

The Transition Academy's CEO, Kim Riley, recently participated in a Kansas City Business Journal (KCBJ) conversation with thought leaders about the current state of DEIB efforts in our community.

"The landscape of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) continually evolves, just as the commitment to these initiatives by company stakeholders fluctuates.

Recently, the Kansas City Business Journal (KCBJ) gathered area thought leaders to gain their perspectives on the current state of DEIB efforts in our community. The discussion, moderated by KCBJ Advertising Director Beth Collins, also explored strategies for fostering a more inclusive environment within organizations."

In the article, Riley talked about what TTA sees as a critical aspect of our work:

My organization has the audacity to tackle diversity at the intersection of disability and race. Black males are overrepresented in special education classrooms, and they have the worst outcomes after high school.

Even though Black people have the highest level of disability diagnosis, we are overwhelmingly turned down for vocational rehabilitation resources. Black males also overwhelmingly tend to end up in the criminal justice system. According to the data, many Black males are incarcerated one year after high school if they have a disability.

So we’re looking at how to tackle this really complex issue. This notion of belonging is part of it.

You can read the entire conversation in the Kansas City Business Journal here:

Diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging in flux: Navigating change with insights