These organizations are leading the way when it comes to diversity and inclusion

For Black History Month, organizations have been highlighting their campaigns to raise voices and awareness for BIPOC initiatives. And some organizations pride themselves on implementing original and impactful diversity and inclusion programs year-round.

Here’s examples of three organizations paving the way for their inclusive campaigns. 

Algoma University – LEAP program

Algoma University’s’ LEAP initiative (The Learners Early Access Program) is aimed at BIPOC high school students curious about post-secondary education.

LEAP is based at the school’s Brampton Campus and helps BIPOC students to establish a sense of belonging in spaces where they have been historically underrepresented, easing them into university life.

The initiative provides support, educational resources, access to university services, and the opportunity to meet and mix with other BIPOC students.

The program introduces eligible Grade 11 and 12 pupils to a post-secondary environment and places them in university courses, alongside their regular school classes, for an entire high school semester and is entirely free to enroll in and attend.

LEAP recently celebrated its first graduating class in which 50 per cent of the students were Black, and of the 22 graduating Grade 12 students, almost all applied to go to university in 2024; at least 16 of them will return to Algoma University as undergraduates.

For more information on the LEAP program, click here.

York University – Social Procurement Program

York University’s Social Procurement Vendor Portal is an online directory hosted by the university’s website that connects equity-deserving businesses and social enterprises with the York community and beyond.

Social procurement considers how the purchasing of goods and services can positively impact the overall well-being of communities, and aid in reducing poverty, promoting economic and social inclusion, and supporting local development and social connectivity.

“It fosters an enabling environment by embedding supply chain diversity and workforce development initiatives within procurement processes to promote inclusive economic growth,” York University’s social procurement website says. 

The portal is open to anyone looking to procure business and is free for verified vendors looking to list their services. 

Listed businesses are required to describe their concept and outline their social impact so prospective vendors can gauge the business’ value.

York University is involved in validating the business displayed on the portal through a multi-stop process.

York has also partnered with other post-secondary institutions and public sector establishments to construct a social procurement ecosystem across Ontario and is always looking to grow its membership.

So far, 63 equity-deserving apprentices have been hired through the portal, 49 equity-deserving apprentice hours have been worked on York U projects with a social value spend of nearly $9 million on construction and renovation projects. 

For information about York University’s social procurement program, click here.

TEKsystems – Internal DEI

Creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive (DEI) culture has been at TEKsystems core for years. 

The IT management firm employs a team of DEI leaders who operate company-wide programs designed to raise awareness, mitigate unconscious biases, and offer support and guidance to its global teams.

According to TEKsystems, 25 per cent of employees say parental leave is the most valued DEI policy. In comparison, only 14 per cent of company decision-makers think parental leave is the most effective for creating DEI policy. 

But, through the company’s employee networks and resource groups, which includes its African Diaspora Employee Network, ONYX and Multicultural at TEK Employee Resource Group, it seeks to rectify discrepancies in beliefs between its leadership and the wider workforce.

TEKsystems currently operates more than 15 employee resource groups with more than 1000 employees involved collectively, and holds upwards of 100 employee network and employee resource events annually. The company is partnered with NPower, a leader in tech training for underrepresented communities, and Per Scholas.

The company has also implemented a robust recruiting strategy that actively seeks to hire individuals from diverse backgrounds, including candidates from the Black, Indigenous and wider BIPOC community. 

For more about TEKsystems DEI initiatives, click here.