The Equity Gap
A straight talk podcast focused on infusing a justice lens into the advancement of equity in the world with your host, Shahzia Noorally.
Shahzia Noorally is someone who stays grounded in the possibilities, and her purpose is rooted in influencing a more equitable and just world. She's a diversity and inclusion professional who centers equity deserving people while teaching those in positions of power to use their privilege to advance anti-racist and equitable workplace cultures. She's a proud first generation, Pakistani-Canadian Muslim, a dog mom to a senior rescue dog named Ollie and a late in life diagnosed ADHDer who lives, works and plays in traditional Treaty 7 territory in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
The Equity Gap
Progressive until Palestine - The silence of equity practitioners in an urgent time. A conversation with Chris Hooten, Speaker, Strategist, Writer and Educator
I first came across Chris Hooten on LinkedIn about a month ago when I had so many thoughts swirling in my head around the silence of so many equity and inclusion professionals in my circles of influence with the ongoing genocide in Gaza. A deliberate choice to uphold a sense of comfort in a job that requires you to be truth tellers and deeply uncomfortable to uphold a sense of integrity. Chris’s perspective that they were openly and unapologetically sharing online felt like the truth that so desperately needed to be said, and so I invited them to join me in dialogue in exploring the dire need for integrity in the work of equity and inclusion, especially for white practitioners who hold a deep amount of privilege and access.
Meet Chris:
Chris Hooten (they/them) is a leading speaker, advisor, and advocate for LGBTQ+, neurodivergent and BIPOC affirming cultures and with over ten years in leadership, advocacy, and professional development, Chris has worked alongside incredible organizations like the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden & Glass, Levy Restaurants, POCIS Seattle, and Bastyr University to build equitable and and accessible organizations. They inspire clients to embrace intersectional neurodiversity to remove barriers and promote success for all. They offer a range of services, including workshops, professional development, speaking engagements, and coaching that solves equity challenges. To learn more about their impact, visit chrishootenconsulting.com.
LinkedIn post from Chris that inspired this episode here.
References from the episode:
Norman Finkelstein - https://www.normanfinkelstein.com/
Maintenance Phase podcast: https://www.maintenancephase.com/
The Myth of Normal by Dr. Gabor Mate: https://drgabormate.com/book/the-myth-of-normal/
Israeli government admits to sterilizing Ethiopian Jewish women: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-gave-birth-control-to-ethiopian-jews-without-their-consent-8468800.html
Licensed intro music from NoMo
