Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI, for short) were thrust towards the focal center of the workplace recently in the United States. Not only has white supremacy become more vocal, but well-reported events, such as the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and the Charleston Nine, irrefutably show that America is still overcoming systemic racism. Our racial struggles were not all settled with the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. One place of multifaceted struggle is for equity in the workplace. Women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and many others still face difficult barriers against succeeding in the workplace, and holding individuals back means holding us all back as a unit. In this book, Brown teaches us what we can do to take the next step of engagement to allow everyone to thrive.

Millennia ago, Aristotle described the goal of human life to be social flourishing, yet universal happiness has proved to be illusory if not unobtainable. Nonetheless, through intentional struggle, real progress can be made. Brown invites us to engage in that effort alongside her. She describes four stages that we might find ourselves in – Unaware, Aware, Active, or Advocate. She addresses a chapter to each phase and personalizes a message to those in each group. Further, she outlines that we each might be at a different stage when it comes to different groups of people. The goal is not to lay judgment – everyone’s greatest fear – but to grow and develop.

This book provides a short handbook on where DEI stands in 2022. Brown revised this second edition from the well-received first edition in light of new experiences we all have encountered together. Her main contribution is this theoretical framework and not any research findings. It would have been nice to have some data that either supports the proposed theory or expands our knowledge by a new theory’s light. Instead, we are just left with some short musings that are somewhat static and inert.

This book seeks to reach the audience of the American worker. It does address leaders, specifically, but anyone who cares about their coworkers can benefit from engaging with Brown in this struggle. New situations unearthed by the COVID-19 pandemic (such as remote work and mental health) are discussed along prior foundations of the DEI field. Most importantly, this book encourages us to make progress, wherever we are. It encourages us not to scapegoat others on where they are but to help them make positive momentum. At just under 200 pages, this quick read stands to shine light on how to make the struggle for progress in a new era. ( )