Home Team: The Diversity Gap

The Diversity Gap is a project led by the brilliant-minded and brilliant-spirited Bethaney Wilkinson. Engaged as a racial justice educator over the past decade, she has seen up close and first-hand what she so aptly identifies as the gap between good intentions and good impact. Of course there are leaders of organizations, businesses, and systems who desire to create a culture where diversity is valued and celebrated. And at the same time, those desires simply aren’t enough to realize the outcome. The problem of racism is far too nuanced and entrenched. 

Bethaney has gracefully channeled her body of research into a podcast, a live event, and a soon-to-be book, all in order to empower people to create the cultures they say they want. Ultimately, this work is closing the gap so that people are seen, celebrated and given the space to thrive. 

We are so thankful and proud to launch our Home Team project with Bethaney and The Diversity Gap as our very first partner. We went to visit Bethaney at her Plywood Place office and pieced together a socially distanced interview for you to enjoy. As she quipped with us, “thankfully, I have been Black for a long time, so I have a lot of stories,” we join her in gratitude. 

What does Atlanta mean to you?

To me, Atlanta means anything is possible. Truly. This place is so dynamic. The unique intersection of our history, the diversity of our communities, the changes (good and not-so-good) that are underway...it all generates possibility. It's the kind of place where you can try new things, build new networks, reimagine yourself and your work. Possibilities are everywhere, and that always inspires me.

What do you want more of for our city?

I feel really unqualified to respond to this question, but I'm going to try. I want more celebration of our elders, and not just the famous ones. But those who have lived ordinary lives here, have seen the city grow and change, and have really held us down through it all. I love learning from those who have gone before us. Hearing their stories and perspectives adds a much needed texture to our conversations on race, community and justice. Their wisdom also adds sense of longevity to the social healing work we're witnessing and participating in now.

Who or what are you inspired by as you do your work?

These days, I'm really inspired by the boldness and brilliance of Black women who have gone before me in pursuing liberation. As I lean into the perspectives of Toni Morrison, bell hooks, Audre Lorde, Octavia Butler and more, I'm finding a lot of healing and freedom. It's been immensely grounding and life-giving to know that in a very real way, I'm not alone in the questions I'm asking and the work I'm pursuing.

My place in Atlanta is ________ .

Emory University. I moved to Atlanta in 2008 to attend college there. Even though I've lived all over this city (OrmewoodPark, English Avenue, Grant Park, and Vine City) Emory always feels the most like home. Since I grew up in a small town, attending Emory immediately expanded my worldview. I met people from all over the world and learned to think critically about really big ideas. To this day, when I'm feeling lost or overwhelmed, I'll visit campus just to remind myself of who I am and what I'm about. It's a huge gift to have a physical place that marks my own growth and becoming.

What's got you busy?

Writing my first book! I've wanted to be an author for as long as I can remember. I'm incredibly excited to tell stories and create resources to support organizations who want to not only diversify, but to confront racism and white supremacy head on. It's a huge undertaking, but after years of working in majority white organizations, I have a lot to say. It's fun to put these thoughts and feelings to the page.