On November 2, 2023, Firefly and Etsy co-hosted their inaugural DEI Practitioner Round Table. This 90-minute session brought together practitioners, leaders and champions from across the nation, representing a cross-section of sectors, industry, government agencies and organizations. We discussed the challenges we face in our roles and explored ways to support one another in the evolving field of DEI.

The initial inspiration for the round table  was to discuss the implications of the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling this past June. However, the escalating violence and humanitarian crises  unfolding around  the world underscored the need to provide practitioners and leaders with a safe space for their own well-being; as they are often required to support and provide guidance to others. 

The round table was facilitated in both large and small group discussions that provided opportunities to connect in community. Many expressed feelings of overwhelm, frustration and feeling unsafe in their roles and sometimes, even in their identities. However, they  found motivation and strength as others shared strategies for self-care and navigating professional challenges. We soon discovered that a 90 minute session was not the answer, but it was a much needed start.