Commentary

Empowering Black Seattleites in Pursuit of Homeownership  

Empowering Black Seattleites in Pursuit of Homeownership  

How Seattle’s lack of affordable housing is affecting its Black residents 

As a Black woman and financial advisor deeply engrained in Seattle’s community, I’ve witnessed firsthand the struggles many Black individuals face in securing affordable housing…

The Battle Against Bias

The Battle Against Bias

How to create an inclusive, psychologically safe workplace

Creating inclusive spaces for folks with expanded gender identities can have a profound impact on both mental and physical health, and the workplace should be no exception. Employers have the unique opportunity to create a sense of belonging for individuals who might not feel inclusion in other areas of their lives. How do you create…

Second-Chance Hiring

Second-Chance Hiring

Would your organization hire formerly incarcerated individuals?

Even though many studies show that formerly incarcerated talent has equal-to-better job performance stats when compared to peers, some organizations still have systemic bias against employees and applicants with a criminal history. If employers are truly committed to infusing DEIB into their practices, instituting intentional fair-chance hiring practices must be considered. Here are some frequently…

Respect, Not Agreement

Respect, Not Agreement

We can agree to disagree. Let's just be civil about it

“Can we all get along?” While not an uncommon phrase, it became part of the American fabric on May 1, 1992, when Rodney King posed this question at a press conference after his beating from four police officers went viral. I was a senior in high school at the time, and it was both a…

Breaking the Age Barrier

Breaking the Age Barrier

How to combat ageism in the workplace

The current workforce consists of five different generations for the first time in history, but less than 10% of employers include age diversity in their equity and inclusion strategy. Historically, managing a multigenerational workforce has been seen as a challenge, but age inclusion can allow for increased learning, and two-way mentorship opportunities. Here are some…

The Shooting Never Stops

The Shooting Never Stops

Gun violence exacts a steep toll on all aspects of life

18We live in a country with more guns than humans. More mass shootings than days in a year. And a significant misconception about how survivors of gun violence can heal and move on with their lives. The truth is that time does not heal all wounds. And unfortunately, there is no playbook for victims of…

Moneyball

Moneyball

Want to get the most business from baseball? it’s simple: win more games

Baseball isn’t just a great sport to play and watch. It’s also an economic engine. Cities often help major league teams build stadiums in hopes of boosting economic activity in surrounding neighborhoods. But there’s one ingredient that really brings in the bucks: a winning team. Last season, for the first time since 2001, it seemed…

Disability inclusion: Seattle companies take steps to include all employees

Disability inclusion: Seattle companies take steps to include all employees

One in four adults in the United States has some type of disability. Still, disability inclusion is not always part of workplace diversity efforts. Thoughtful accessibility practices help with new hiring opportunities and ensure current coworkers can bring their whole selves to the job. I recently learned that an employee has a non-apparent disability only…

Second chances: Why Seattle companies should hire people with criminal records

Second chances: Why Seattle companies should hire people with criminal records

2023The law firm I founded, DuBois Levias Law Group, is a “second chance” employer for people who were formerly incarcerated. We hire those who have served time in prison, carry a felony, or have close family members in prison.  Given that one in four Americans has a criminal record that can impact their ability to…

Doing the DEIB

Doing the DEIB

Involving workers in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging creates engagement and enthusiasm

Everyone, regardless of title, can advance diversity, equity, and inclusion outcomes in the workplace. One way to accomplish this is by creating employee-led resource groups, or ERGs, which often consist of members who share similar demographics or lived experiences. Here are some frequently asked questions. We are a relatively small business. We care deeply about…

Space Case

Space Case

Workers demand a range of experiences in the workplace

The responsibility of the workplace is to double as a dynamic community hub where work and life intersect — always for the better. In conceptualizing the positioning of a property, owners should focus on incorporating the best elements of work, home, and hospitality into the experience, establishing the workplace as a destination. Workers themselves are…

Culture in a Post-Covid World

Culture in a Post-Covid World

A human-centered workplace will retain employees and spur success

In business, perhaps branding is the only term that can compete with culture as the most nebulous to define and elusive to measure. But in today’s post-Covid world, culture has become more critical than ever. The companies that crack the culture code attract and retain the best people and gain a growing segment of conscious…

Turning Back to Timber

Turning Back to Timber

Look to Washington’s history to tackle the climate crisis

We can thank lumber for the success of Seattle and many of the towns that have sprung up across the Puget Sound region. From the logs that rolled across Skid Road in the early days of Pioneer Square to the mills that supplied the country’s hunger for Washington’s wood, nothing is more quintessentially Pacific Northwest…

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