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Shifting Culture | Driving Equity
 

Supporting internal DEI teams: prioritizing healing and sustainable impact

The invisible burden of DEI work

Internal DEI teams are often the unsung drivers of organizational change. Yet too often, these teams—primarily composed of BIPOC and other historically marginalized staff—find themselves overextended, under-resourced, and carrying the disproportionate weight of driving transformation in systems that resist it.

At Co-Creating Inclusion, we know how isolating and exhausting this work can be. DEI practitioners not only face pushback and harmful dynamics from within their organizations but also feel immense internal pressure to “fix” the harm caused by systems of oppression. We believe this burden should not fall solely on those most impacted by these systems. Instead, we work with DEI teams to prioritize healing, rest, and a sustainable pace that allows for greater impact without compromising well-being.

 
 

The Problem: Burnout in DEI Teams

DEI teams are expected to achieve transformational change while enduring:

  • A lack of resources and organizational support.

  • Pushback from leadership and other departments, often rooted in bias and discrimination.

  • Emotional labor tied to addressing systemic harm within the workplace.

  • Harmful dynamics, including microaggressions, tokenism, and overt discrimination.

These challenges contribute to burnout, making the effort of driving meaningful progress itself harmful to those who are already more harmed by systems of oppression.

 
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Our Approach: Rest, Repair, and Resilience

We offer a trauma-informed, customized approach designed to alleviate the unique challenges DEI teams face. Our focus is on creating space for rest, recovery, and intentional action that prioritizes both individual and collective well-being while more effectively driving change at the same time.

Immediate relief and validation: We provide confidential, supportive spaces for DEI teams to share their experiences, process challenges, and find emotional relief. Through shared insights and stories from other practitioners, we help normalize and validate the burdens they carry.

Prioritizing self-care and boundaries: We work with DEI teams to develop personalized strategies for self-care, boundary-setting, and de-escalation—empowering them to work sustainably without compromising their health or well-being.

Addressing internal and external harm: We listen deeply to the experiences of marginalized staff within DEI teams, helping to address harm, conflict, and trauma both within the team and from external departments or leadership.

Advanced facilitation training: Our facilitator training equips DEI teams with skills to navigate conflict, manage pushback, and build buy-in, strengthening their capacity to lead effectively.

Strategic support and development: We provide expert guidance in building DEI strategies, theories of change, program evaluations, and more—tailored to the unique goals and challenges of each team.

Leadership engagement and alignment: Through coaching and collaborative sessions, we work to foster leadership and stakeholder buy-in, ensuring DEI efforts are aligned with the organization’s mission and receive the necessary support to succeed.

 

Why Partner with Us?

At Co-Creating Inclusion, we believe in walking alongside DEI teams as collaborators, offering practical tools, emotional support, and strategic insights that make a real difference.

Our approach emphasizes:

  • Sustainable progress through healing and rest.

  • Practical strategies for managing challenges and conflicts.

  • Alignment with organizational missions to drive lasting change.

By prioritizing the well-being of DEI practitioners, we help organizations build a culture of equity without placing undue burdens on those most affected by systemic oppression.

 
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Let’s Work Together

You don’t have to carry this work alone. Schedule a complimentary DEI consultation to explore how we can support your team in creating sustainable, meaningful impact.

Packages start at $10,000

Learn more about our CEO/Leadership Relief Package and Stakeholder Buy-In Package to take the first step toward transformation.