Newsletter Spotlight: Dr. Ashlee Fowlkes, LGBTQ+ Sensitivity and Transgender Inclusion Expert
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Throughout my time in the DEI and recruiting space, I have met many wonderful individuals doing very impactful work to increase diversity. Work that deserves to be recognized and made known to the #IncreaseDiversity community. Therefore, every month we will be spotlighting a professional who is doing incredible work in increasing diversity.
Today it brings me such joy to present to you all, Dr. Ashlee C Fowlkes, LGBTQ+ Sensitivity and Transgender Inclusion Expert and the founder of Fowlkes Consulting. Let’s dive into the interview.
Question: How did you get started in DEI work and increasing diversity?
I am a licensed clinical psychologist. While I was completing my studies, I worked in the prison system. While working in the prisons I realized a genuine need for diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts explicitly directed toward the LGBTQ+ inmate population. Some of the things that I heard from inmates during therapy sessions were alarming to me, and I felt the need to do everything in my power to create a safe space within the prison system for LGBTQ+ inmates. And so, to that end, I offered to begin providing LGBTQ+ sensitivity training in the prison system. I quickly realized that the need extended far beyond the prison walls, and the rest is history. I now have a team of consultants, and we facilitate training in multiple sectors to include healthcare, aerospace, retail, and financial, to name a few.
Question: Tell us a little bit about who you are and why you are in this work.
My own lived experience led me here. I am a quadruple minority. I am Black, transgender, omnisexual, and polyamorous. I'm keenly aware of what it is like to have all, some, or none of your identities embraced. I'm also acutely aware of the difference between being tolerated, accepted, or celebrated. I grew up in a deeply religious household, and I know the toll of being unable to find solace in faith. I have had the "demon of homosexuality" cast out of me. Do you know the impact that has on the psyche? I struggle to articulate the level of internalized homophobia and transphobia that is born of such actions. And so, I came to realize at a relatively young age that people need to have a safe place to be. A place of refuge. A place void of animus. In most instances, we can't control a person's home environment and whether they're safe there. But often, we can make a meaningful difference in terms of whether a person is safe in the workplace. And, given that many of us spend 40+ hours a week at work, if we can create safety in the workplace, we can create safety in a considerable portion of a person's life.
Question: Who are you serving through your work in Fowlkes Consulting?
Being seen, affirmed, and validated are what I consider "quality of life" issues. People often talk about being able to bring their whole selves to work. But this can't just be something that we place on a bumper sticker. We must engage in meaningful action if we are to create a place where it is safe for someone to bring their whole self to work. I work with some of the largest most respected companies in the world, and I feel like in my own little way (and perhaps I am minimizing my impact by framing it in that way), I am lightening the load for some individuals that would otherwise go unnoticed. I am spotlighting the needs of individuals that might otherwise have their needs go unidentified. I am helping organizations take tangible steps to correct for how their culture has perpetuated a sense of some being the "other" when their intention or desire is to foster a sense of belonging for all employees.
Question: How are you increasing representation? How does your organization help companies increase diversity?
Representation matters; I genuinely believe that. That's why I led with identifying myself as a quadruple minority and explaining the ways in which I have minority status. It's important for people to see Black people, trans people, omni people, and poly people that are successful. I am the CEO of a global consulting firm. I write for Forbes on the topics of LGBTQ+ sensitivity, transgender inclusion and allyship. So in that way, I feel my very existence in this space, on the level in which I've been fortunate enough to show up, is increasing representation. I am an LGBTQ+ Subject Matter Expert. I help companies increase their knowledge and understanding of the LGBTQ+ community and create an environment in which they attract the best and the brightest from the LGBTQ+ community. My company helps organizations increase diversity by creating safe places for diverse voices to rise and for people to show up in the fullness of their multi-faceted, multidimensional selves.
Some like to say, "If you build it, they will come." I like to say, "If you build it, they will come. If it is safe, they will stay."
Question: What products/services do you offer to employers to help them do this work? How can people get in contact with you?
At Fowlkes Consulting, we provide LGBTQ+ sensitivity training as well as transgender inclusion training. Our training covers a wide variety of areas, from foundational 101 workshops to more nuanced, higher-order discussions. We are able to meet the organization wherever they are and help take them to the next level of thoughtful and intentional action.
In addition to LGBTQ+ specific offerings, we have recently begun offering an Allyship Series that is perfect for companies that would like to foster an environment of allyship in the workplace. Often I find in my work that individuals desire to be allies but lack a firm understanding of "how-to" actually stand in allyship. I have developed a 2-part allyship series that answers this very question. In this series, you learn tangible ways to show allyship and align yourself in a meaningful way with others. In a world that is so focused on self-preservation, it can be easy to forsake allyship. Still, deep down in our hearts, we must know that not only do we have a responsibility to be an ally to others but that it is only a matter of time before we need an ally ourselves, no matter our stature. We are excited about this new and transformative offering.
There are a few ways to connect with me and follow my work:
Email: afowlkes@fowlkesconsulting.com
I hope you enjoyed today’s article as much as I did. I admire Dr. Fowlkes heart and passion for increasing diversity.
If you know anyone who should be featured in our Increase Diversity Spotlight Series, email TeamJTC at info@jennifertardy.com or drop us a line in the comments section.
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