Using The Business of Race as a Workbook

We’ve taken the complex and emotionally charged topics of race and racism, and distilled them into digestible chunks for the busy professional. While you might be tempted to read The Business of Race in one sitting, we suggest you read one chapter or part at a time. This approach will allow opportunities for reflection. We help you do this by ending each chapter with a handful of questions. You might want to use The Business of Race as a personal journal or workbook; a place to jot down your thoughts so you can recall them later or discuss with others in the workplace, book club, or classroom.

Let’s begin now.

Take a moment and reflect on why you have this book in your hands. Maybe it’s because you ethically believe addressing systemic racism is the right thing to do, but you don’t know where to begin. Maybe your company has made a public #BLM (Black Lives Matter) statement, but now what? Perhaps you’re getting pressure from your board, boss, employees, or spouse to use your positional influence to create meaningful change. Or, you want to avoid another discrimination lawsuit. Possibly you’re frustrated with all the talk and media attention on race and racism, with little to show in substantive difference.

Regardless of why you picked up this book, you are about to embark on a journey. A journey that will be both exciting and daunting. One that is fraught with missteps and filled with surprising giant steps. A journey that is both self-reflective and other-focused. In the space below, write down the reason why you picked up The Business of Race. It will serve as a convenient guidepost.

My “why”:____________________________________________