Inside Inclusity
Oftentimes, it is not what we “know” about an individual that brings people together and creates understanding but what we don’t know. Herein lies the good stuff: What makes us distinctive? What do we have in common? What is important to us and why? Through this interview series, we hope to acquaint you with our team members and why Inclusity.
Maria Arcocha White
Maria’s life story begins in Cuba. During Fidel Castro’s regime, Maria, along with her parents and siblings fled their homeland and moved to Toledo, Ohio. She suddenly found herself living in a new country where she could not speak the language, did not look like the other four-year old children in the neighborhood and practiced different customs at home. Fast forward to today: Maria Arcocha White is the founder and CEO of Inclusity, wife, mother to three, philanthropist, jewelry artist and so much more.
Who inspires you and why?
In modern day, Oprah Winfrey. She is amazing – courageous, entrepreneurial and does so much good. With all her success, she remains humble and serves as a remarkable role model. I would love to meet her!
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would that be? And why?
I recently traveled to Jerusalem and would go back. Greece— the history, diversity and food— is incredible. A return trip to Venice would also be in order; it is unique in how it is located and cannot change – a vista into what the world was like. Australia is somewhere I have never been and would love to see.
What is your favorite book and why?
Oh, that is a tough one. I am an avid reader. In fact, I have loved so many books that I have read that they are now boxed up awaiting the days when I can read them all again! My single favorite book is Love You Forever by Robert Munsch. I read this book to my children (when they were little) all the time. Just thinking about it makes me tear up!
What brings you joy?
Love, family, the work that we do, music, faith, fun, friends…
Name your three favorite foods:
Well, it might have been a different answer before my recent trip to Israel. We had these amazing shawarma sandwiches made with chicken wrapped in pita bread with veggies and sauce. And, there is always pizza and ice cream.
What is something that is not commonly known about you?
Although I love plants and gardening, my green thumb is brown. I just replace or replant a couple of times a year, and voila!
What does inclusion mean to you?
That every single person feels valued and appreciated for their gift and talents. Inclusion defines cultures where every team member wants to come to work each day because they know that they add value that only they can bring.
How do you see inclusion changing the future of diversity?
Inclusion is the future of diversity. Diversity is a fact; every time two or more people are together, there is diversity. Inclusion is what allows diversity to be fully realized, but it doesn’t just happen – it takes work on everyone’s part. We have seen what diversity without inclusion brings – turnover, frustration, and low energy workplaces. inclusion will change the world by creating environments in which all people can fulfill their potential.
Why did you start Inclusity?
When I started working in the diversity space almost 40 years ago, I did not realize that by focusing primarily on race and gender (visible diversity) we would unintentionally exclude people who did not represent racial and gender diversity. We also did not anticipate that EEOC laws would be misinterpreted, causing people to hire or promote people to fill real or imagined “quotas.” And we certainly did not realize that a focus on visible diversity would not change workplace culture and that, as a result, our organizations would become revolving doors where many individuals did not feel valued.
I started Inclusity because I believed that it was time to shift our focus from visible diversity to all diversity. I believed that if we created inclusive cultures, all diverse people would join organizations, feel valued and respected, stay, grow, learn and eventually lead. Our approach is proving to be correct. It may take a little longer to achieve inclusion, but we are confident that if you create it, then diversity of all kinds will thrive. And that is the ultimate goal!
