Decentering Whiteness in the Workplace - by Janice Gassam Asare (Paperback)

About the Book

"Top Forbes writer and DEI consultant explores how whiteness is often centered in the workplace and how individuals and organizations can work to decenter it. Decentering Whiteness in the Workplace exposes how pervasive white-centering is in the modern American workplace and explores how we can work toward decentering whiteness, unpacking the ways that a person can contribute both individually and systemically to the white-centering that occurs in workplace settings. Very few books in the DEI and antiracism space focus on the ways that whiteness is centered. There are often fears within corporate spaces about talking candidly, openly, and honestly about whiteness, white supremacy, and anti-blackness. This book provides a direct and straightforward analysis about what white-centering is, some of the different ways that whiteness is centered in the workplace, how to decenter whiteness within oneself, and how to decenter whiteness at work"--

Book Synopsis

Your DEIJ efforts are stagnating because you continue to center whiteness. Creating a truly anti-racist organization requires learning how to identify and rectify the systemic, and often unconscious, centering of white culture and values in the workplace.

Corporate America continues to struggle with racial equity in a post-George Floyd world. As the U.S. becomes more diverse and the public consciousness continues to shift, there is a greater need for successful racial equity efforts in the workplace.

Decentering Whiteness in the Workplace exposes the ways that white culture and expectations are centered in the modern American workplace and the fears within corporate spaces about talking candidly, openly, and honestly about whiteness, white supremacy, and anti-blackness.

Readers will discover:

• A direct and straightforward analysis about what white-centering is
• An evaluation of the different ways that whiteness is centered in the workplace such as bereavement and holiday policies to dress code
• A guide on how to recognize and decenter whiteness within oneself and at work
• Solutions for people to contribute individually and systemically to anti-oppression

Decentering Whiteness in the Workplace provides a crucial guidebook with practical solutions for leaders, DEI practitioners, and anyone hoping to truly create an anti-racist workplace.

Review Quotes

"Dr. Janice Gassam Asare is the voice of our generation. Her boldness to speak truth to power will help current and future generations. Decentering Whiteness in the Workplace is a necessary read for all leaders who truly want an equitable workplace."
--Minda Harts, bestselling author and workplace consultant

"This book--composed by a champion in the realm of diversity, equity, and inclusion--should serve as a navigation for readers who are actively seeking to improve their environment."
--Dr. Eli Joseph, author, professional speaker, and faculty instructor at Columbia University, New York University, and the University of California, Los Angeles

"Janice breaks down succinctly how prevalent the centering of whiteness is in the workplace. This thoughtful, readable, and detailed book will undoubtedly help leaders find the gaps in their organization's DEI initiatives by understanding the issues at a deeper foundational level."
--Adjoa Michelle Saahene, activist, speaker, and inclusion and wellness strategist

"Dr. Gassam Asare has written a text that prepares us for the next level of anti-oppression work. She takes the time to address the barriers that continuously limit workplace safety and provides us with dynamic color and prose that allows us to imagine the possibilities."
--Joquina M. Reed, workplace consultant and decolonial educator

About the Author

Dr. Janice Gassam Asare is a journalist, speaker, trainer, consultant, and podcaster. Her Forbes articles have had 7+ million page views in the past four years. Her writing has also appeared in Harvard Business Review, Insider, and FastCompany. She has over 100,000 social media followers, and she has 23,000 subscribers to her YouTube channel. She does speaking and training engagements 50 times per year. Janice began her career in business as a training coordinator, organization development associate, bank teller, and human resources intern. Janice is a LinkedIn Learning and Udemy Business course instructor and was named a LinkedIn Top Voice in Racial Equity. She earned a PhD in Applied Organizational Psychology and was an assistant professor of management at Sacred Heart University. In 2022, she left academia to focus on her consultancy.