The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) offered a masterful class on a subject that has gotten much attention this past year, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI). Nicola Finley, MD, was the featured speaker in a virtual program, The Doctor is Inclusive. Tonia Callender, a GWI research fellow, also shared her experience with race and Wellness.
A friend of mine had worked in the DEI space for years at a large insurance company long before it became part of the public discourse. We’ve had many conversations about her work and her company’s interest in managing a large dynamic, global workforce. I learned diversity covers many people and just about anyone if you go beyond the surface. It can include race, sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, age, and more.
We can all find Wellness in many places, and oddly enough, there are real challenges to access and inclusion for people of color. We can enjoy a luxurious, expensive destination spa vacation. We can find Wellness in a Yoga class and even in a knitting circle in a local yarn store. Like everyone else, we seek to find ourselves in nature, in a great massage, and while swimming. Many enjoy hikes and exercise classes. Some people embrace it while managing businesses. Race shouldn’t be a deterrent or obstacle in our path to Wellness, but it can be. We heard many heartfelt, poignant stories from people of color trying to traverse life and many challenges to just be well.
I’m happy the GWI had the foresight to start a conversation about DEI and Wellness. In this new series, a wonderful and necessary conversation has begun among wellness professionals.
The GWI has generously shared this August 3, 2021 link to the recording of the session.
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