In a significant contribution to the evolving global discourse on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Jennifer Brown and Rohit Bhargava have released their new book, Beyond Diversity: 12 Non-Obvious Ways to Build a More Inclusive World. This seminal work challenges conventional approaches to fostering inclusivity, advocating for a paradigm shift that prioritizes the discovery of shared human experiences alongside the acknowledgment and support of distinct identities. The book’s central premise, elegantly introduced through a powerful social experiment, underscores the often-overlooked necessity of identifying common ground as a fundamental step towards creating truly inclusive environments. It posits that a deeper understanding of intersectionality, defined as the recognition that individuals are shaped by a combination of social identities rather than a single label, is crucial for moving beyond superficial diversity metrics to genuine belonging.
The Shifting Landscape of Diversity and Inclusion
The past decade has witnessed an unprecedented acceleration in global conversations surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion. From corporate boardrooms to educational institutions and public policy forums, organizations worldwide have committed significant resources to address systemic inequalities and foster more equitable environments. However, despite increased awareness and investment, many initiatives continue to grapple with fundamental challenges. A common critique, articulated by Brown and Bhargava, is the tendency for these conversations to inadvertently emphasize differences, leading to a "splintered approach" that, while well-intentioned, can inadvertently create silos rather than bridges.
This perspective is particularly relevant given the vast sums invested in DEI. According to a 2023 report by Grand View Research, the global diversity and inclusion market size was valued at USD 10.3 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.9% from 2023 to 2030. Despite this substantial financial commitment, many organizations still struggle with tangible outcomes, such as persistent representation gaps at senior levels, pay disparities, and a lack of authentic belonging felt by marginalized groups. The authors suggest that part of this struggle stems from an overemphasis on categorizing and separating individuals based on singular identity markers, rather than exploring the rich tapestry of human experience that connects us all.
Intersectionality: A Foundation for Deeper Understanding
At the heart of Beyond Diversity lies the concept of intersectionality, a term originally coined by American civil rights advocate and legal scholar Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw in 1989. Crenshaw developed the framework to explain how race, class, gender, and other individual characteristics "intersect" with one another and overlap, creating unique dynamics of discrimination and disadvantage. For example, a Black woman experiences discrimination not just as a Black person or as a woman, but as a Black woman, facing specific challenges at the intersection of those identities.
Brown and Bhargava extend this academic concept into practical application, arguing that embracing intersectionality is not merely about acknowledging compound marginalization, but also about recognizing the multifaceted nature of every individual’s identity. This requires a "wide-angle lens" approach, moving beyond simplistic labels to appreciate the complex interplay of experiences, perspectives, and challenges that define each person. The authors contend that understanding this intricate web of identities is paramount for cultivating genuine empathy and dismantling unconscious biases that often operate below the surface of single-category DEI initiatives.
Data consistently supports the complexity of identity. For instance, a 2020 Pew Research Center study highlighted that a significant portion of the U.S. population identifies with multiple minority groups, such as LGBTQ+ people of color, or women with disabilities. These individuals often navigate unique challenges that are not fully captured by initiatives focused on single dimensions of identity. By advocating for an intersectional framework, Beyond Diversity aims to equip leaders and organizations with the tools to address these nuanced realities more effectively.
The "All That We Share" Experiment: A Viral Revelation
The book’s introduction powerfully illustrates its core philosophy through the Danish social experiment, "All That We Share," conceived and filmed by TV2 Denmark. Released in January 2017, the campaign quickly achieved global virality, accumulating nearly 300 million views across various platforms and earning a prestigious Gold Cannes Lion award for its innovative approach to social commentary.
Chronology and Context: The advertisement premiered during a period of heightened social and political polarization across Europe and globally, marked by debates on immigration, national identity, and cultural integration. Against this backdrop, TV2, one of Denmark’s most-watched family of channels, sought to promote a message of unity and shared humanity. The campaign was orchestrated by the Danish advertising agency &Co. and directed by Jeppe Rønde, aiming to underscore the idea that despite apparent differences, people share fundamental human experiences.
The Experiment Unfolds: The scene opens on a large soundstage where diverse groups of people—tattooed individuals, healthcare professionals, an all-White group, and a visibly multi-ethnic group—stand awkwardly apart. The initial tension is palpable, a visual metaphor for societal divisions. A host then engages them with a series of questions designed to transcend superficial categorizations. Questions like "Who was the class clown?", "Who are stepparents?", "Who has been bullied?", "Who has been a bully?", and "Who feels lonely?" elicit unexpected responses. With each question, individuals from different initial groups step forward, revealing shared experiences. As they gather, a sense of camaraderie emerges, culminating in embraces and group photographs that symbolize newfound connections.
Impact and Reception: The video’s immense success was not merely a testament to clever advertising but a profound reflection of a universal yearning for connection. Its resonance stemmed from its ability to strip away preconceived notions and expose the common threads that bind humanity. Critics and social commentators lauded the campaign for its simplicity and emotional power, demonstrating that empathy could be fostered by focusing on shared vulnerabilities and triumphs rather than emphasizing what divides. The campaign effectively proved that commonality is often hidden beneath the surface of apparent differences, waiting to be discovered through intentional inquiry and dialogue.
A Critique of Siloed DEI Efforts
Brown and Bhargava acknowledge the critical role of identity-specific conferences and initiatives in the DEI landscape. Platforms dedicated to racial justice, gender equity, LGBTQ+ advocacy, ageism, and disability rights provide invaluable safe spaces for marginalized communities to share experiences, build solidarity, and advance specific causes. These forums are essential for elevating voices that have historically been suppressed and for driving targeted systemic change.
However, the authors contend that these "often-insular conversations" are not sufficient to build a truly inclusive world. Their critique centers on the observation that while these gatherings are vital for support and advocacy within specific groups, they can inadvertently perpetuate a "splintered approach" by limiting cross-group understanding. This focus on only one aspect of identity, they argue, "prevents the opportunity to better understand ourselves and others outside that one label."
This limitation is particularly salient in corporate environments, where Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) often serve as vital community hubs for specific identity groups. While highly effective in fostering belonging within those groups, a lack of intentional intersectional engagement between ERGs can sometimes reinforce existing silos rather than promoting broader organizational cohesion. The book’s analysis implies that for DEI efforts to mature, they must transcend these well-meaning but ultimately limiting boundaries, fostering dialogue and collaboration across diverse identity groups.
Towards a "Wide-Angle Lens": Bridging Divides
To counter the "splintered approach," Beyond Diversity advocates for adopting a "wide-angle lens" – a framework that actively seeks to bring disparate groups and perspectives together. This approach is not about diminishing the importance of individual identities but rather about recognizing the power of collective understanding and shared purpose.
The authors propose imagining conferences, virtual events, or corporate programs specifically designed to facilitate interactions between individuals from vastly different identity groups who are united by a common commitment to equity. They pose evocative questions to illustrate this:
- "How would someone fighting to end gender pay gaps relate to a disabled gamer demanding more accessible experiences?"
- "What would an advocate for racial literacy in schools say to a researcher studying how to end age-related biases at work?"
- "What might a local business fighting to expand broadband internet access for those living on Native American reservations ask a community organizer imagining how to transform a neglected local park into a vibrant urban garden?"
These examples highlight the potential for powerful synergies when advocates for different dimensions of equity engage in cross-pollination of ideas and strategies. Such interactions can reveal unexpected commonalities in their struggles, shared systemic root causes, and innovative solutions that might emerge from diverse perspectives. This approach aligns with the growing recognition that many social justice issues are interconnected, and their solutions often require collaborative, multi-faceted efforts.
For organizations, this translates into designing inclusive initiatives that intentionally foster cross-group dialogue. This could involve creating "intersectionality labs," cross-functional mentorship programs that pair individuals from different identity groups, or leadership training modules that emphasize empathy and perspective-taking across diverse experiences. The goal is to cultivate an environment where understanding is built not just within groups, but robustly between them.
The Genesis of "Beyond Diversity": A Collaborative Endeavor
The inspiration for Beyond Diversity emerged from a deeply collaborative process. In late 2020, as the world grappled with profound social and political upheaval, Jennifer Brown and Rohit Bhargava conceived the idea of a one-day virtual event. Their vision was to convene a diverse array of a dozen or so diversity and inclusion experts from various fields, aiming to explore novel approaches to fostering inclusivity.
This initial concept rapidly gained momentum, evolving into a whirlwind of "hundreds of conversations and 20-hour-days" over several months. The intensive period of dialogue and synthesis ultimately culminated in a groundbreaking gathering of voices, which directly inspired the themes and "non-obvious ways" explored in the book. The authors’ commitment to "listening" as a foundational principle from the outset reflects the very ethos of their work – that true understanding begins with open receptivity to diverse perspectives. This iterative and collaborative approach to research and development underscores the book’s authenticity and its grounding in practical, expert insights.
Jennifer Brown, a renowned DEI consultant and author of Inclusion: Diversity, The New Workplace & The Will To Change, brings extensive experience in guiding organizations toward inclusive transformation. Rohit Bhargava, a best-selling author and founder of the Non-Obvious Company, specializes in identifying future trends and has a track record of challenging conventional wisdom. Their combined expertise provides a robust framework for Beyond Diversity, blending deep knowledge of DEI practice with a forward-thinking, analytical approach to societal trends.
A New Era of Inclusive Leadership
Vernā Myers, Vice President of Inclusion Strategy at Netflix, famously articulated the distinction between diversity and inclusion: "diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance." Brown and Bhargava build upon this powerful metaphor, pushing the concept further by asking: "what if everyone was not only invited to the party and asked to dance, but also left with a mixtape filled with music they would love, but had never had the chance to hear before?"
This "mixtape" metaphor encapsulates the ultimate aspiration of Beyond Diversity: to create environments where individuals not only feel seen and valued for who they are but also discover unexpected connections and broaden their understanding of others. It speaks to a deeper form of inclusion that transcends mere tolerance or representation, fostering genuine curiosity, empathy, and mutual appreciation.
Beyond Diversity: 12 Non-Obvious Ways to Build a More Inclusive World offers a timely and critical intervention in the ongoing global conversation about creating a more equitable society. By advocating for an intersectional, "wide-angle lens" approach that actively seeks common ground without diminishing individual differences, Brown and Bhargava provide a compelling roadmap for leaders, organizations, and individuals committed to building truly inclusive communities. The book challenges readers to move beyond traditional, often siloed, DEI strategies, urging them to embrace the complexity of human identity and the transformative power of shared experience. Its insights are poised to inspire a new generation of inclusive leadership, capable of forging connections that celebrate both our unique identities and our profound shared humanity.
