Variosity Institute For Inclusive Excellence

10/01/2025

Inclusion is still and always good for business. Another reason the current kurfufle over “DEI hires” is misleading, inaccurate, and harmful to people and the places where they work and where we shop.

07/03/2025

DEI is as American as America itself!

“Diversity, equity, and inclusion are American values. The motto of the United States of America is e pluribus unum. Out of many, one. That’s diversity. The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution—one of the most important amendments in our country—provides equal protection under the law. That’s equity. In this country, we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And in that pledge, we promise, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. A-L-L. That’s inclusion. Not complicated. Diversity, equity and inclusion are American values.” — Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representtatives.

05/15/2025

Remember that no matter how close or powerful the darkness feels, “Close your eyes. Feel it. The light... it's always been there. It will guide you." Be part of the light. (Credit to originator)

05/05/2025

Hopeful/helpful news. “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” — Wm. Shakespeare. https://

"Although companies may be renaming, rebranding and shifting focus from some DEI work, it is clear that the majority are remaining committed to sustaining the momentum of the past five years," said Olivia Knight of As You Sow, an advocate for environmental and social responsibility.

02/16/2025

This is a difficult time. If your organization or its team members are feeling demoralized or confused right now, you’re not alone. I’m not done speaking, writing, coaching, or consulting about inclusive excellence and how it improves our work lives. The poet Robert Frost wrote “the only way out is through.” I offer historical perspective, motivation, and coaching to find or improve your organization’s own inclusive excellence.

01/28/2025

With more than 400,000 members, “the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional association in the world.” Its President just emailed its members, taking a strong stand in favor of continued inclusion. See below for excerpt.

09/09/2024

I see that Ford Motor Co. has made the decision to “scale back” its DEI initiatives. Somehow, that’s not surprising to me. Many years ago, when I was defending Ford in lawsuits across the country, an Assistant or Associate General Counsel came to Orlando to meet our team. He later asked my mentor “Is Larry queer?”. At that point, I had been called a “superstar”, I had sat at Henry Ford II’s desk and been entrusted with the highest level of internal documents. We had not lost a single case where I stood in front of the jury. But, I was “queer”. So, suddenly, my upward trajectory changed. I could still prepare cases, but I would need a younger, different —a/k/a straight — partner to sit in the first chair and serve as the leader of the trial team. Eventually, I gave up, reinvented myself, found my own clients to whom my s*xual orientation was not an issue, and spent the last 15 years recognized by my peers as a “SuperLawyer”. A couple of years ago, I penned a letter to the General Counsel of Ford, explaining my experience, congratulated him on the DEI progress at Ford, and offered to speak or help further those efforts; I never received the courtesy of a reply, much less an opportunity to make a difference. So, when I hear that the company is watering down its DEI program, I suspect that it was simply waiting for an excuse or cover to do what it wanted to do, all along. In time, that will change for Ford and for the other organizations that have succumbed to the political and cultural anti-DEI viral outbreak that this country is experiencing. I feel for the diverse employees there who must quietly endure, again, the feeling of devaluation and exclusion. And, so, I’ll continue to write, speak, and advocate for change.

08/26/2024

As we celebrate Women’s Equality Day, let’s take a moment to reflect on the “equity” part of DEI.

08/12/2024

Honored to organize and participate in this awesome panel in Toronto last week about “diversity fatigue” and the personal impact of cultural, legal, and political backlash against DEI programs and initiatives. Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel. I am available for DEI leadership and related events, including coaching and inspirational speaking. Send me a private message at [email protected] for details. Larry

06/27/2024

Leonard Matlovich's tombstone reads: "When I was in the military they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one." So, a great injustice righted today. No matter your color, your s*x, your orientation, your religion, or your anything else, if you serve your country with honor, you deserve to be honored by your country.

     Our Nation has made tremendous progress in advancing the cause of equality for LGBTQI+ Americans, including in the military.  Despite their courage and great sacrifice, thousands of LGBTQI+ service members were forced out of the military because of their s*xual orientation or gender identit...