Diversity & inclusion - why does it matter?

Welcome to this week's DM Weekly Digest - enjoy a list of the diversity & inclusion stories that have caught our eye over the last week!

Disability hiring hesitancy is a problem young leaders can solve

Denise Brodey discusses whether there is a lack of disabled talent or a lack of people who know how to work with disabled talent? Read or listen to this article here.

Built on the bodies of slaves: how Africa was erased from the history of the modern world

The creation of the modern, interconnected world is generally credited to European pioneers. But Africa was the wellspring for almost everything they achieved – and African lives were the terrible cost. Read more here.

Baroness Sue Campbell hails 'ambitious plan' to improve disability football as FA launches Football Your Way

Football Association announce 'Football Your Way' initiative that aims to help develop, improve and raise awareness of disability football in England; Baroness Sue Campbell calls it a "very ambitious plan" that will drive change. Find out more here.

Is there LGBTQ+ discrimination in STEM academia?

Do LGBTQ+ academics still feel pressured to hide their identity in STEM academia, even in 2021? Find out here.

John Barnes on racism and society: ‘There are invisible banana skins’

The former England winger discusses silent pillars of prejudice and why there aren’t more black football managers here.

Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies asserts the 'T' in LGBTQ

Read more about his fiery speech here.

Jon Gruden resigns as Las Vegas Raiders head coach after racist, homophobic and misogynistic emails revealed

Jon Gruden has resigned as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders in the wake of further allegations of offensive emails. Find out more here.

Liverpool teacher shortlisted for $1m global teacher prize

David Swanston, who has pioneered new ways of teaching sports to visually-impaired children, is in final shortlist of 10 for award. Read more about his inspiring work here.

Racism in the music industry 'is upfront and personal'

Racism in the British music industry is "serious, upfront and personal", says the author of a new report about the experiences of black musicians. Read more here.

‘People shunned me like hot lava’: the runner who raised his fist and risked his life

At the 1968 Olympics, Tommie Smith, winner of the men’s 200 metres, stood on the podium and lifted his hand to protest racism. That moment would end his running career – and shake the world. A brilliant article with Tommie Smith here.

Michael Johnson: ‘You’re going to see athletes protesting the centres of power’

The former Olympic sprint champion and broadcaster is launching Defiance, a documentary-style podcast series that focuses on athletes who have made a stand against social injustice. Find out more about the podcast here.

UK MP disturbed by football's 'racism problem' after violent Hungary clashes

A senior member of the UK's governing Conservative Party said football has a racism problem after Hungary fans were involved in violent clashes with police during a World Cup qualifier with England at Wembley. A shocking story here.

The National Trust has needlessly provoked an ‘anti-woke’ campaign

If the trust’s properties have slavery links, we should know. Yet to attack Churchill played into the hands of culture warriors. Read this opinion piece here.

Jacky Wright and Marcus Rashford in Top 10 most powerful black Britons

Microsoft chief digital officer heads Powerlist 2022, with Netflix vice-president and Emmy and Oscar winners also named. Find the list here.