Race matters at DTCC. Employees of color frequently cover themselves in the workplace, which is the act of concealing an aspect of one’s self to avoid making other people feel uncomfortable or to lessen attention to a given characteristic. Black and Brown employees at DTCC and other places, often live a completely bifurcated life inside and outside of work and the two worlds often collide during moments of crisis. A spike in emotional tax on these employees, particularly when violence erupts as the result of exposing the disparity of policing of People of Color. Through these moments of extreme stress, black and brown employees often don’t feel comfortable with expressing their feelings of sadness, fear and anger as one would during national disasters or tragedies because they believe they have to cover.

Our challenge is to engage all employees in providing the necessary support and safe space for our colleagues in a form they never had before.

Statements on DTCC’s stand against racism, support for employees of color and the acknowledgment of the predicament were made by the Head of Diverse Talent Management & Advancement (DTMA), DTCC’s CEO and its Board of Directors. The DTMA team has organized a series of events and offered resources meant to provide a view into everyday minority experiences and the impacts of systemic racism on the lives of our Black and Brown colleagues. As DTMA continues the effort at the organizational level, we have provided our people managers and leaders with guidelines to have these conversations within their own teams.

• Perspectives: A Discussion with Black & Brown Employees Session I (males) and II (females) - companywide facilitated exercise to hear from Black and Brown employees discussing their experience with unfair policing practices. External Facilitator: Robin Gerald, Catalyst
• Educational Resources Page On The D&I Intranet
• Planned:
• Safe Space Small Group Discussions With Employees Of Color - series of group discussions with employees of color to help them navigate the emotional tax of covering. First session with Debra Elam, Consultant and former Chief Diversity Officer at GE
• Become An Ally & Learn How To Be An Effective One - small group presentations and discussion detailing how to become better allies. Self-paced or virtually facilitated, perhaps by department.
• Managing Your Mental Health During A Crisis - keynote to give tips and remind employees of our resources (i.e. – EAP) for self-care during a crisis.
• Fireside chat with former Tampa Bay police officer - firmwide discussion with a 20-year veteran of the Tampa Bay Police force discussing how he is trying to bridge the disparity between policing in poor and ethnic communities.
• Keynote Briefing from Congresswoman Joyce Beatty - host a firmwide keynote briefing with Rep Joyce Beatty, whom was recently pepper–sprayed while protesting peacefully in Columbus, OH, where she will provide an update on her efforts with the sub-committee on diversity (pending confirmation)

The first of the Perspective series of conversations comprised honest expressions of the panelists, both Black and Hispanic / Latino. This was an important first step for us at DTCC to foster honest intentional dialogue. At the peak of the event, 548 participants were tuned into this virtual conversation.

Prachee Kale