The natural products industry, having long been a leader in driving food and healthy lifestyle trends, is uniquely positioned to lead the types of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) efforts that will generate systemic social and economic change.
Since 2019, J.E.D.I Collaborative, a project of One Step Closer (OSC), has provided natural products companies and leaders the resources to actualize J.E.D.I. efforts through strategic educational and training programs. Alongside OSC's role as an industry catalyst in addressing climate and sustainable packaging, J.E.D.I Collaborative is a manifestation of the multifaceted work the entire industry needs to engage in to realize a just, inclusive and regenerative future for all.
J.E.D.I Collaborative envisions a natural products industry that centers at its core justice, equity, diversity and inclusion to ensure the industry incorporates these objectives:
- All people feel welcome in the natural products industry by being able to participate in it and feel justly treated.
- Communities that support the industry thrive.
- Employees feel inspired and valued.
- Innovation is sparked by a diversity of identities and perspectives, which leads to growth and profitability.
- Voices of marginalized communities are amplified in all conversations and decisions.
- Products are accessible to those who most need them.
- The industry understands how social and environmental justice are interconnected and works to address both issues.
- Companies serve as role models as a force for good in the world.
By focusing on supporting allies in building the skills, awareness and knowledge to engage in J.E.D.I. work with impacted communities and leaders, J.E.D.I Collaborative aims to empower companies and leaders to increase their capacity to create space for and work alongside underrepresented communities to thrive in the natural products industry.
J.E.D.I Collaborative offers four training programs, the Pathways to Action, tailored for natural products industry companies:
- Self-Guided Pathway is a free online resource for organizational leaders ready to begin integrating J.E.D.I. work into their organization. The course outlines a 10-step J.E.D.I. journey.
- Jumpstart Pathway is a four-month, paced online course for organizational leaders ready to begin integrating J.E.D.I. work into their organization. The course leads participants through the first five steps of the J.E.D.I. journey: leadership buy-in, forming a J.E.D.I. committee, foundational J.E.D.I. education, writing a J.E.D.I. statement and identifying J.E.D.I. commitments.
- Trailblazer Pathway is a nine-month facilitated program for organizational leaders facilitating a companywide J.E.D.I. Committee. These leaders should be ready to build J.E.D.I. leadership skills and develop a robust J.E.D.I. action plan.
- The CEO Action Initiative is a five-month facilitated program for CEOs, founders and presidents of natural products companies wanting to operationalize J.E.D.I. change in their organizations while learning from executive peers with J.E.D.I. experience.
The next Trailblazer Pathway cohort begins Wednesday, Feb. 15. Learn more and apply here.
J.E.D.I. Collaborative will host three sessions at Natural Products Expo West. Pathways to Anti-Racist Leadership is at 10 a.m. PT, Wednesday, March 8, Â in Grand Ballroom E at the Marriott. At 11 a.m. on the same day, Activate Your J.E.D.I. Journey: Resources and Networking begins in Elite Ballroom 1 at the Marriott.
The third session, Empowering Womxn in Lead(Her)ship for the Future of Food, is at 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 10, in Grand Ballroom E at the Marriott.
To learn more about this program and others, as well as a broad variety of brands, visit ExpoWest.com. To see registration options, including those for virtual access, click here.
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