BCAMA and POCAM partnered to explore what meaningful representation looks like in today’s workplace. Bringing together voices from diverse backgrounds, the panel examined how underrepresented communities — whether defined by ethnicity, gender, or identity — are often overlooked when it comes to opportunities for growth and advancement. As DEI statistics show an increase in reported microaggressions and a decrease in companies incorporating DEI policies into their operations, the conversation delved into why fostering an inclusive workplace is not just important, but necessary.
Moderated by Matthew Tsang, Co-Founder of AndHumanity, the panel featured Yogi Omar, Manager of Diversity, Inclusion, and Talent Development at Rethink, and Stephanie Redivo, Employee Experience & EDI Director at Translink.
What does the average BIPOC individual experience at work?
To truly understand the big picture, Matthew opened the panel with the results of POCAM’s 6th “Visible and Vocal” signature study – the Canadian advertising and marketing study by BIPOC professionals, for BIPOC professionals. According to the study, 66% of respondents believe that there is racial bias in predominantly white industries. Additionally, 81% experienced microaggressions at work, a notable increase of 17% compared to the year prior. It is a clear, ongoing issue that organizations need to address in their hiring and promotion process. Otherwise, there is a risk of slow erosion of opportunities for minorities to grow and thrive in their careers.
Why do the panelists care about the situation?
Stephanie opened up by discussing her experience growing up in a primarily white community and noticing the lack of representation firsthand. Having a daughter who is half Asian, she advocates for EDI in the workplace to help create a better future for the next generation — one where they have better opportunities and a fairer experience in the workplace.
Yogi, who had worked in the film industry since the age of two, often experienced being the only queer and POC in the room. He advocates for more representation as a mirror of encouragement for the younger generation to give themselves a shot in the industry. He also emphasized the importance of being an ally by speaking up in workplace environments where underrepresented communities’ voices are not heard.
The importance of representation at work
Stephanie stresses that public perception is important and being responsible for it requires research. She notes from personal research the impacts of a male-dominated industry. While this may not seem significant on the surface, when interviewing male workers, she asked whether they would want their daughters working in their field — a simple question that gave many of them pause. This confirms how EDI affects the average worker’s mindset in ways they might least expect, and we must be meaningful and intentional with change, even when progress feels frustratingly slow.
What does being a good ally look like?
Yogi expressed workplace allyship starting at the interview stage, by making a point of asking questions not typically addressed in a traditional interview setting, such as minority representation at the company. This reflects his commitment to being ethical about which companies he works with – as being ignorant of such statistics doesn’t support minorities; it alienates them.
How does AI fit into the diversity agenda?
If anyone were to prompt an AI tool to generate an image of a happy family, it would default to a traditional white family without asking about the ethnic background of the individuals to be depicted. This is another form of erasure, embedding the underrepresentation of BIPOC individuals into an increasingly AI-driven world. Yogi states that AI needs to be fed more diverse content, and the way to achieve that is through POC users actively teaching it. However, Stephanie encourages using AI more responsibly by being mindful of prompts, as excessive use has a negative impact on the environment.
Key takeaway
The conversation made one thing clear: representation is not a trend; it is a responsibility. Whether it is challenging the demographics of your workplace, mentoring the next generation, or being intentional about who you work with, change begins with awareness and is sustained through action.
Matthew closed the evening with a grounding reminder: reset your cycle. In our daily lives, it is easy to fall into routines that feel comfortable and familiar – but real change requires us to pause, reflect, and remain open to doing things differently. Progress does not always look dramatic. Sometimes it starts with a single conversation, a better question, or the willingness to see the world through someone else’s eyes.
