D&I Acronyms & Terminology
This is a list of select acronyms, terminology and definitions used in the diversity & inclusion sector.
Please note this is not an exhaustive list.
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2SLGBTQI+: Two-spirited, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer (some people also include Questioning), Intersex, and the “+” sign addresses HIV+ status as well as additional letters/identities in the acronym,
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AAR: acronym for Anti-Asian Racism, which is defined as prejudice, attitudes, beliefs, stereotyping, discrimination or more directed towards people of South Asian, East Asian and Pacific Islands descent.
ABR: acronym for Anti-Black Racism, which is defined as prejudice, attitudes, beliefs, stereotyping, discrimination or more directed towards people of African descent.
ACB: acronym for African, Caribbean, Black communities.
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AIR: acronym for Anti-Indigenous Racism, which is defined as prejudice, attitudes, beliefs, stereotyping, discrimination or more directed towards the Indigenous peoples of North America.
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AODA: acronym for Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act that aims to identify, remove, and prevent barriers for people living with disabilities.
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BAME: Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic.
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BIPoC: acronym for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour, sometimes written as IBPoC.
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D&I: acronym for Diversity and Inclusion.
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DEI: acronym for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, sometimes written as EDI.
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EDI: acronym for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, sometimes written as DEI.
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EES: acronym for Employee Engagement Survey.
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ERG: acronym for Employee Resource Group. ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups often centred around marginalized peoples in the organization (e.g. Women, Racialized, LGBTQ+, etc.) that foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with organizational mission, values, goals, business practices and objectives.
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Gaslighting: a type of psychological abuse that causes people to question their own sanity in this case questioning marginalized peoples about their experiences and suggesting that something might not actually be racist, homophobic, sexist, etc.
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GDEIB: acronym for Global Diversity Equity Inclusion Benchmarks. Created by The Centre for Global Inclusion, the GDEIB is a global standard for organizations around the world to support organizations in the development and implementation of diversity and inclusion best practices.
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IBPoC: acronym for Indigenous, Black and People of Colour, sometimes written as BIPoC.
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JEDI: acronym for Justice, Equity, Decolonization, Inclusion.
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KPIs: acronym for Key Performance Indicators, the critical indicators of progress toward an intended result.
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LGTBQ+: acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Trans, Bisexual, Queer, and the “+” sign addresses HIV+ status as well as additional letters/identities in the acronym, typically I for intersex, Q for questioning, 2S for two-spirited and more.
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Microaggressions: statements, actions or incidents regarded as instances of indirect, subtle or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group.
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NIA: acronym for National Institute on Aging
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OHRC: acronym for Ontario Human Rights Commission
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PoC: acronym for People of Colour
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PoCAM: acronym for People of Colour in Advertising and Marketing, an 800-member, volunteer run, non-profit marketing industry association founded in 2020 created to empower BIPoC advertising and marketing professionals so they can success in a systemically White working environment.
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Pride AM: short form for Pride in Advertising and Marketing, a non-profit organization that promotes and celebrates LGBTQ+ people in the marketing and advertising world.
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RBF: acronym for Racial Battle Fatigue, a term coined in 2008 by Critical Race Theorist William Smith and it is a result of constant microaggressions, gaslighting, white fragility and more that can have a detrimental effect on the mental, emotional and physical health of racialized peoples.
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SMART Goals: an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely Goals.
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SOGIESC: acronym for sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics.
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Woke: is an adjective derived from African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) meaning "alert to racial prejudice and discrimination."