UBFARE: Evolving DEI to Build a World of True Belonging and Justice.

DEI Initiatives Grow

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives have significantly advanced across various sectors, particularly within higher education. Many universities have developed comprehensive programs to foster inclusive environments and address systemic inequities.

University Inititiaves

  • Harvard University: The Office for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging collaborates with stakeholders to guide the university toward inclusive excellence. Their Culture Lab offers grants and programs to build a sense of belonging and empowerment. (Harvard University)

  • University of Pennsylvania: Penn’s Office of Social Equity & Community promotes awareness and programming that advance the university’s mission of fostering social equity, diversity, and inclusion. Initiatives like Projects for Progress provide funding to support efforts designed to promote equity and inclusion, making a direct impact in Philadelphia. (Diversity at Penn)

  • University of Michigan: The university has made progress in several key areas related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including enhancing affordability and access, promoting educational outreach, and improving student enrollment and retention. Their DEI 2.0 initiative continues to build on these efforts. (ODEI)

The collective efforts of educational institutions and individuals underscore the ongoing progress in DEI, highlighting a shared commitment to fostering equity and inclusion across various sectors.

DEI Certified

My commitment to DEI is reflected in my educational pursuits:

  • Cornell University: I earned a Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion, focusing on counteracting unconscious bias, improving engagement, and fostering an inclusive climate.

  • University of Pennsylvania: I completed the DiverseForce On Boards program, which trains professionals of color on board governance and facilitates their placement on governing boards, emphasizing leadership and inclusion.

These experiences have deepened my understanding of DEI principles and equipped me to contribute effectively to creating inclusive environments.

Why DEI
Must Evolve

Focus on the Margins

For many underrepresented communities, DEI must go beyond a checkbox exercise—something that exists in name only. DEI struggles to address the lived realities or unique challenges faced by people from the most marginalized groups, including Indigenous people, Black communities, religious groups, political adversaries, displaced communities, LGBTQIA2S+ people, people with disabilities, and women of all backgrounds.

Lift Every Voice

UBFARE was born from a clear message: “We need to see ourselves, our challenges, or our needs reflected in your organization.” It’s a response to the many voices in communities calling for belonging, their experiences to be acknowledged, and their voices to be valued in every space.

A Bold Call to Evolve DEI

DEI has become a familiar term, a testament to the dedication of practitioners working to make spaces more inclusive. But too often, DEI remains limited to surface-level adjustments that don’t fully meet the needs of the most marginalized—those whose voices call most urgently for meaningful change. UBFARE (pronounced You Be Fair) honors the progress of DEI professionals who pioneered while inviting us all to go deeper. It offers a transformative approach centering Ubuntu, belonging, feminism, antiracism, representation, and equity as essential and inseparable.

What does UBFARE Stands for?

  • Those in power often prioritize their own interests over others, but when one person is hurt, it affects everyone.

    Act through the interconnectedness of humanity, embracing others as your partners in advancing belonging, feminism, antiracism, representation, equity, and justice.

  • Bias and social marginalization result in some groups being underrepresented while others dominate, causing experiences of isolation and exclusion.

    Create spaces where everyone feels valued, heard, represented, and embraced for all who they are, not just the parts they have in common.

  • Patriarchy and misogyny raise men to positions of power while pushing women, femmes, and nonbinary people to the side.

    Promote gender equity intersectionally and dismantle structures that uphold patriarchy and misogyny.

  • Ongoing acts and systems of racial oppression rank people in overlapping layers, promoting some while dehumanizing and harming others.

    Take an active stance against racism by disrupting policies, practices, and investments that harm Black, Indigenous, and other communities marginalized by racism, tribalism, caste, fascism, and nationalism.

  • The ongoing exclusion of Black people, Indigenous communities, LGBTQIA+ people, women, people living with disabilities, and so many groups of people prevents our voices and views from guiding decisions that affect our lives.

    Elevate and ensure equitable visibility of people of traditionally excluded identities at all levels, including leadership, decision-making, and ownership roles.

  • Recognize that systemic and continuous experiences with injustices elevate some groups into dominance while forcing others into the margins.

    Proactively address the imbalances in opportunity and access by investing in accordance to the specific needs of those in the margins.

The Evolution of DEI

DEI has already evolved from Diversity or Inclusion alone through D&I, DEI, and in some spaces, JEDI. Now, it’s time for UBFARE—a framework and language that aims to reach the true goals of DEI and JEDI: belonging, equity, justice, unity, and innovation.

UBFARE is here to support DEI practitioners and leaders alike, offering practical guidance for meeting the needs of those most often left behind. Together, we can work toward a future that uplifts every voice and every community and realizes a world where everyone belongs.

Hands of just a few different shades

UBFARE: A Mandate, Not a Choice

  • Take DEI to the Next Level

    Embracing UBFARE is more than adopting another acronym. It’s a shift in mindset—a move toward genuine, active inclusion and equity that demands meaningful change.

  • A Strategy and a Demand

    Beyond just a set of ideas, UBFARE is a framework that organizations can use to build structures that truly support all identities. It demands commitment, not just compliance.

  • No Sidestepping

    Organizations that commit to UBFARE lean in to address real, often uncomfortable challenges of power, privilege, and justice at intersections of all systems of oppression.

UBFARE Goals and Action Steps

Transformational Policies and Investments

UBFARE challenges organizations to adopt policies that reflect antiracism, feminism, equity, and belonging

Community-Centered Practice

Organizations should collaborate directly with communities to understand and reflect their needs.

Hold Leaders Accountable

UBFARE calls on leaders to be transparent about their strategies and to show measurable progress.

UBFARE: Essential Elements of Justice Toolkit

Explore the UBFARE framework for justice, belonging, and equity. This free toolkit outlines the core principles of Ubuntu, Belonging, Feminism, Antiracism, Representation, and Equity, offering actionable steps to foster systemic transformation.

Join the UBFARE Movement

Evolve DEI: Are you ready to advance traditional DEI and embrace UBFARE as the new standard for equity and inclusion?

Align with Community Needs: Begin by actively listening, learning, and evolving based on community feedback.

Stand for Equity in Action: UBFARE is a call to transform organizations into spaces of true belonging, justice, and opportunity.