20+ Must-Read DEI Books
If you're in search of a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) book to read, this list of 20+ DEI books offers a diverse selection (pun intended 💯) .
Whether for your organization's monthly book club, professional development in DEI or to enhance your skills as an inclusive leader, we’ve got you covered!
What is a DEI Book?
DEI books address issues related to a wide range of social issues such as race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and socioeconomic status.
Diverstiy, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) books can take various forms, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, essays, and academic works. They aim to explore and promote understanding of different perspectives and experiences, challenge stereotypes and biases, and advocate for greater inclusivity and equality.
Reading DEI books can be a valuable way for individuals to educate themselves about the experiences of people from diverse backgrounds, gain insights into social justice issues, and contribute to fostering a more inclusive world.
20+ Must-Read DEI Books 📚
#1 Between the World and Me
This is a nonfiction book structured as a letter from the author to his teenage son and addresses themes of race, identity, and systemic racism in the United States. It explores the author’s experiences from Howard University, to the Civil War, from living in the South Side of Chicago to Paris.
Named as one of the most influential books of the decade by CNN and one of the 10 best books of the year by The New York Times Book Review, Ta-Nehisi Coates’ work is a must-read.
This quote from the book perfectly summarizes the essence of this profound novel, “This is your country, this is your world, this is your body, and you must find some way to live within the all of it."
This book investigates DEI in the workplace through interviews with over 200 international businesses, uncovering groundbreaking findings.
It investigates the reasons behind the limited participation of men in D&I efforts at work, whether attributed to hostility, a lack of motivation to change, or uncertainty about the necessary actions.
The authors present actionable strategies, including guidance on launching effective diversity initiatives, building a more engaged workforce, and creating a culture that is comfortable with challenging conversations.
Authored by Dr. Jennifer Eberhardt, one of the world’s leading experts on unconscious bias, this book explores racial bias in all levels of society— from neighborhoods, to schools, workplaces, and the criminal justice system.
Drawing on her expertise, Dr. Eberhardt shares insights gained from assisting organizations, including Airbnb, in addressing bias. The book provides valuable tools for reform and practical strategies applicable to organizational settings.
Recognized with prestigious awards, including the William James Book Award from the American Psychological Association and the Society for Personality and Social Psychology Book Prize, this groundbreaking work is a valuable resource for those seeking an in-depth understanding of unconscious bias.
Winner of the 2019 McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award, "Invisible Women" by author Caroline Criado Perez sheds light on the pervasive gender bias present in data and its far-reaching consequences on women's lives.
The book discusses how data shapes resource allocation and decision-making across crucial areas, including economic development, healthcare, education, and public policy. The failure of data to account for gender differences results in women bearing the costs in terms of time, money, and, at times, their very lives.
Caroline Criado Perez leaves readers with impactful statements, such as, “There is no such thing as a woman who doesn’t work. There is only a woman who isn’t paid for her work.” The book is a compelling exploration of the critical intersection between gender, data, and societal structures, urging readers to consider the implications of biased data on the lives of women.
This New York Times best-selling book delves into the phenomenon of white fragility, which is racial discomfort exhibited by some white individuals when confronted with discussions about their racial privilege. This discomfort often manifests as behaviors like anger, fear, and guilt. These behaviors hinder productive conversations about racism and ultimately perpetuate racial inequality.
The thought-provoking narrative of this book encourages readers to engage in self-reflection, prompting an examination of their own roles within the framework of racism. Furthermore, the author provides practical tools aimed at fostering constructive conversations about bias and race.
A recipient of the National Book Award, "Stamped from the Beginning" offers a comprehensive historical analysis of the evolution of racist ideas in America. Authored by Ibram X. Kendi, the book sheds light on the persistent and evolving nature of racism in the United States.
Kendi delves into the life stories of five influential American figures — Puritan minister Cotton Mather, Thomas Jefferson, abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, sociologist W.E.B. Du Bois, and activist Angela Davis — to explain the complex history of anti-black racist ideas. By weaving together the narratives of these individuals, the book provides a thorough understanding of the development and persistence of racial biases.
In the words of the author, "Racist ideas were built to last. Let’s start tearing them down," suggesting a call to action to confront and dismantle ingrained racist ideologies.
Author Jennifer Brown advocates for inclusive workplaces, explaining that they not only empower individual employees to reach their fullest potential but also enhance overall organizational engagement and performance.
In this book, Brown offers a practical guide designed for leaders at any level. This guide leads them through the Inclusive Leader Continuum, a four-stage model consisting of unaware, aware, active, and advocate stages.
By breaking down the journey into these stages, Brown provides a simple step-by-step framework that individuals can apply to their roles. The simplicity of these steps proves that anyone can and should take proactive steps to become an inclusive leader.
Authored by Mary-Frances Winters, founder of The Winters Group, a prominent DEI consulting firm with 36 years of experience, this book challenges leaders to establish a safe environment for employees to engage in discussions about polarizing topics as avoidance is no longer a solution.
The book offers practical and actionable strategies for addressing sensitive subjects such as race, religion, and politics within the workplace. It argues that it’s not what is talked about, but how the conversation is approached that matters.
By providing insights and tools, the book empowers leaders to navigate these challenging discussions effectively which leads to a more productive, engaging, and inclusive workforce.
Many think that they know their own minds and can assess others in a fair and accurate way. In Blindspot, leading psychologists, Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald, challenge these beliefs by exposing the hidden biases ingrained in individuals due to societal attitudes towards characteristics such as age, gender, and race.
The authors delve into the concept of unconscious bias, drawing on studies conducted using the Implicit Association Test. This fascinating test measures the strength of an individual's associations with certain concepts, unveiling subconscious biases that may not be readily apparent.
Blindspot seeks to help its readers gain awareness and outsmart our brains so that we can challenge our own biases and make fairer evaluations in our daily lives.
Author Ruchika Tulshyan advocates for a deliberate intersectional approach to creating an inclusive workplace culture, placing emphasis on addressing the workplace discrimination faced by women of color.
In her advocacy, Tulshyan urges leaders to leverage their privilege to identify and expose biases, providing insights on how to construct an inclusive workplace.
She employs compelling storytelling and practical frameworks to illustrate the steps necessary for building a workplace that embraces diversity and actively works against discrimination.
Written by former Adobe CTO, Karen Smith Caitlin, this book is a one-stop manual for individuals aspiring to become better allies and champions for marginalized colleagues in the workplace.
Caitlin walks readers through 6 steps: attracting and hiring a diverse workforce, creating an environment where employees feel welcome and supported, advocating for others, providing constructive performance feedback, using inclusive language, and organizing inclusive events.
Read this highly acclaimed guide as a first step to creating a culture where everyone is empowered to thrive.
"The Remix," authored by leading expert Lindsey Pollak, emphasizes the significance of organizations embracing workplaces where multiple generations coexist. In environments with a diverse range of workers, spanning Millennials, Gen Z, Baby Boomers, and Gen X, varying attitudes, expectations, and working styles converge.
Pollak draws on her expertise, sharing data from her research and offering case studies from Fortune 500 companies. The book outlines strategies for leaders to address diversity clashes within generational differences and, importantly, provides insights on leveraging this generational diversity as a business opportunity.
By acknowledging and navigating the unique strengths of each generation, organizations can harness the collective power of diverse perspectives to drive innovation and success.
In "Inclusive 360," author Bernadette Smith offers a thorough roadmap full of ideas from the world's most innovative companies.
This guide is designed to aid organizations in their journey toward greater diversity, equity, and inclusion through impactful actions.
The book provides strategies that extend beyond HR, emphasizing that every department within an organization plays a crucial role in creating more equitable workplaces.
In his inspirational book, author John Samuel opens up about his transformative journey after being diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease. Faced with the challenge of finding a sense of belonging in a world that often overlooks individuals with disabilities, Samuel shares his profound insights and experiences.
The book delves into Samuel's perspective as someone who is visually impaired, exploring his daily challenges and offering guidance on embracing disability as an advantage to achieve one's dreams.
Samuel emphasizes the value that individuals with disabilities bring to organizations and provides insights on how anyone can become an ally in breaking down barriers. Additionally, the book offers practical guidance on implementing a disability inclusion strategy, making it a valuable resource for rebuilding a more inclusive and accessible world.
Authored by Forbes D&I Trailblazer and prominent DEI expert on LinkedIn, Lily Zheng, "DEI Deconstructed" critically assesses the limitations of many existing DEI methods, pointing out issues such as performative allyship and underdeveloped strategies that often do more harm than good.
This book offers a pragmatic and research-based approach, presenting evidence-based practices and actionable techniques for stakeholders at every level of an organization to become effective DEI changemakers.
In her book "Say More About That," inclusion strategist and expert Amber Cabral provides communication tactics and toolkits for assertively addressing unfair treatment in various contexts, including work, home, and school.
The book delves into the fundamentals of inclusion and equity, exploring the concept of allyship. It examines the challenges of speaking up in our social environment and offers effective language and strategies to stand up against unfair treatment.
"Say More About That" aims to empower readers with the confidence to push back against unacceptable behavior, such as passive-aggressive actions and professional gaslighting. By providing practical insights, the book serves as a valuable resource for individuals seeking to advocate for themselves and others in the face of inequity.
The Head of Product Inclusion at Google, Annie Jean-Baptiste shares valuable insights and strategies on the inclusive design process employed by Google to develop user-centric and profitable products. Her book addresses the diversity of markets and how businesses can unlock revenue potential by creating products that truly meet the needs of their diverse user base.
Focusing on the "how," Jean-Baptiste provides readers with insights into essential questions that should be asked about D&I in product development. The book draws on research and case studies to illustrate effective practices, introduces the ABCs of product inclusion, and offers guidance on how to apply these strategies within an organization.
Whether in product design, marketing, management, or other roles, the concepts presented in the book are designed to be applicable and beneficial for a wide range of professionals.
In her book "Brave, Not Perfect," Reshma Saujani, the founder of Girls Who Code, urges women to overcome the fear of failure that often prevents them from pursuing their passions.
Saujani explores the societal factors that contribute to women's tendencies to be people pleasers and fear failure, touching on norms that reinforce praise for being quiet and polite.
"Brave, Not Perfect" offers practical tools and insights to empower women to break free from stereotypes and the pursuit of perfection. Positioned as an inspirational read for girls and women of all ages, the book encourages a shift in mindset, advocating for bravery over perfection in the pursuit of personal and professional goals.
In "The Waymakers," equity strategist Tara Jaye Frank employs case studies, data, and storytelling to illustrate how leaders can pave the path to workplace equity.
The book emphasizes that success and a sense of belonging in one's career often result from leaders who actively remove barriers and guide their team members toward their goals.
Frank's work serves as a guide for leaders, providing insights on how to facilitate necessary change. It encourages leaders to assess their position on the equity journey, understand the true desires of their employees, and embody principles that allow them to consistently show up as leaders who actively pave the way for others.
In "The Culture Map," international business expert Erin Meyer draws on her extensive experience living and working in Africa, Europe, and the United States to share insights into communication patterns and business operations worldwide.
Recognizing the increasing importance of cultural competence in the era of globalization, Meyer provides a valuable resource for navigating cultural differences in both professional and personal contexts.
The book offers an analytical framework that helps readers understand and work harmoniously with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. Readers are also given the chance to dive into engaging, real-life examples from around the world with important lessons on international collaboration.
How to Learn More about DEI
If you’re interested in learning more about DEI, check out the following three sources:
💻 DEI focused blogs
CultureAlly’s blog covers a wide range of DEI topics, including best practices, addressing workplace discrimination, recruitment strategies, and more. If you're seeking to enhance your knowledge of DEI and discover valuable tools, explore the insightful content available on our blog.
📻Podcasts on DEI
There are several engaging podcasts that focus on DEI issues, including:
📝DEI Workshops
Many organizations and DEI consultants offer webinars, course and workshops on DEI topics.
Consider signing your team up for these interactive sessions to tackle issues such as microaggressions, unconscious bias, and more!
