Intersectionality: When identities converge

Many organizations are committed to building fair and inclusive cultures for all talent, across a wide range of social identities and experiences. This is critical as organizations look to align strategies to their values, ensure open and fair access to opportunity, and close gaps. Inviting a diversity of perspectives and taking a multi-faceted, inclusive approach to culture and talent strategies is often associated with the idea of intersectionality. Intersectionality, however, while a critical ingredient in this holistic approach, is distinct.

Intersectionality, a term coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989, helps us understand similarities and differences in people’s experiences in the world — including at work. This is important for business leaders because considering the intersection of multiple social identities is essential for fully understanding employees’ workplace experiences and fostering an inclusive working environment.

This primer will help you understand what intersectionality is, what it is not, and why it is important to consider it in the workplace. It also suggests actions you can take to adopt an intersectional approach to workplace initiatives.