Spotlight on Diversity May 2023
WILD’s DEIR Committee Invites Lighting Industry Leaders to Check
By Chelsea Kreielsheimer, Senior Lighting Designer, Atelier Ten, and Stacey Bello, Associate, KGM Architectural Lighting
The DEIR Committee for Women in Lighting + Design formed in 2022 with the mission to celebrate the diverse individuals who contribute to the lighting community and to bring self-awareness and enhance community awareness through education. Led by co-chairs Stacey Bello and Chelsea Kreielsheimer, the team meets every other month to provide oversight on WILD’s programming and communication, and to develop projects and programs that foster a sense of belonging for all. Our vision is to diversify the lighting field by honoring the unique pathways that drive diverse individuals to pursue a career in lighting. The ultimate goal is to create a more inclusive environment that supports the longevity of diverse talent to thrive in leadership roles.
For the first official project, the WILD DEIR Committee formulated an Inclusive Communication and Programming Checklist to encourage global thinking among leaders and organizers in written correspondence and event planning.
The checklist is designed for both large and small WILD International events and for WILD Chapter use. Leadership teams can use the list as a diversity-conscious self-check for organizing events and developing communication. As It turns out, the checklist is also a useful post-event check-in to reflect on lessons learned and reassess future programming efforts.
The DEIR checklist is easily integrated into all types of educational and social gatherings in the lighting industry – for WILD and beyond.
The 12-part checklist is broken down into two sections: Programming, and Communication and Language for outreach via email, RSVP/registration platforms, and social media. Some of the items highlight diverse interests and needs, gendered language, images that reflect and empower various communities, and first-time speakers. The idea is to check Yes, No, or Not Applicable, as appropriate and then note any comments or additional action as needed. The committee recommends that more than one organizer run through the checklist in advance of the event, to ensure a broader “eye,” in terms of background and experience.
The committee co-chairs appreciate the vital input of Committee Members Alana Shepherd and Likhitha Rangaswamy, as well as WILD Int’l Board Member Lois I. Hutchinson. The checklist was created by researching inclusivity practices and is based on existing checklists from various universities. The committee met over the course of 3 months to evaluate the components of the checklist and provide feedback based on each member's unique experiences. This is a new initiative and a work in progress. We will continue to iterate as we receive feedback and expect to provide an update in the next year. So please reach out with any insights you’ve gained while using the checklist. To date, we’ve received feedback around inclusive venues and accommodating people with diverse needs, as well as understanding land acknowledgements.
Hopefully, the greatest impact of this initiative will be to enhance community awareness and bring DEIR to the forefront. We want to expand opportunities for DEIR involvement across the lighting industry. We envision an industry that creates a sense of belonging by celebrating diverse perspectives and embracing equitable opportunities and encouragement. As a result, we can improve the quality of light for all the end-users we serve.
