Ishea Shepherd
D , E & I as a Daily Habit
GAME CHANGER
When people hear the words Diversity , Equity and Inclusion , they are often overwhelmed and anxious . They may even think that the problem is too large for anyone to make noticeable change . But that is not the case , creating a more equitable and inclusive work place starts with small changes to our daily habits .
Now , let ' s not make this sound like a boring lecture . Think of DE & I as the razzle dazzle , making your job and community shine a bit brighter every day .
In our line of work , where taking care of people and their homes is what we do best , having a place that says " Everyone ' s welcome !" isn ’ t just nice ; it ' s essential . Because really , if we ’ re not making everyone feel included and valued , it ’ s like throwing a party without music or food — not very fun , right ?
So , how can we , leasing consultants , service team members and property managers , make DE & I a real part of our everyday hustle ? Let ’ s add easy habits that spread that inclusivity and equity all over our buildings .
Instead of the usual meet-and-greet , why not try something new like a cultural food night , a virtual tour of homes around the world , or an art show featuring your residents ’ own masterpieces ? Celebrate the different stories and backgrounds that make your community unique .
Ever wondered about the traditions of the family in 5B or why your maintenance person prefers emails ? Ask them , without jumping to conclusions . A simple chat like , “ Tell me more about those cool decorations !” can lead to some great conversations and connections .
If you notice someone ’ s ideas getting overlooked or they ’ re too shy to speak up , give them a boost . Maybe suggest Mrs . Nguyen ’ s great idea for a community garden or support Kevin ’ s pitch for a dog-friendly event . Your support can make a big difference .
And hey , when you ’ re not sure about something related to someone ’ s culture or background , it ’ s totally okay to say so . It ’ s like letting everyone know , “ I ’ m here to learn and grow with you . Let ’ s make our community welcoming for everyone .”
By mixing these DE & I actions into your daily life , you ’ re doing more than just looking after buildings . You ’ re helping build a warm , welcoming community where everyone feels like they belong and are heard .
So , as you go about your day , remember : the real magic of DE & I is in the small
Ishea Shepherd
Assistant Vice President , AMC Delancey Group , Inc .
Experienced Property Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the real estate industry .
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things — the smiles , the chats , the shared experiences . It ’ s about making our properties not just places to live , but places where everyone feels like part of a big , happy neighborhood . Let ’ s keep sprinkling that DE & I magic everywhere , making every moment count . If you would like to hear more about how to incorporate these practices into your daily habit for residents and your teams join me at my in person session in Denver ! www . aamdhq . org APRIL 2024 TRENDS | 27