Thread

I have a tip for those of you who, like me, are inundated by emails from organizations wanting to “pick your brain” about diversity and inclusion work.

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Until we collectively recognize that our diversity and inclusion expertise is a skill with real value, people with privilege will keep expecting us to give away our expertise for free.

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I can guarantee you lawyers aren’t spending vast amounts of time giving away their legal advice for free to strangers asking to “pick their brain” about a legal issue they’re struggling with.

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The next time someone emails you asking to set up a call to brainstorm how their organization can do a better job being more inclusive, consider responding in a way that conveys you recognize the value of your expertise.

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Your response should also convey that you recognize the limits of your expertise.

For example, I’m a white cisgender lesbian whose expertise is specific to LGBTQ+ inclusion. I am not an expert in anti-racism work. I have a responsibility to refer out to more qualified folx.

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Here’s an easy way to respond to emails from individuals/organizations asking to pick your brain:

“Thanks so much for reaching out. I’d be happy to set up a 15-minute call to discuss your needs as well as my consulting fees.”

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If you get an email from someone looking for expertise that you don’t have, consider responding like this:

“I’m not an expert in XYZ but I know several individuals who do consulting work in this area. I’d be happy to make a virtual introduction so that you... (cont)

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“...can discuss your needs and learn more about their consulting fees.”

White people: Don’t send a diversity inquiry to a BIPOC without making it clear in your email that said BIPOC is a “consultant” with “fees.”

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This is labor - *real* labor - not something that BIPOC and LGBTQ+ people should be expected to give away for free.

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It’s VERY rare than an organization that emails me wants to actually PAY an LGBTQ+ person for their expertise.

Instead, they basically want free consulting so that they can feel like they’re “doing something” about LGBTQ+ inclusion.

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And that’s OK: I’d much rather know this upfront so that I can choose to invest my time and energy elsewhere.

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