The Best of The Increase Diversity Newsletter: 10 Quotes That Moved the Needle For Us

This is #IncreaseDiversity, a weekly newsletter series + Increase Diversity Toolbox sharing best practices for employers who want to learn how to… well, increase diversity. To see previous editions, visit JenniferTardy.com. | IG: @IncreaseDiversity | Increase Diversity - YouTube

We’ve had a big year. Our newsletters have tackled everything from lived experience and AI bias to skills-based hiring. And wow, the conversations they sparked were incredible.

If we had to pick just ten moments that really hit home—these quotes captured the heart of what we’re trying to do: increase diversity and retention without harm, get real about bias, and build workplaces that actually work for people.

Below are those ten quotes you liked, pulled directly from the articles you read, shared, bookmarked, and talked about.

Quote #1: “LEI is a game-changer. Seriously. It gives a concrete name to something most organizations overlook: the wisdom that comes from a person’s lived experience—solving problems, doing the work, and navigating real challenges.”

We pulled this straight from the article “Why the LEI Learning Path in the Increase Diversity Toolbox Is a Must for Every Recruiter in 2025.” This quote sparked tons of interest in our Increase Diversity Toolbox, especially the LEQ learning path. If you haven’t peeked inside yet, now’s a great time to explore. You can access it here.

Quote #2: “Professionals with disabilities aren’t sitting on the sidelines waiting for a chance. They’re already building companies, leading teams, and solving problems businesses lose sleep over.”

From “Disability Pride Month: Where Visibility Ends and Opportunity Begins,” this quote pushed readers to rethink outreach strategies. It reminded us that access doesn’t show up by accident—it’s intentional work, and smart sourcing starts way before a job post goes live.

Quote #3: “AI should be a partner, not a gatekeeper.”

This one landed right at the end of “Can AI Support Diversity Recruiting Without Harm? Here’s What You Said.” It summed up our entire community conversation in one sharp sentence. We were unpacking a JTC LinkedIn poll that revealed folks are nearly split on trusting AI in hiring—but everyone agreed: it needs guardrails, not free rein.

Quote #4: “Increasing diversity through any valid means is never about ‘lowering the bar.’ It’s about realizing your bar has been tilted all along—and straightening it.”

Pulled from “Looking for a Last-Minute Summer Read? Here’s Why You Need The Equity Edge,” this quote gives a moment of dignity to our hiring managers and recruiters. It helped frame The Equity Edge as a lens shift. And honestly, a gut check for anyone stuck in old definitions of “qualified” and new myths about DEI.

Quote #5: “Because true merit doesn’t exist without equity.”

We featured this one front and center in our milestone edition: “300 Article Editions In (+ 5 Myths We STILL Need to Debunk).” It’s simple, powerful, and reminds readers why equity is far from optional—because it’s the scaffolding that checks the biases and harmful practices to level the playing field.

Quote #6: “Even if something isn’t illegal, if it happens often enough or happens to the wrong group—like a protected group—it can become illegal.”

From “Is It Illegal, Unethical, or Non-Inclusive? Let’s Break It Down,” this quote opened a lot of eyes. Legal teams took note. DEI professionals bookmarked it. It shifted the conversation from compliance to culture-building—and that’s exactly what we hoped it would do.

Quote #7: “If we want to build a workforce that truly reflects merit, we need systems that recognize skill—not just where someone went to school.”

This was the one from “Labor Day 2025: Why It’s Time to Let Go of the College Degree Requirement.” This quote should really become a rally cry for skills-first hiring. Seriously!

Quote #8: “Let’s not just post the quotes. Let’s build the pipeline.”

This came from “Hispanic Heritage Month: Stop Spotlighting. Start Building a Pipeline.” It was our friendly call-out to companies who show up with great intentions, but forget to bring follow-through. And it inspired a ton of discussion in our DMs.

Quote #9: “When you do not have an inclusive environment,  it doesn’t matter how diverse your hiring funnel is. You’re just filling roles while people quietly slip out the side door.”

Lifted from the article “What Does Inclusion Feel Like?,” this quote perfectly captured what inclusion feels like—beyond metrics, beyond mission statements, and beyond paperwork. It set the tone for how we talk about inclusion moving forward.

Quote #10: “If we want a truly meritocratic workforce, hiring should be grounded in what a person can do, not just where they went to school.”

This quote was also from the article “Labor Day 2025: Why It’s Time to Let Go of the College Degree Requirement.” We brought this article back in the recap because readers kept circling back to it.

Still With Us? Good—Because We're Deep into This Work

If you made it this far, you probably care as much as we do. And that’s the point. None of these matters without you. Quotes like these shape our conversations, build momentum, and remind us why this work matters, especially when it involves you, our readers.

Want to keep this energy going? Go check out The Equity Edge, or take a scroll through the Increase Diversity Academy. You’ll find tons of tools and guidance. And you’ll find the fire to keep doing this work—because we’re not slowing down, and we hope you aren’t either.

Join us in the comments: Which quote resonated the most with you and why?