I can’t help but feel we are living in perilous times. Across the global landscape, we are still grappling with the challenges of addressing racial injustice, not to mention other forms of structural discrimination and oppression.

Looking around, one could be forgiven for feeling like we are making very little progress in our approach to diversity and inclusion, but also simply how we get along with those we perceive to be different from ourselves. In what feels like a blink of an eye, the divides we once had along lines of race, sexuality, gender identification, class, political ideologies, and religion, have now become gaping chasms.

And at the risk of being melodramatic, something about this situation feels a bit like life-and-death; there is something existentially unsustainable about it. Maybe it is because for some of us, perhaps even for many of us, living in a world or working in an organisation where the wholeness of our humanity is not seen, welcomed, and celebrated, has progressively become too much to bear.

Therefore, in the journey towards creating antiracist organisations, the culmination of insights, strategies, and transformative actions must converge into a single, powerful call for lasting change.

This journey begins with acknowledging the existence of structural racism within our organisations and recognising the biases and unacknowledged privilege embedded in policies, practices, and interpersonal dynamics. This introspection, while uncomfortable, is also necessary, because it serves as a catalyst for building the capability needed for genuine transformation.

My hope is that this is not just a book, but to also construct a fervent call to action. By providing a roadmap for leaders and organisations to navigate the complex and controversial terrain of antiracism, this book has the potential to facilitate positive change in workplaces worldwide. At a time when the need for inclusive and equitable organisations has never been more critical, my wish is that these pages feel like a beacon of guidance and inspiration for those committed to creating a future where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

This hope has not only been constructed upon my professional role and ambition; it is also deeply personal to me.

In contemplating the future, this book envisions a landscape where antiracist principles are intertwined with the DNA of organisations. It dreams of workplaces where diversity is not a checkbox, but a lived experience; where inclusion is not a buzzword, but a daily practice; and where equity and justice are embedded in the very fabric of an organisation’s culture. Somewhere, this dream belongs to us all and to our shared humanity. So, the responsibility lies with each individual, with each leader, and with every organisation, to heed the call, to confront the uncomfortable, and collectively build a future where connection and belonging are fundamental tenets. This book, therefore, serves as a guide, an ally, and hopefully a source of inspiration for those committed to the arduous yet rewarding journey of creating workplaces that reflect the principles of antiracism.

The vision of this work is for organisations to actively contribute to a broader societal shift towards justice and equity. So, in the final analysis, The Antiracist Organisation is not just a book; it is a roadmap for a profound societal shift. It is a rallying cry for organisations to recognise their role in either perpetuating or dismantling structural racism, and to take decisive steps towards the latter. My deepest hope is that as you conclude this book, you are armed not only with knowledge, but hopefully, with a renewed sense of purpose – a commitment to building workplaces that stand as beacons of antiracism amidst the turbulence of our times.