Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Phi Mu’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

In 2016, Phi Mu’s National Council created five Ends Policies to set strategic priorities for our organization. The policy focused on diversity, equity and inclusion has become an immediate priority for the Fraternity.

A DEI Strategic Plan Focus Group was formed in 2020 and the Phi Mu Fraternity DEI Strategic Plan was unveiled in April of 2021. The Focus Group was facilitated by Dr. Shirley Davis, the President and CEO of SDS Global Enterprises, Inc. Dr. Davis brought a unique background as a seasoned human resources and diversity and inclusion global thought leader. Her consulting fee was made possible through a generous grant from Phi Mu Foundation.

One of the many outcomes of the Focus Group’s work was writing a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Position Statement:

Our core values of love, honor and truth, in principle and in practice, demand a commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion throughout Phi Mu Fraternity. Our steadfast sisterhood is strong because all members are respected, valued and celebrated for who they are.

Why Doesn’t Phi Mu Use the Quatrefoil Hand Sign Anymore?

In 2020, Phi Mu made the decision to discontinue the use of the quatrefoil hand sign. While it was never our members’ intention to appropriate another culture, hand signs hold deep significance in National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) fraternities and sororities, and using them in a different context is a form of cultural appropriation.

As an organization committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive sisterhood, we saw this as an opportunity to learn, grow, and be more intentional in how we celebrate our Phi Mu experience. While members aren’t expected to monitor personal social media accounts, we ask that chapters no longer use or share images of the hand sign on their official platforms.

This decision reflects our values and our ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive Phi Mu for all. We appreciate our members’ support in honoring this change!

Resources for Members

Fraternity DEI Articles:

Our Path to Progress: Working Toward a More Inclusive Sisterhood, Spring 2021 Aglaia

Becoming Our Best Selves: Addressing Diversity in Phi Mu, Fall 2020 Aglaia

Social Media Accounts:

This list was curated by Meg Zukin for Variety.

@BreeNewsome – Educational, wise, accessible and resourceful information focused on structural racism and white power structures
@ckyourprivilege – Guided journey that deepens your awareness to how your actions affect the mental health of Black, Brown, Indigenous, People of Color
@ebonyjanice – Resources, wisdom, memes, skin care tips and must-read book recommendations
@ethelsclub – Online social and wellness club dedicated to celebrating people of color
@equalitylabs – Workshop offerings, surveillance information and ways to help grassroots groups
@MsKellyMHayes – Crucial information for organizers and protestors as well as historical and educational resources
@nowhitesaviors – Ugandan advocacy campaign dedicated to disrupting traditional power structures between the Western world and the African continent
@rachel.cargle – Explores the intersection of race and womanhood, guides conversations, encourages critical thinking and nurtures meaningful engagement with people all over the world
@r29unbothered – Celebratory and educational and champion Black voices, Black art and Black women
@strongblacklead – Dedicated to publicizing and promoting Black talent and creators
@survivepunish – Organizes to de-criminalize efforts to survive domestic and sexual violence, support and free criminalized survivors and abolish gender violence, policing, prisons and deportations

Websites:

• Anti-Racism for Beginners
• Anti-Racism Resources – Sarah Sophie Flicker, Alyssa Klein
• Black Lives Matter Explained
• Scaffolded Anti-Racist Resources
• Talking About Race

Books:

This list was curated by Sadie Trombetta for Bustle in 2018 and revised in June 2020. Additional book suggestions can be found here.

• “So You Want to Talk About Race” by Ijeoma Oluo
• “When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir” by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and Asha Bandele
• “Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower” by Brittney Cooper
• “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: And Other Conversations About Race” by Beverly Daniel Tatumer
• “An African American and Latinx History of the United States” by Paul Ortiz
• “The Color of Success: Asian Americans and the Origins of the Model Minority” by Ellen D. Wu
• “Waking Up White, and Finding Myself in the Story of Race” by Debby Irving
• “This Muslim American Life: Dispatches from the War on Terror” by Moustafa Bayoumi
• “The Hidden Rules of Race: Barriers to an Inclusive Economy” by Andrea Flynn, Susan R. Holmberg, Dorian T. Warren, and Felicia J. Wong
• “Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism” by Safiya Umoja Noble

There are also a variety of books available for children. For a list of these resources, you can visit this article in The New York Times and the Embrace Race website.