ABOUT US / OUR COMMITMENT TO DEIB
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING
OUR APPROACH
Trepwise is deeply committed to weaving Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging into the very fabric of our organization – through our words, policies, and practices.
We envision a world where every individual has equal access to tailored opportunities and resources, allowing them to reach their fullest potential. We pledge to use our platform to stand against unjust and exclusionary systems, and to value the diverse perspectives and lived experiences of all people. This commitment is rooted in our resolve to actively address biases and promote equity across various dimensions, including race, class, religion, gender, sexual orientation, body type, age, and ability.
BRINGING DEIB TO LIFE
What Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Means to Us
To us, DEIB means centering humanity in everything we do. Specifically, it means focusing on equity, which we believe is a precondition for fostering true diversity, inclusion, and belonging. To foster equity requires intentional consideration of each person’s unique identity, lived experiences and needs, and an understanding of how different identities intersect to affect access to opportunities and resources. We recognize and name that systems and structures have historically benefitted those who are white, male, cis-gender, heterosexual, and able-bodied over others and we seek to create a new paradigm in which all people are afforded opportunities to reach their goals. As a company based in New Orleans, a city built and sustained primarily upon the work of the Black community – we also define equity as a continual commitment to dismantling anti-Black structures and to building anti-racist practices and structures within our organization and community.
Expanding Equity Through Intentional Consulting Approaches
Our dedication to DEIB is integral to our consulting methods, influencing everything from project sourcing to client engagement to strategy formation. We work specifically with purpose-driven organizations that share our vision for thriving, equitable communities. Our Trepwork for Good initiative aims to enhance economic and social inclusion in New Orleans by offering discounted and entirely pro-bono services to individuals and organizations that are run by and/or serve historically excluded groups. While we are committed to DEIB, we are not DEIB experts, and recognize the value of external expertise in this area. We collaborate with specialist DEIB consultants as needed to further our clients’ objectives and are dedicated to continuously enhancing our understanding and integrating this knowledge into our work.
Regardless of client background, we begin every project by listening and learning, engaging a diverse range of voices and perspectives to inform our strategic recommendations. We believe that good ideas can come from anywhere and everyone, and we work to make sure that all voices are heard. Our hybrid approach to engagements, offering both virtual and in-person options, accommodates diverse needs and encourages broad participation. We have seen the subtle ways inequities can manifest and encourage clients to use the planning process as an opportunity to improve their internal and external policies and practices. Our team is prepared to push back on ideas that perpetuate inequity and advocate for solutions that promote a more equitable future.