DEI: The Importance of Mentoring

By Patrick Price, Government Practice Section Executive Committee

One of the most important things we can do regarding diversity, equity and inclusion is improve outreach regarding the opportunities available and how to achieve them. If no one looks like you or has your background, a system can feel oppressive and impenetrable. Often, human systems that seem natural and instinctual to someone on the inside can appear opaque and impenetrable to someone on the outside looking in, whether it be a new school, new employment, or the political process.  
 
A consistent refrain from individuals who have broken barriers is the importance of mentors—individuals who invest in developing you, help open doors, and guide you through the process. Without the knowledge of an opportunity or how a system works, it is nearly impossible to take advantage of it. A mentor is invaluable to helping someone on the outside gain the knowledge and confidence to successfully navigate the system and take advantage of the opportunities available.  
 
General Charles Brown, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, released a video in 2020 that went viral sharing some of the things he was thinking about and included these statements about mentors: 
 
"I’m thinking about my mentors and how rarely I had a mentor that looked like me. I’m thinking about the sound advice that’s led to my success, and even so, that most of my mentors cannot relate to my experience as an African-American. I’m thinking about the pressure I felt to perform error-free, especially from supervisors who had expected less from me as an African-American. I’m thinking about having to represent by working twice as hard to prove their expectations and perceptions of African-Americans were invalid."
 
The Government Practice Section will be exploring ways that we can leverage the experiences of our members to reduce the information gaps that keep individuals on the outside looking in.  

If you would like to submit content or write an article for the Government Practice Section, please email Kara Sikorski at ksikorski@indybar.org.

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