In the last decade, “inclusion” has been redefined, stretched, and manipulated. Across corporate boardrooms and political stages, inclusion has devolved into box-checking, as if representation alone can capture the depth of American lives. Black, Hispanic, Trans, Spiritual—it’s all been commodified, packaged, and sold back to us. Yet, as I explore in my book, Black is NOT a Credential, the failure to grasp true inclusion has had serious consequences—not just politically, but for the social fabric of America.
Americans are tired of token gestures, tired of being told they’re represented because someone who “looks like them” is on a stage. When values aren’t aligned, is skin color really a guarantee of representation? We’ve yet to see real inclusion. What we have seen is identity-based politics that pressures people to fall in line or risk being labeled as traitors to their race or gender. This approach is a far cry from American ideals of freedom and individualism.
When leaders rally around candidates simply because they check an identity box, they signal that identity is a qualification. Nowhere was this clearer than in the recent election cycle, where voters were urged to choose candidates solely based on race and gender. It trivializes American voters' intelligence and undermines the very communities it claims to uplift. Reducing people to race or gender misses the point of what Americans want in their leaders and institutions.
In the corporate world, this plays out as companies rushing to create diverse teams for appearance’s sake, not authentic inclusion. Hiring based on identity alone doesn’t equate to real inclusion; it often excludes others, leading to divided, sensitive workplaces. Tokenism lets companies (or political parties) claim the “inclusive” label, but it rings hollow for those who’ve seen this show before.
Politics and corporate tokenism assume Americans don’t care about policies or principles, just identity markers. I’ve personally received countless messages encouraging me to join “Black Women for Harris” or “Women for Harris” calls without anyone once asking about my priorities. Americans, including Black women care about qualifications, integrity, and leaders who genuinely listen to their concerns. Lecturing from a privileged pedestal—Oprah, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, while waving the diversity flag can’t substitute for real engagement as the election results have shown.
Consider Bud Light’s misstep: To appear inclusive, they partnered with a transgender influencer, alienating core customers and tanking their sales. Just as consumers turned away from Bud Light, voters rejected identity-focused strategies. Americans are concerned about rising costs, community safety, and family security and couldn’t care less about who might become the first Black-Asian-Female President.
Both scenarios reveal a critical truth: leadership requires accountability and understanding your audience. Deflecting criticism by attributing failures to racism or sexism instead of reflecting on strategy only emphasizes a campaign’s disconnect.
Once hailing Harris as a transformative figure, the media is now flipping its stance, highlighting the emptiness of her endorsements. The public sees the truth and acts accordingly, regardless of how it's spun.
The lesson is simple–real inclusion must include everyone, not just certain groups. It has to be rooted in respect, understanding, and a connection that transcends demographic markers. Inclusive leadership unites people around shared values and aspirations. Identity politics fails because it reduces complex individuals to surface-level traits. And we are all so much more than that.
We’re done with token parades. America needs leaders who aren’t afraid to admit they don’t have all the answers but are willing to listen and put their needs first. Leaders who prioritize American values and our diverse beliefs and restore trust. It’s time we return to the values that unite us—respect, understanding, and a commitment to the common good. Recent election results show that Americans see through empty labels. Leadership isn’t about identity but connection, accountability, and the courage to stand for something real.
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