Our Journey to Something Different
Who we are
Different is a Black, Asian, Queer, Women, and Non-Binary owned diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting company, and we believe in doing DEI differently. We see human connection as a means to propel purpose-driven organizations into a different tomorrow. One where organizations foster diverse, equitable, and inclusive human-centered workplaces that welcome all people to bring their authentic selves to work – to do their best work.
Where we came from
Different was co-founded by Alex Suggs, Milka Milliance, and Grace Yi – three DEI practitioners in the industry who had worked at a number of highly-recognized organizations delivering process-driven, rather than human-centered methods of diversity, equity, and inclusion work. Disenchanted with the serious limitations that we were facing time and time again with the dozens of companies and high-growth startups we worked with, we knew that trying to help teams heal broken relationships, create and implement strategic initiatives, and provide learning and development workshops to develop awareness of one’s biases and lived experiences was only getting so far in the organization’s journey to cultivate a safe, healthy, and innovative work environment. We were only scratching the surface of deep social issues that were left unchecked for years that manifested into toxic workplace cultures where people felt unseen and under-valued.
We knew there had to be a different way for real, systems-wide change to happen for many of us who desired
a better, bolder, more sustainable workplace culture.
Looking back, each of us as co-founders of the company share a connection in our background that shaped our interest and desire to come into this work – and to eventually start a business together. For one, growing up, we each navigated spaces and places that left us feeling a deep sense of longing to belong. Feeling “othered” as queer, black, Asian, and immigrant in our identities significantly impacted who we wanted to be and how we wanted to be of service to the world. We also share the experience of seeing our parents strive, struggle, and find both success and failure as small business owners and entrepreneurs. The dream of making something for themselves and their loved ones left a lasting imprint on each of us. We believe that we can create something that is greater than us that can have a resounding impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands through the organizations we serve. The impact we want to have in the DEI industry is as real as the progress we've helped advance for many of the companies we have partnered with in the past.
Our entrepreneurial story didn’t start with us. We believe our story, similar to that of our families’ stories, is part of the larger narrative that isn’t always highlighted and captured in history. Like many other marginalized entrepreneurs finding success in industries that don’t reflect their experiences, we’re here to change that.
Looking to the future
We believe in order for DEI to be truly transformative, structural systemic solutions must be paired with a shift in mindsets and change in behaviors at all levels of an organization. Culture change moves at the pace of trust and building bridges for greater connection starts with an awareness and recognition of both our differences as well as what unites us. By taking a human-centric, holistic approach, we can pinpoint specific shifts needed across the self, each team, and the broader organization – all in favor of a more just and equitable workplace for all.
In the coming months, we’ll showcase trends that we believe need to come to the forefront in diversity, equity and inclusion work that will undergird the real, lasting change we see possible for organizations presently, and into the future.
If you think it’s time to approach DEI differently, contact us to learn more.
