When Whole Whale started our search for a DEI (Diversity Equity & Inclusion) consultant we weren’t sure where to start, which meant turning to Google. The truth is link rank and semantic relevance engines actually are a really poor way to find a good fit for something nuanced and important.
The following is a list of DEI companies and consultants that we either found or were referred to us by reputable sources and clients. Note that this is not exhaustive and we hope to continue to grow this list.
The following list of DEI consultants also have experience working with nonprofits and social impact organizations. Finding the right match depends on many factors including team size, length of engagement, internal needs, budget and confidence that they will meet your organization at the level where it is.
If you are interested in checking your site for inclusive language, Whole Whale has developed a free tool that can check your site. Learn how to select the right Nonprofit DEI Consultant from Nonprofit.ist.
DEI Consultants & Freelancers
Find the right experienced nonprofit DEI consultant near you and learn what is really involved with the process.
Verified Inclusivity Tool Partners
Embolden Action LLC
Website: https://www.emboldenaction.com/
From their website: “Our approach to community engagement, systems change, and diversity, equity & inclusion is collaborative and effective in maximizing strategies and tools for success. We challenge you to make a bold actionable approach to identifying the conditions that support successful change. We build community with our clients by focusing on internal success and their role within the organization and community systems. “
If you’re interested in becoming a Verified Inclusivity Tool Partner, please contact us here! Criteria for becoming a partner are listed below:
- Complete training with the Inclusivity Tool
- Use the Full Website Crawl Audit in your DEI work
Larger DEI Companies
These are DEI consulting companies that have more than 10 employees and tend to work with larger companies. Though many have DEI resources for companies of all sizes.
Cockerham & Associates
Website: https://cockerhamassociates.com/
Cockerham & Associates helps clients see results that matter. Their integrated technology and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) consulting can guide your organization in developing/refining, implementing, and effectively managing comprehensive DEI strategies, employee resource groups, and much more.
Peoplism
Website: https://peoplism.com/
Peoplism is a leading DEI consulting firm known for impact. By helping organizations adopt more fair processes and behaviors, Peoplism drives year-over-year increases in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. HR leaders at industry-defining organizations like ThredUp, Betterment, Grammarly and Everlaw trust Peoplism to create best-in-class company cultures that attract and retain a diverse workforce.
COLLECTIVE
Website: Hello-Collective.com
From their website: Collective partners with teams and organizations who want to build a culture that attracts, engages, and retains underrepresented talent. Our first step is acknowledging that this is an overwhelming process. Right after that, we dive in with honesty and humility so you can too. Whether you already know what you need to focus on, or aren’t quite sure how to define the task at hand, Collective’s team will co-create a plan with you.
Racial Equity Institute
Website: https://www.racialequityinstitute.com/
From their website: “Our process is designed to help leaders and organizations who want to proactively understand and address racism, both in their organization and in the community where the organization is working. The Racial Equity Institute, LLC process is just that: an 18-month to two-year process.”
The Management Center
Website: https://www.managementcenter.org/
From their website: “We want to see more social change in this country. We know that producing it is hard. Disparities in money and power mean that social justice advocates need to fight not just as effectively as their opponents, but more effectively. That’s where The Management Center comes in: we help social justice leaders learn how to build and run more effective, equitable, and sustainable organizations so that they can get better results.”
The Nova Collective
Website: https://www.thenovacollective.com/
From their website: “Nova is a black-owned, women-owned company devoted to transforming organizational cultures. Nova works with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Supplier Diversity (SD) leaders to build equity and achieve meaningful change, no matter where they are on the DEI journey.”
true north EDI
Website: https://www.truenorthedi.com/
From their website: “We work across spheres to develop the practices, policies, and beliefs of professional communities. We facilitate workshops and trainings, coach and develop teams and leaders, and consult and support systems-level change.”
She + Geeks Out
Website: https://shegeeksout.com/
From their website: ”We believe it’s necessary to take a holistic approach to addressing this need. We provide tech and tech-adjacent womxn and their allies an opportunity to network, learn, and connect with each other as well as with companies who want to hire them. At the same time, we support companies in their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts by providing them with the knowledge, skills, and tools to create an inclusive environment, in a safe and welcoming space.”
Mid-Sized DEI Companies
DEI consulting companies with 2 to 10 employees. These companies also have great resources for companies of any size.
Building For Mission
Website: https://buildingformission.com/
Building for Mission (BFM) is a talent strategy consulting company that partners with organizations to cultivate thriving multicultural teams at all levels, that increase business impact and ultimately contribute to a more just and equitable world. We bring deep expertise in the areas of REDI (Race, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion), People Development/Talent Management, & Organization Development (OD).
The Super Fundraiser
Website: https://www.thesuperfundraiser.com/
The Super Fundraiser is a boutique consulting firm that provides professional development and resources to recruit, onboard, manage and support the success of for nonprofit fundraising teams and for profit sales teams.
The Super Fundraiser has expertise in diversity and inclusion, best practices in hiring and culture building, managing teams that generate revenue, creating systems for strategic planning, building best in class fundraising and sales operations and supporting the transition of team members to leadership roles.
Sair Collective
Website: https://www.saircollective.com/
At SAIR, we know that diverse teams with authentic connection make better decisions and produce bottom line success. Through analysis, measurement, and people first interactions we engage deeply with customers to help them unlock the power of inclusive teams and cultures of belonging.
Becoming Better Together
Website: https://www.becomingbettertogether.com/
From their website: “BBT is a collective of coaches and consultants. We work with brave individuals and powerful organizations to create diverse, equitable, and inclusive cultures that achieve their biggest goals.”
Hyphens and Spaces
Website: https://hyphensandspaces.com/
From their Website: “we leverage diversity, build equity, and cultivate inclusion for people in organizations dedicated to furthering social causes and justice. We believe that by empowering the people who are striving to create a more equitable world, we can increase their net impact and multiply the good. In short, we care for and serve those who do this work so that they can care for and serve others. Our primary tools for initiating meaningful change include consulting on processes, offering learning programs, facilitating conversations, as well as coaching.”
Envisioning Equity
Website: https://www.envisioningequitywork.com
From their website: “There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to incorporating equity, diversity and inclusion. Organizations will approach this work in different ways, for different reasons. We determine the right approach for the most effective and impactful outcomes leading to transformation.”
Equity and Results
Website: https://www.equityandresults.com/
From their website: “We have powerfully joined Racial Equity Principles with a Results-Based Framework to transform your organization’s culture and actions to deliver racially equitable results.”
Red Lotus
Website: https://www.red-lotus-consulting.com/
From their website: “Working with you to support your personal and organization’s commitment to equity, justice, and inclusion.”
DevelopWell
Website: https://www.developwell.org/
From the website: “DevelopWell brings an innovative and holistic approach to developing people, teams, and culture in mission-driven organizations and companies.
With years of experience and expertise in organizing, start-ups, tech companies, and social-change organizations, we ensure that our clients are applying the best practices that will allow their teams to achieve their full potential.”
2 Brown Girls
Website: http://2brwngirls.com/
From their website: “Two Brown Girls Consulting Cooperative helps organizations transform at the individual, group and institutional levels. We work with organizations to build their capacity to live out their mission and professed values in ways that enliven and excite them.
We imagine a world where leaders are plentiful and developed with intention, organizations’ work explicitly builds capacity and power within communities forced to the margins, and where organizations get to actualize their mission in ways that are dynamic and transformative. We are not just facilitators or consultants–we are co-conspirators in your organization’s transformation.”
DEI & You Consulting
Website: https://deiandyou.com/
From their website: “At DEI & You Consulting our mission is to unlock individual potential by creating an efficient and inclusive organizational culture. By fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, our incremental approach enables greater collaboration, innovation, and tangible business value.”
Construct The Present
Website: https://www.constructthepresent.com/
From their website:
“Our approach to consulting and training centers around the goal of implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices in your daily workplace operations. Achieving a more inclusive and affirming culture begins with acknowledging that unfairness exists. Only when we recognize and face the systematic inequalities that exist for marginalized communities in our spaces can we begin to deconstruct them and build a more supportive and equitable future.
Driving real change begins with community members showing up for one another. It requires having the tough conversations and doing the work required to break down barriers and give voice to the unheard. We’re here to walk alongside you every step of the way, providing expert counsel and evidence-based training to help you build an inclusive, fair, and supportive organizational culture.”
Small Companies
These are DEI consulting companies with 1 listed person on staff. These companies have great blogs and resources around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for companies.
The Project 2043 Institute
Website: https://project2043.com/
From their website: “The Project 2043 Institute is a U.S.-based company whose mission is to educate and prepare organizations for an inclusive, equitable, and diverse multiracial society. With expert instruction, high engagement, and ongoing support, we help our partners create business systems and company cultures that welcome all. Our vision is a society where opportunity and access are equitable, and the inclusion of people with various racial, gender, ability, and other characteristics are normalized
Big 2Go
Website: https://big2go.com/
From their website: “Big 2Go is your destination for personal and organizational wellness. We offer wellness advising services, workshops, team retreats, and wellness journals, designed to help you enhance your inner well-being.”
YJLaurent Consulting
Website: https://yjlconsulting.com
From their website: YJLaurent Consulting is a diversity, equity & inclusion and talent management consulting firm providing transformative strategic talent and organizational development solutions. We drive sustainable and measurable outcomes through thought leadership, coaching and personalized strategic solutions in an effort to create more equitable and inclusive environments.
Culture Cipher
Website: http://culturecipher.org/
From their website: “Culture Cipher Consulting is a boutique consulting firm that focuses on building inclusive environments across industries. We know that the more an organization mirrors the diverse landscape in which we live, clients will design better products, provide better services, and ultimately, build a better world.”
CommunityConnective
Website: http://communityconnective.com/
From their website: “If you are wondering “Should I work with Heidi Massey?” consider the following questions: Does your organization need help with capacity building, equity/diversity/inclusion, or professional development?
Is your organization ready to become an anti-racist nonprofit?”
The Storman Group LLC
Website: https://thestormangroupllc.com/
From their website: The Storman Group, LLC. is committed to enhancing work cultures in higher education, human resources, and non-profit organizations; creating inclusive and welcoming work environments to assist with employee satisfaction and retention. Our goal is to impact culture by cultivating inclusive work environments.
A note on adding a resource
To be considered for inclusion for this article note that every company listed above was referred by a happy client. Please include a successful testimonial if you wish to be added to this DEI directory resource. Here is our contact form.