Tokenism can be one of the biggest roadblocks to real inclusion — and the tricky thing is, it often comes disguised as progress.
What is Tokenism?
Tokenism is when an organization makes a symbolic effort to be diverse without real structural change. Maybe you’ve seen it — hiring one person of color into a visible role but never promoting them, or showcasing diversity in marketing while decision-making rooms remain homogenous.
Why Tokenism Hurts
For individuals, tokenism creates pressure to speak for an entire group and leads to burnout. For organizations, it creates a false sense of accomplishment — leadership feels like diversity goals are “checked off,” even though inequities remain.
Moving Beyond Tokenism
Representation + Power – Representation matters, but influence matters more. Ensure diverse voices have decision-making authority.
Cultural Shifts – From policies to meeting norms, inclusion must be built into your daily operations.
Ongoing Education – DEI is not a one-and-done workshop; it’s a continuous process.
